Billy Bragg has inspired folks to ship a transparent message to these searching for to divide the nation by turning out to help what is anticipated to be the largest multicultural march in UK historical past on Saturday.
Speaking to the Guardian earlier than the Together Alliance’s march against the far right in central London, the musician and political activist stated contributors hoped to “send out a message to our fellow citizens that we are willing to take a stand against [the politics of hate] being imported into the UK”.
The occasion, which is anticipated to attract lots of of hundreds of individuals, is supported by a variety of celebrities, together with the actors Christopher Eccleston, David Harewood, Lenny Henry, Steve Coogan, Toby Jones, Lolly Adefope and Maxine Peake, the musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church, Brian Eno and Beverley Knight, and the comic James Acaster.
Dozens of coaches will go away from throughout the nation on Saturday morning – together with 10 from Manchester alone – to start marching from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square at noon.
Two levels – one on Whitehall for speeches and one in Trafalgar Square for music, that are each free to attend – will function cross-party audio system and award-winning musicians, together with Self Esteem, Jessie Ware, Katy B, Joy Crookes, UB40, Fontaines DC, the Charlatans and Hot Chip.
Speeches are anticipated from the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the Green occasion chief, Zack Polanski, and the Labour MP Dawn Butler, in addition to commerce union leaders.
Bragg, who will carry out on the audio system’ stage, stated the political state of affairs within the UK and all over the world was shifting. “I think we’re in a situation where the idea of universal rights, the sort of postwar settlement after the Holocaust where we realised that rights had to belong to individuals if they were going to be protected … is being severely challenged by a policy that you might call ‘might is right’, where the strongest do what they want to the weakest.”
He stated Donald Trump was the de facto chief of the strategy, calling him a “blaring horn that never switches off”. “He’s like a constant reminder of the cruel realities of the politics of division,” he stated.
Bragg stated that message may very well be countered when folks got here collectively, and he anticipated the turnout to exceed that of the “unite the kingdom” rally in September final 12 months, during which 110,000 folks marched via the streets of London waving England flags and union jacks and chanting racist and anti-immigrant slogans.
“You see a lot of people out on the streets marching for the kind of politics that you want,” he stated. “And you feel, for a moment, you feel seen. You feel that your concerns are legitimate. And that’s a really important thing. It’s the start of something.”
Sabby Dhalu, of Stand Up to Racism, one of many members of the Together Alliance, stated: “Together was formed in response to last September’s far-right ‘unite the kingdom’ demonstration, when violent groups went on the rampage. The overwhelming majority of people reject the racism, Islamophobia, division, hatred and violence promoted by Tommy Robinson and the far right.
“This Saturday we will demonstrate that clearly. Tens of thousands will take to the streets of central London, bringing the same spirit of unity that helped bring the racist riots of 2024 to a halt.”
Bragg stated: “In the end, if we believe in those basic fundamental values of empathy, then we’re going to need that. Because that’s the one thing that Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage and Donald Trump seem to lack – any sense of empathy whatsoever.
“And that angers me because I’m in the empathy business, that’s what music does. It makes you feel that you’re not alone. So that’s why we’re in this fight.”
