Category: antisemitism

Proposals that seek to limit the right to peaceful protest must be rejected, says UNISON

UNISON is extremely concerned at recent reports that Lord Walney, the government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, has proposed that MPs, councillors and Labour-affiliated unions cut ties and no longer engage with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

UNISON completely opposes these proposals and limits on the right to peaceful protest, and urges the government and opposition parties to reject them.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign does not support protests outside the homes of elected representatives.

UNISON defends the right to peaceful protest outside MPs offices, town halls and Parliament. It also upholds the right of MPs and their staff to work without fear of intimidation or harassment.

UNISON was one of the first UK unions to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. It has also repeatedly called for full access to humanitarian assistance, the immediate and safe release of hostages and an end to the blockade of Gaza.

The union has encouraged branches and members to participate in peaceful protests in support of these demands and appealed for support for the emergency medical response in both Palestine and Israel.

The situation in Palestine and Israel has always been an international priority for UNISON and the union has consistently called for an end to the occupation and for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state alongside Israel.

UNISON condemns the appalling rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia seen in recent months.

The article Proposals that seek to limit the right to peaceful protest must be rejected, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Proposals that seek to limit the right to peaceful protest must be rejected, says UNISON

UNISON is extremely concerned at recent reports that Lord Walney, the government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, has proposed that MPs, councillors and Labour-affiliated unions cut ties and no longer engage with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

UNISON completely opposes these proposals and limits on the right to peaceful protest, and urges the government and opposition parties to reject them.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign does not support protests outside the homes of elected representatives.

UNISON defends the right to peaceful protest outside MPs offices, town halls and Parliament. It also upholds the right of MPs and their staff to work without fear of intimidation or harassment.

UNISON was one of the first UK unions to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. It has also repeatedly called for full access to humanitarian assistance, the immediate and safe release of hostages and an end to the blockade of Gaza.

The union has encouraged branches and members to participate in peaceful protests in support of these demands and appealed for support for the emergency medical response in both Palestine and Israel.

The situation in Palestine and Israel has always been an international priority for UNISON and the union has consistently called for an end to the occupation and for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state alongside Israel.

UNISON condemns the appalling rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia seen in recent months.

The article Proposals that seek to limit the right to peaceful protest must be rejected, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia

UNISON has produced a new guide to help members and activists understand antisemitism and Islamophobia.

As both antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise and regularly discussed in the media, the briefing has been produced with Hope not hate to help activists better understand specifically how racism manifests itself in the context of the current conflict in Gaza.

Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia guide

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “We all have a responsibility to tackle the unprecedented increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia we have seen in recent months.

“Education is the first stage on that journey. I hope this guide helps to increase our understanding and awareness, so we are better able to confront and avoid antisemitism and Islamophobia in our union and communities.”

Members can contact their local branch or region if they experience either antisemitism or Islamophobia – or you may also wish to contact the national equality team by emailing equality@unison.co.uk

The article Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia

UNISON has produced a new guide to help members and activists understand antisemitism and Islamophobia.

As both antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise and regularly discussed in the media, the briefing has been produced with Hope not hate to help activists better understand specifically how racism manifests itself in the context of the current conflict in Gaza.

Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia guide

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “We all have a responsibility to tackle the unprecedented increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia we have seen in recent months.

“Education is the first stage on that journey. I hope this guide helps to increase our understanding and awareness, so we are better able to confront and avoid antisemitism and Islamophobia in our union and communities.”

Members can contact their local branch or region if they experience either antisemitism or Islamophobia – or you may also wish to contact the national equality team by emailing equality@unison.co.uk

The article Understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Marking Holocaust Memorial Day

Every year UNISON marks Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and death camp.

We remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, LGBT+ people, Black people, trade unionists and political opponents of the Nazis.

We also remember and commemorate the victims of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Each year, Holocaust Memorial Day has a specific theme, which for 2023 is Ordinary People.

This theme will enable us to think about the lives of ordinary people caught up as victims. It will focus attention on the way that the silence and complicity of ordinary people also allowed these terrible events to occur.

It charges us to recommit as a trade union to bringing our collective efforts to bear to challenge antisemitism, intolerance and the politics of division and hate.

The Holocaust Memorial Trust has produced free guides and resources to help your workplace or UNISON branch organise events and activities around this theme.

The trust has also created guides to getting involved that feature tailored advice to support trade unions and workplaces organising activities to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

To find out more, access a wide range of resources and order free activity packs, visit the trust’s website at hmd.org.uk.

No matter the scale of your event or activity, the trust would welcome learning about how your workplace or UNISON branch commemorates the day. Whether your activity is private or open to the public, you can let them know here.

The Holocaust Education Trust also offers guidance notes and suggested readings which you can access here.

UNISON also supports the work of Generation 2 Generation (G2G), a charity that provides speakers to tell their family Holocaust stories online or face-to-face to a variety of audiences.

Through these engaging and historically accurate presentations, integrating first-hand survivor testimony, G2G works to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are learned, promoting tolerance of all groups in society.

You can find out more about this important work and vital survivor testimonies here.

To consider how your branch can work with G2G, not just during Holocaust Memorial Day, but all year round:

Blog: Remembering the ‘banality of evil’ is of vital importance

 

The article Marking Holocaust Memorial Day first appeared on the UNISON National site.