The racist nationalism on display in London over the past weekend is deeply worrying and unacceptable. The LUCU Equality Officer and Committee extend our concern and solidarity to members who have been negatively affected by the far-right demonstration, and who fear or are experiencing racist abuse on the streets.
We recognise these actions, alongside the nationwide St George’s and Union flag display campaign, as part of an international backlash against the progressive, inclusive politics of race that has gained ground in recent years. Anti-migrant, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic sentiment is now brazenly espoused by racist leaders globally, creating an extremely hostile and threatening climate for racialised and immigrant communities.
We are here to help and support members in navigating these difficult times, which are particularly challenging when the police, to whom crimes are normally reported, may not be trusted by some, due to a history of institutional racism. We must therefore rely more heavily on community support and alternative reporting mechanisms for safety.
We encourage everyone to look out for one another, urge white British allies to actively speak up against racist behaviour, and suggest racially minoritised people take extra care in public spaces and maintain regular check-ins with trusted contacts. The Bay Area Transformative Justice pod mapping technique may be a useful tool for helping think through who you can trust and rely on in your community.
If you need immediate mental health support, the Education Support Partnership runs a 24/7 helpline. Do not hesitate to report any hate crimes that you may witness or experience on StopHateUK and/or the LU reporting portal. Our casework team, as well as the REACH Network and International Staff Group are additional possible sources of solidarity and support.
We urge everyone affected by these issues to stay engaged with anti-racist advocacy organisations such as Stand Up To Racism, the Runnymede Trust, and StopHateUK. You can also join public conversations about how to combat the rising tide of racism, such as this upcoming webinar,‘How to Turn the Tide on the Racial Backlash Against EDI (DEI)’ (25 Sept, free).
The LUCU Equality Officer and Committee will continue monitoring the situation and are available to meet with members who would like to discuss collective ways to address the current moment.