WE ARE COV UNITY STATEMENT

We condemn the threat by the English Defence League (EDL) to bring ‘protest’ to Coventry on May 21^st. Fascist organisations such as the EDL and Britain First are trying to use the fear over terrorism and war to whip up racism and direct hatred against all Muslim people.

 

Coventry is a city which has a very proud tradition of promoting peace and unity. Our city was built on tolerance and respect for the huge contribution made to our city by people from many different backgrounds. Coventry has a proud history of combating racism in all it’s forms. Coventry is a great city, because it is built on immigration and by refugees finding sanctuary here. We must not give a quarter to those who would judge an entire religion, race or nationality by the actions of a few.

The EDL have no solutions for real problems in our society. They have nothing to offer on jobs, housing, young peoples services, education or the economy. The EDL offer no future for Coventry people of any background. The EDL want only to see Muslims attacked and a race war on our streets. We condemn them and oppose their attempts to call “demonstrations” to exploit these issues.

Jewish, Sikh and Hindu organisations have all spoken out publicly to condemn the EDL and have refused to be used by the racists and fascists. When EDL supporters tried to whip up Islamophobia under cover of a supposed LGBT ‘pride’ event in east London, local LGBT organisations refused to let the racists hijack the traditions of pride. We need to show we are not complacent. We will not allow the EDL to use our city as a platform for their agenda of hate. It is the EDL who are the outsiders and the violent threat to all in Coventry.

We also call on the media and politicians to stop using inflammatory language that feeds the fascists and racists. We must reject those who want to divide our communities and set them against each other, and stand fast to the ideals of anti-racism, multiculturalism and respect for all. We will therefore be supporting the #wearecov peaceful protest against the EDL in Coventry to celebrate our proud city and show that fascists will not be welcome here. We urge as many people as possible to support us and attend.

 

Please give your backing to this statement. Email to coventryunite@yahoo.co.uk or text 07503 668346

 

CALLED BY

Unite against Fascism – Coventry

SUPPORTED BY

Coventry Against Racism

Coventry Trade Union Council

Coventry and Warwickshire Peoples Assembly

PCS – Midlands Region

Unison – Coventry City Branch

Unite – WM6050 Coventry & Warwickshire Local Tom Mann Branch

Love Music Hate Racism – Coventry

Download the statement below:

edlunitystatement220416