Rally in defence of Ameen Hadi, 18 March. Photo: Penny Hicks
Anti-racist, anti-war and other activists united to rally in defence of Ameen Hadi who has been suspended from Salford City Council after a far-right campaign
Up to 200 people gathered outside Salford Town Hall in defence of anti-racist campaigner and trade union activist, Ameen Hadi.
Fascists orchestrated a mass complaint to Ameen’s employer, Salford City Council which resulted in his suspension pending investigation.
Ameen was filmed defending himself while protecting Hannah Spencer MP at a Together Alliance rally in Manchester where she was physically intimidated by far right agitators.
Trade unionists, anti-war and climate campaigners (all of whom have had protests attacked) came together to show solidarity with Ameen and also to stand together against this fascist activity in the city.
Tommy Robinson encouraged followers to call for his sacking, resulting in thousands of emails to the council. The union office is also temporarily closed.
Greater Manchester Stop the war Coalition has called a meeting of anti-fascists to coordinate our response to this attempted intimidation.
Preston Independent councillor sent the following letter to the Salford City Council Mayor and is encouraging others to adapt and send to [email protected]
| Dear Paul Bennett, Salford Mayor, My name is Michael Lavalette, a Lancashire County Councillor representing Preston Central East Ward. I am writing to you about Ameen Hadi, a trade unionist and lifelong anti-racist campaigner who has been placed under investigation by Salford City Council. As far as I can see, Salford City council have suspended Ameen as a result of a campaign of malicious allegations of assault driven by followers of Tommy Robinson and far right YouTube channels. At an anti-racist gathering in Manchester on Sunday 8 March far-right activists and YouTubers harassed and tried to physically assault newly elected MP for Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spencer. Under the ‘Operation Ford’ protocols, the police, who were in attendance, should have moved to quickly make safe the MP. A video of the events clearly shows significant failings on the part of GM Police. In the failure of police action Ameen was one of a number of people who put themselves in danger to protect Hannah Spencer MP. The video of the incident shows Ameen being surrounded and assaulted by far right activists and it shows Hannah Spencer MP for Gorton and Denton being harassed, intimidated and threatened by Far right and transphobic YouTubers as she was attempting to leave. It is clear to me that Ameen Hadi has become the victim of a targeted campaign by far-right forces. This view is reinforced by the threatening, racist, violent, abusive messages received by Salford City Unison, resulting in the temporary closure of the office. The far right has a history of violent intimidation and extreme violence, including the murder of MP Jo Cox. The actions of Salford City Council not only endanger the employment and safety of Ameen Hadi, it encourages the far right to launch a malicious and vexatious campaign against any council employee, Unison member, or campaigner. At this time of the growth of the far right across the UK, Salford Council should be standing against the Far Right, rather than victimising Black workers and trade unionists, for nothing more than standing up for equality. In a very short space of time over 1,500 people have signed a petition in support of Ameen and Salford Unison, including national, regional and local trade union leaders, as well as councillors, anti-racists and other campaign, faith and civic groups. This indicates a groundswell of support following this vicious far right campaign against them. We call on Salford City Council to take the following actions: 1. Immediately end the disciplinary proceedings against Ameen. 2. Take action (alongside other Local Authorities) with the Police, against far right monetised YouTubers, whose harassment, intimidating and at times violent behaviour, aims at stopping the legitimate right to protest 3. To issue a statement in support of Together Against the far Right and to publicise and donate towards the transport to London from Salford. With very best wishes, Councillor Michael Lavalette Lancashire County Council (Preston Central East Division) |
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