Scots reject racism at the ballot box

**UPDATE**

The BNP have won two seats in the European election. A petition which says NOT IN MY NAME has been launched by ‘Hope not Hate’. The petition will be handed into the European Parliament on the day that the BNP take their seat. We'd like you to sign the petition as well - let's show the rest of the EU what we think of this new MEP:
http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/notinmyname

Candidates and anti racist campaigners today (Fri 29 May) received a warm reception on the streets of Glasgow as they urged Scottish voters to reject racist politics in next week’s Euro Elections.

The STUC, the mainstream political parties, and civic, faith and community groups campaigned on Glasgow’s streets with a large ballot paper to urge the electorate to vote for democracy, freedom and tolerance, and to reject the BNP.

STUC President Martin Keenan said: “The STUC is pleased to have brought together organisations representing hundreds of thousands of people from across Scotland, to show that we reject racism and fascism. The BNP has racist policies which play on people’s fears. Today we are sending a strong message to all voters, that we cannot allow apathy, or anger about MPs’ expenses to let the BNP in on 4 June”.

Euro election candidates from the Scottish Labour Party (David Martin and Catherine Stihler), the SNP (Ian Hudghton), the Scottish Conservatives (Gerald Michaluk), the Scottish LibDems (George Lyon), the Scottish Greens (Elaine Morrison), and the Scottish Socialist Party (Nick McKerrell), joined the STUC, Show Racism the Red Card, the Scottish Refugee Council, GARA and representatives from a wide range of civic, faith and community organisations.

Scottish trade unions, political, civic, community and faith organisations have signed up to the following statement to underline their opposition to racism:

“Scotland is a vibrant and diverse nation. There is no place in Scotland for politics that divide communities, promote hatred, and that whip up intolerance and violence. Scotland rejects racism and fascism”.

Signatories organisations to the statement include:

Black and Ethnic Minorities Infrastructure in Scotland (BEMIS)

Church of Scotland Church and Society Council

Engender

Equality Network

Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance

No2EU

Positive Action in Housing

Poverty Alliance

Scottish Conservative Party

Scottish Council of Jewish Communities

Scottish Green Party

Scottish-Islamic Foundation

Scottish Jews for a Just Peace

Scottish Labour Party

Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish National Party

Scottish Refugee Council

Scottish Socialist Party

Scottish Trades Union Congress

Show Racism the Red Card

Unite Against Fascism Scotland

Representatives from a broad range of organisations, together with the Euro election candidates participated in the photo call including:

Charles Kennedy MP

Jim Duffy – BBC Sports commentator / Manager Brechin City FC

Billy Singh – Show Racism the Red Card

Martin Keenan, President, STUC

Scottish Refugee Council

BEMIS

GARA

Scottish Jews for a Just Peace

UNISON

STUC

CWU