UCU response to far-right riots

Both physical threats of violence, and the unseen psychological toll of racist intimidation are all too real for many of our Black and Muslim staff and members. We are also seeing increased threats to Jewish communities and the abominable use of Nazi symbols such as swastikas. Racialised communities and public buildings are being deliberately targeted, and reports suggest there is further violence planned by the far right for today and this weekend.

We know that you, your loved ones, your colleagues, and your students may be worried about safety when traveling to and from places of work and learning. Your safety must be paramount. If you feel at risk in any way, we advise you to get in touch with your line manager and log your concerns as a safety issue. We hope that in all instances your manager will help find ways to mitigate these. If this is not the case, then we advise contacting your union branch for advice on how best to address your specific concern and collectively engage your institution about the wider issues. Take a moment too to check in with colleagues and friends, particularly those most vulnerable to possible attack. This is the time they need our solidarity.

We have also produced the following statement. Please share it widely. We understand that not everyone will feel safe attending solidarity events and demonstrations. But if you do, we encourage you to turn up--always travelling in groups. There are also other ways to show your solidarity and support, such as reaching out to local communities who have been singled out for attack and attending any local clean-up operations or donating to help repair and rebuild places that have been attacked.

Finally, we believe there is a broader role for our union to play during this period and beyond. These attacks have not happened in a vacuum. For years we have seen increasing Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Black racism, alongside a permanent hostile environment. At the same time, hard-right views have been normalised in public life, thanks to our political and media class scapegoating and indulging in hatred of migrants and refugees.  

We will continue campaigning for proper public investment in our institutions. Not only to improve the working lives of UCU members, but because there is no greater force for advancing unity and social cohesion than education. Subjecting our colleges and universities to austerity and neglect any longer would therefore be catastrophic.

As a union, our duty is to take the fight against racism and fascism into every workplace and community we have a foothold in. There will always be those who organise--from above and from below--to divide us and sow hatred. As educators and trade unionists, we will work tirelessly to defeat them.

In solidarity

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary
Maxine Looby, UCU president