St Andrew's Day Online Rally - Join us on 27th November at 12 noon

Please join us on Saturday 27th November 2021 for our annual St Andrew's Day rally against racism and fascism, being held online once again this year.

The event will take place from 12 noon until 1.15pm. You can join us from our Facebook event by clicking HERE

It will be chaired by ATUC Executive member, Fiona Napier and will hear from trade unionists from local branches as well as speakers from further afield, representing Aberdeen Trades Union Council's commitment to international solidarity in the fight against racism and fascism. We will also have some music and poetry in the mix so it promises to be a lively and interesting event.

ATUC president, Graeme Farquhar, who will be opening the event said: "Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland has a proud history of opposing racism and fascism and of international solidarity.

"We are proud to see this tradition  continue as we welcome refugees and asylum seekers from Syria and Afghanistan as well as migrants from many other countries and other parts of Scotland and the UK.

"But we must be constantly vigilant as we see attempts including by this UK Tory government, to demonise migrants and asylum seekers and to sow division. 

"Like the STUC event, our rally today will underline our commitment to root out racism and fascism in all its forms and to send the message loud and clear. Refugees are welcome here."

Take One Action 2020 Film Festival

This year's Take One Action film festival runs from 16th-27th September, with tickets on sale on a "pay what you can" basis.

Take One Action nurtures communal exploration of the stories, ideas and questions at the heart of positive social change. Through film screenings, conversation and enquiry, we bring people together to inspire a fairer, more sustainable and more fulfilling world, in Scotland and beyond our borders.

From freedom of the press to prison reform, from labour rights in the garment industry to indigenous rights and climate justice our programme offers a much-needed opportunity to connect with some of our planets most pressing issues - and to (re-)connect with our power to be the change.

See the trailer here, or go direct to their website for more information at https://www.takeoneaction.org.uk/events/

Vigil remembers the lives lost in Christchurch and pledges to fight hatred with hope and love

Over 100 people came together at a vigil in Aberdeen's St Nicholas Square on 18th March, to remember all those killed in the terror atrocity in two mosques in Christchurch and to stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters in the North East of Scotland.

The vigil was compered by ATUC President, Sasha Brydon. He told those gathered that the vigil was to give people an opportunity to come together to express our deepest condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the terrible shootings in two mosques in Christchurch last week and to express our outrage that once again, the politics of hate have resulted in the deaths of 50 innocent people who were doing no more than peacefully practicing their religion.

Sasha said, "We wanted to stand in solidarity with our Muslim communities in the North East of Scotland as we have stood with other communities before now who have been the victims of senseless violence for no more reason than they have a different religion or race or gender.

"But most of all we want to pledge to continue our fight against all forms of extremism, to oppose the politics of hate wherever they raise their head. The rise of the far right is a stain on us all and we will stand against it with hope and with love," pledged Sasha.

Speaker after speaker condemned the killings and urged us all to stand together against hatred and to fight it with hope and love.

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East - Report of Rally

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Castlgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

 However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

  To see more photos from the event go to our Facebook Album.

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Gallowgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.  However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

Huntly meets Syria Night Saturday 15th Oct. All welcome

Please get along if you can to Huntly meets Syria, a ceilidh on 15 Oct at 7pm, in Stewart's Hall, Huntly to welcome the 50 refugees who have been relocated in Aberdeenshire

There will be people of all ages there and so everyone is welcome - tickets are £7, with the money going to the Syrian new Scots, but free for under 16s. The entry fee can be waived in exchange for bringing a dish on the night. This must be either halal or vegetarian - please phone me in advance if you want to cook something!

Organisers, Deveron Arts are also looking for any volunteers to donate raffle prizes and help out on the night.

More info here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huntly-meets-syria-tickets-28397534791https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huntly-meets-syria-tickets-28397534791

LAJEE TO ABERDEEN: A CELEBRATION OF PALESTINIAN CULTURAL RESISTANCE

Join us on Tuesday 19th July at 6pm at Queens Cross Church, Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB10 1YN  in welcoming Lajee Center to Scotland.


