The toxic narrative in mainstream politics that scapegoats refugees, migrants and Muslims for social problems created by austerity is giving confidence for racists to go on the attack.  We have seen a wave of protests and attempted riots outside refugee accomodation, racist marches and attacks on Mosques and Synagogues.  Many individuals have also been subject to racist attacks.

The number of reports by nurses of racist incidents at work has risen by 55% over three years, according to analysis by the RCN.  British Transport Police recorded a 46.6 per cent rise in racist incidents between 2022 and 2024, and a 10 per cent rise from last year to the same period this year of 1 January-1 September.  The details of these crimes are shocking: they include battery, sexual assault of girls and boys, theft, threatening with a blade, death threats, indecent exposure, grievous bodily harm, attacks on police and beating up emergency workers.

These figures are just a snapshot of the scale of racist attacks taking place.

We need a movement big enough to end the growing acceptability of racism and racist behaviour.  Our movement needs to be big and broad enough to outnumber the 100,000+ that attended Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's (Tommy Robinson) fascist rally in September and to pressure politicians to retreat from stoking racism to divert peoples' attention from their role in perpetuating cuts and austerity.

The growth of support for Reform UK raises the prospect of Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister and implementing the racist policy of brutal mass deportations being enacted under the Trump adminsitration in the US.

The Oxford Unity community march is a step in building the kind of mass united movement we need to prevent racists tearing our communities apart. Join us this Sunday.

OXFORD UNITY MARCH AND RALLY

Join us to stand together as one community - celebrating the city we share

Sunday 16th November

Assemble 12:30 Templars Square centre, Barns Road, OX4 3RQ

People with limited mobility can join the march at Manzil Way Green, Cowley Road at 1:30pm, or at St Mary the Virgin Church, on the High St at 2:15pm.

Celebrate our diverse city of sanctuary where migrants and refugees are welcome and we stand together against Islamophobia and antisemitism

Supported by: Oxford Stand Up To Racism,  Oxford City UNISON, Oxford Women Against the Far Right, Oxfordshire UNISON Health branch, CWU South Central Postal, NEU Oxfordshire, Fire Brigades Union, Oxon and Bucks PCS, Indian workers' Association GB Oxford branch, Oxford & District Trades Council, Oxford Mutual Aid, City College UCU, Jewins - Women2women, Oxford Love Music Hate Racism, Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed, Oxfordshire Disabled People Against the Cuts, Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Oxford UNITE Health, Oxford Student Action for Refugees, Oxford Open Door, Oxford Students for Palestine