David Lammy MP and 28 Haringey Councillors call for united response to Tommy Robinson & Trump visit

STATEMENT

The 15,000 strong violent far right protest to ‘free Tommy Robinson’ on Saturday 9 June has raised major questions for all those who value our diversity. 

The racist right—from hardcore Nazis, through the FLA/DFLA to ‘For Britain’ and UKIP—are using Robinson to reorganise. Nazi salutes and Islamophobia were at the centre of the mobilisation. 

This is the first serious attempt since the collapse of the English Defence League (EDL) to develop a racist street movement and give it a political form.

It is supported internationally by notorious figures including Geert Wilders from the Dutch Islamophobic right and Steve Bannon, former adviser to Donald Trump. 

It is vital that all who oppose this come together in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive these new developments on the far-right back. 

Donald Trump has played a major role in galvanising the racist right. We will take to the streets for the Together Against Trump demonstration coinciding with his visit on 13 July. And when Robinson’s supporters take to the streets again on 14 July we will protest against them too. 

Wherever the far right’s support grows so does racism and violence. Let’s come together to defend our multicultural society from those who spread hatred and division. 

SIGNATORIES

David Lammy Tottenham MP

Councillor Adam Jogee

Councillor Anne Stennett

Councillor Dana Carlin

Councillor Daniel Stone

Councillor Elin Weston, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families

Councillor Emine Ibrahim, Dep. Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing & Estate Renewal

Councillor Gideon Bull, Labour Group Chief Whip

Councillor Ishmael Osamor, Deputy Cabinet Member for Broadwater Farm Resident Engagement

Councillor Isidoros Diakides

Councillor James Chiriyankandath

Councillor Joseph Ejiofor, Leader of the Council

Councillor Khaled Moyeed

Councillor Kirsten Hearn, Cabinet Member for Environment

Councillor Lucia das Neves

Councillor Mahir Demir

Councillor Makbule Gunes, Deputy Cabinet Member for Women and Equalities

Councillor Matt White

Councillor Mike Hakata

Councillor Patrick Berryman, Cabinet Member for Finance

Councillor Peray Ahmet, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health

Councillor Peter Mitchell

Councillor Preston Tabois

Councillor Ruth Gordon

Councillor Sarah James

Councillor Sarah Williams

Councillor Sheila Peacock, Deputy Mayor

Councillor Yvonne Say

Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Civic Services

Khaled Moyeed, BAME Officer for Tottenham Labour Party said:

"Our government should not be rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump. His actions are reminiscent of how the Nazis treated Jews in the 1930s from separating babies from their parents to referring to immigrants as 'animals'. We are taking to the streets on 13 July to show our 'zero tolerance' of Trump's racist policies. Trump is not welcome here.

Trump has emboldened the far right racists across the Western world including in the UK. We recently saw fascists marching in central London for Tommy Robinson giving Nazi salutes. They are threatening to march again on 14 July. We will again be out on the street that day opposing these fascists. These are our streets and fascists have no place here."  

Notes to editors: 

1. Together Against Trump National Demonstration Fri 13 July coinciding with visit of Donald Trump to Britain. Over 200k people over several facebook events registering interest. 2pm BBC Portland Place, Rally from 5pm Trafalgar Square. Further details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/176581893155207/ 

2. Unity Protest against Tommy Robinson's far-right supporters Sat 14 July 2pm, Downing St. Further details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/169517280565963/ 

For quotes and further information: email haringey.sutr@gmail.com