Coming from Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, 21 Palestinian youths will be performing traditional dabke dance and speaking about their life and work in Aida Camp and Palestine.

Lajee Center is bringing over a wonderful group of young artists, dancers, musicians, photographers and film-makers - this is their opportunity to share their stories, life and struggle under occupation with Aberdeen. 

Please come along, listen, learn, enjoy, and support freedom for Palestine!

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has donated to sponsor this event in Aberdeen. 

ALL WELCOME!

Suggested donations £10/£5 (unwaged/student)

Statement from Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) in the aftermath of the EU Referendum result

With thanks to Renee Slater for the image

ATUC has been deeply concerned at much of the tone of the EU Referendum debate, which, at its worst has been typified by hatred, vitriol and misinformation which has done a huge disservice to our democracy and values. We deplore the demonisation of migrants and the attempts to undermine the value of immigration to our society which has dominated much of the debate.

Since the vote to leave, we have seen a rise in racist violence, threats and intimidation across the country but also in Scotland and in the North East. We condemn this entirely. We wish to make it clear that the ATUC rejects racism in all its ugly forms and will oppose all those who fuel it.

In the North East of Scotland we have a proud history of welcoming those fleeing oppression, violence and poverty and the ATUC will continue to support immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

STUC 2016 - Congress backs ATUC call to welcome refugees

Congress supported a call from Aberdeen Trades Union Council amongst others to support refugees and those seeking asylum is Scotland, and called for the UK and Scottish Government to welcome more refugees than currently planned.

Speaking on behalf of the ATUC, Kevin Hutchens focussed on the plight of refugees stranded on the borders of Europe. He told delegates that what is shown on TV is only a small part of the human tragedy that is taking place daily. Systems for receiving and dealing with people needing international protection are not working or absent.

Stand up to Racism - Refugees Welcome Here - All Scotland March & Rally in Glasgow Sat 19th March 2016

On the 19th March 2016 on United Nations Anti-racism day this important march and rally will coincide with demonstrations across the world, which will gather to send out a positive message "No to racism, no to fascism, refugees are welcome here!"

There will be a coach going to the above from Aberdeen sponsored and funded by Unite the Union and Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

The coach will leave from Hillhead Halls at Aberdeen University at 7.15am and then at King's College at 7.30am and finally at Marischal College at 7.45am on the 19th March to go to the March and Rally in Glasgow. The coach will depart for its return journey from Glasgow George Square at the War Memorial at 4.00pm.

Anyone interested in coming on the coach should email Gerry McCabe at mccabegerard@yahoo.co.uk

Anti austerity and Refugees are Welcome Here Rally in Aberdeen on Sunday 13th September. Please get along and support!

The Radical Independence Campaign in Aberdeen is hosting an Anti-Austerity/Refugees are Welcome Here demonstration on Sunday 13th September at 2pm in the Castlegate, Aberdeen.

The ATUC urges all delegates, associates and affliated union members to get along to this important event.

Doug Haywood of RIC said, "A year after Aberdeen's biggest ever flashmob, let's show Westminster what we think of their austerity agenda.

"With foodbank collection and charities information, speakers and stalls it promises to be a great event. All are welcome and it is completely non party political.

"So far, speakers are confirmed from RIC Aberdeen, Aberdeen CND, Future Choices and Community Food Initiatives North East, plus music from Guarana Drummers."

Click here for more information.

ATUC pledges support for refugees

In keeping with our commitment to international solidarity, delegates attending the ATUC meeting on 2nd September pledged support for refugees fleeing war torn countries like Syria and condemned the uncaring approach of this Tory Government.

The ATUC is calling on all delegates, associates and affiliated trade unions to do what they can to support the local group Aberdeen Solidarity with Refugees which has been collecting donations of clothes, bedding and other essentials to take to Calais.