UK
Apsana Begum MP: Stand against the scapegoating of migrants & minorities by the political class
By Apsana Begum
Over years now – we have seen the entire political and media class complicit in the normalisation of Islamophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric.
Over the past few months, we have seen politicians inciting racism and putting all of us at risk – calling Tower Hamlets a “no-go area”, with the far-right targeting East London more and more with the co-leader of Britain First coming to Whitechapel, and the East London Mosque receiving at least two bomb threats, in as many months.
In the past few weeks – we have seen politicians speaking about politicians pandering to racism – as though they hadn’t used dog whistle racism against the Bangladeshi community and migrants, in the general election just gone.
Watching some people on our TV screens, you’d think the far-right have sprung up overnight and are not a well-resourced, organised and ideologically-driven movement. One that requires refuting their very politics – by distinguishing ourselves from them – with ours in every space and at every level.
We know it is not the working class that is responsible for spreading disinformation about Muslims and migrants.
We know it is not Muslims or migrants responsible for political and economic failings.
It’s people with power and wealth like Elon Musk and Nigel Farage who amplify far-right conspiracy theories.
So we must continue to organise and confront hateful ideology and we must not allow politicians of any party to allow any of our diverse communities to continue to be scapegoated.
The East End stands in proud anti racist and anti-fascist traditions, where time and time again we have demonstrated that we will stand together against injustices — both at home and abroad.
Where the Jewish communities and allies opposed fascists at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936.
Where the murder of Altab Ali brought people out onto the streets and where the Bangladeshi communities led the anti-fascist mobilisation in the 1970s.
Where we continue to see diversity as a strength, and where our communities include migrants from all around the world.
Where communities came together in mass demonstrations against the Iraq War in the anti-war mobilisation in 2003.
Where just this week, people from all different backgrounds came together in East London in Walthamstow, in thousands to send out a message of hope and solidarity.
And where we know that our struggles for freedom are connected with struggles against oppression everywhere.
That’s why it is important today therefore to also recognise the scale and horror of what is continuing to happen in Gaza, and call out the Islamophobic demonisation of the Palestinian solidarity movement.
It’s to also important to recognise the horrors of what was happened in Bangladesh and recognise that fundamental human rights are that — fundamental — and everyone anywhere in the world must be able to exercise them without reprisal or repression.
It is in traditions of solidarity in East London that teach us that hardship can be overcome collectively.
So let’s send a message to the far-right who continue to try to spread violence and fear through their intolerance, division and hatred:
We are diverse, multicultural, multiracial, of all faiths and none, and from all around the world.
We will continue to stand up for ourselves. For each other. For all of our diverse communities in the UK For all those being oppressed all around the world.
- This article is a published version of a recent speech given by Apsana Begum MP at an anti-racism demo held against the racist far-right violence witnessed across the country.
- Apsana Begum is the MP for Poplar and Limehouse and a regular contributor to Labour Outlook. You can follow Apsana on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and Tik Tok.
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