It's time to stand up to the far right

Last Saturday, we were sickened to see the largest far-right rally in British history taking place on the streets of London. UKYCC and all of our members stand in solidarity with the communities that this demonstration sought to intimidate and endanger – we want to strongly emphasise that the fight for climate justice is inseparable from the fight for migrant justice, racial justice, trans rights, and equality for all.

Racism and xenophobia are not new in this country, but not for decades has the threat been so explicit. This rising tide of hatred in has been stirred up by Reform and Nigel Farage, and facilitated by successive Labour and Conservative governments, who have scapegoated migrants while allowing public services to crumble through underinvestment.

It is clear that young people and climate activists must do more to challenge the rise of the far right. This means standing against their violence in the streets and in our communities (for those who are safe and able to do so); collaborating with organisers fighting for the rights of migrants and others under attack; and building alternative models to advance social and economic wellbeing, through redistribution of wealth and power.

This resistance is essential first and foremost because of the real and immediate danger posed to ourselves, our friends, our neighbours – but also because a Reform government would have devastating effects for every progressive cause, including climate justice.

What we saw on Saturday was unmistakeably a racist, far-right demonstration, yet many of those in attendance have been driven to this position by hateful propagandists; a complicit media (including social media algorithms designed to promote violence and disinformation); and successive hostile governments.  

We need to challenge the false narratives that aim to divide us - it is not migrants but millionaires who are responsible for rampant inequality and exploitation; not migrants but misogynists (above all on the far right) who are to blame for the endemic culture of violence against women and children.

The rise of the far right is not inevitable. We can and must organise to reject this hatred in our communities, and to advance a fair future for people and planet.