Crowds have gathered outside the Home Office Home Office to protest the increase of racism and animosity and to show solidarity with black Labour MP Diane Abbott.
Activists gathered in central London for the Stop The Hate national demonstration which included a rally and a march to Whitehall.
During the afternoon and under a significant police presence, they held a lively dance party with pink smoke in the central area of Whitehall in front of Downing Street between the Cenotaph and The Women of World War II memorial.
Other events are taking place in Glasgow and Cardiff as part of the Stand Up To Racism campaign.
Banners stating: ‘Racism is extremism’; ‘freedom is a constant struggle’; ‘refugees welcome’; ‘say no to Islamophobia’; and ‘stamp out antisemitism, yes to diversity’ were held by the demonstrators.
Enthusiastic cheers erupted as Labour MP John McDonnell, who previously served as shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn, addressed the crowd outside the Home Office: ‘I am here today in solidarity with my friend, my colleague, my comrade, Diane Abbott.’
He also led those gathered in a chant of ‘no justice, no peace’, before adding: ‘If the Labour party want to be perceived as an anti-racist party, there is one simple step that can be done today, and that is Sir Keir Starmer restoring the whip to Diane Abbott.’
The party suspended Ms Abbott 11 months ago for saying Irish, Jewish and Traveller people do not face racism ‘all their lives’.
She retracted her remarks the same day and apologized ‘for any anguish caused’.
Earlier this week Ms Abbott, who currently sits as an independent MP, spoke out about racism in politics, a day after being denied a chance to take part in a Commons debate about a Tory donor’s criticism of her.
Frank Hester is reported to have said the MP made him want ‘to hate all black women’ and that she ‘should be shot’.
Ms Abbott said she had been ‘upset’ by the comments, but was ‘hardened to racist abuse’.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that Mr Hester had apologized and his ‘remorse should be accepted’.
Trade unions, the Jewish Socialist Group along with other faith groups and grassroots campaigns were among supporters of Saturday’s demonstration which the organizers said was part of a ‘mass campaign by a broad coalition of forces drawing in anti-racists everywhere’.
They added such action ‘is going to be critical in the fight to ensure that the politics of racism, division and hate are not allowed to gain a foothold here in Britain and if we are to stop the rise of the new far right’.
Mr McDonnell remembered years of campaigning in the UK, where activists protested in the streets against discrimination, antisemitism, and racism. However, he suggested that now they are having to protest in response to people in power.
He said Ms Abbott is not seen as a victim, but she faces racism 'daily' from various groups. He praised her bravery, courage, determination, and solidarity to the crowd.
Earlier, Mr McDonnell stated, 'I believe people are mobilizing in such large numbers because we are witnessing the resurgence of racism in our society.
'People from all walks of life, ages, and beliefs are coming together and saying “this is not the society we want, we need to expose what is happening and counter it at the same time”.’
He expressed that Ms Abbott not being allowed to speak in parliament this week, when she was the subject of a race row debate, was 'disrespectful because we have a duty of respect and care'.
Mr McDonnell added: ‘She should have been given the opportunity to state her position regarding what was being said about her, and I was absolutely shocked she wasn’t given that chance. Lessons need to be learned.’
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