Newsroom

Trade Unionists and anti-racist campaigners mark one year of fight against local fascists

On Sunday, the 4th of February, trade unionists and anti-racists will come together to mark a year since the beginning of weekly protests in Erskine.

In 2023, nearly 200 asylum seekers were placed in temporary accommodation at the Muthu Hotel in Erskine. Local fascists, first in the form of Patriotic Alternative, later as Homeland, turned up to intimidate the asylum seekers and sow hatred in the community.

However, the community came together and fought back. Led by Paisley Trades Council, community members, trade unionists and anti-racist campaigners have faced down the far-right weekly, and have built friendships and alliances along the way.

Sunday the 4th will see speeches from Mike Arnott, Dundee TUC, Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary of the STUC and Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron.

Robert Parker, Secretary of Paisley Trades Council, stated:

“I really have to commend the many people who have turned up every week over the last year to confront the racists and fascists.

“While it’s disappointing that we’re still here a year on, we’ve been lucky to get to come together and meet new comrades with a shared outlook on life. People who believe that asylum seekers and refugees are welcome here, and fascists are not.

“We’ve faced intimidation, including assaults on Christmas Eve, but we have stood steadfast in our belief that fascists in the UK must be confronted and challenged.

“I’m proud of the commitment shown and grateful for the friendships made, particularly with the hotel residents.”

**Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary of the STUC, stated: **

“The campaigners in Erskine are a shining example of what is best about the trade union movement: unwavering solidarity.

“They have turned up, week after week, often in terrible weather conditions, to show their support for the asylum seekers in the hotel. The UK Government has been callous towards these asylum seekers, placing them in hotel accommodation and leaving them in limbo for months and months. Fascists have tried to capitalise on this, but their attempts to gain significant footing in the Erskine community have failed. This is thanks to the local trade unionists and campaigners who have shown that asylum seekers and refugees are welcome here.”