Counter-protest takes message of solidarity and hope to Peterhead to challenge far right

Aberdeen trades union council activists were joined by Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) and other union and community activists to stand against the far right rally in Peterhead on Saturday 9 August.

In a symbolic protest that demonstrated clear opposition to the far right's racism and messages of hate against vulnerable groups, counter protesters gathered to give out leaflets highlighting that migrants are not to blame for austerity and the cost of living crisis. 

Passers-by were mostly welcoming and willing to hear our own message that it is the richest and government policy to blame for cuts to public services, the problems in the NHS and growing poverty in communities. There are now 150 billionaires in the UK who have amassed more and more wealth as the rest of us have got poorer. They are the ones to be targeted - not vulnerable people fleeing war and oppression in the hopes of safety. 

Speakers from DPAC and other community groups echoed this point and condemned the attempt of the far right to set vulnerable people against each other, pledging that we would stand united and refuse their narrative of division. 

Tommy, ATUC President, in addressing all those who had gathered at Drummers Corner pointed out that the problems with the cuts in our local  public services , the cuts in state benefit payments/allowances  and local services in support  of  people with disabilities could be prevented if the super rich were forced by the Government to pay a wealth tax. 

"It's the millionaires and billionaires who should be blamed for the cost of living crisis faced by everyone in our communities," he said, condemning Aberdeenshire Council for the wasteful spending of £400,000 of our taxpayers money on a bandstand that was not needed nor wanted by the people of Peterhead.  

"That money should have been spent on local services such as day care centres and protecting council workers from being made redundant. The ATUC wants to see proper planned investment in farming, fishing and oil and gas jobs by way of a Just Transition for all workers that secures their jobs and  protects their pay & conditions," he added.

Tommy concluded by saying that we should all stand together against any form of hatred because we are all Jock Tamsons Bairns. We should all point the finger of blame at the super rich who should be made to pay their full taxes and when this happens we all be much better off.

Kate, ATUC Secretary, in response to an invite from one of the far right speakers to explain why we were there, went up on their stage and spoke to the crowd. She told the rally that we agreed with them about cuts and austerity but not with their racist targeting of vulnerable migrants. We were there because we stand against hate, racism and fascism.

She pointed to their placards about protecting women and children. "Violence against women has grown hugely," she said. "But that is down to white men, not migrants." Shouting over the boos she told them that this was statistical fact and that they were operating on and sharing misinformation.

She challenged them to listen to a woman speak. However they were unwilling to hear more and turned off the mic. 

Many of the counter protesters then joined the protest in Aberdeen at the asylum hotel, where the far right were vastly outnumbered, when very few from Peterhead joined them.