Refugee Week: Choose the future not the past
Scotland must choose the future of a unified community over the chaos that the far-right brings, says Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.
Today is the beginning of Refugee Week, the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, talents and strengths of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Ms Chapman is calling for people to welcome refugees and stand on the right side of history, as divisive politics threatens to break communities across the UK.
Ms Chapman said:
“Refugees and people seeking sanctuary bring a huge amount to our communities, and create a wonderful culturally diverse nation. Refugees have brought enormous richness to our country. From those fleeing the Nazis in the 1930s to more recent refugees from conflicts in the Balkans and my own home of Zimbabwe.
“But this is not only about the benefits to us. Scotland and the UK would not exist as it does without colonialism. We claim to be a post-colonial society, but far-right political factions are all too happy to sow the seeds of hatred and racism and try to drag us back to those days of old.
“We must stand up against that, and stand with those at risk of serious harm by the far-right.
“Think of your neighbours who have lived here peacefully for years after fleeing conflict in Sudan. Your postie whose parents came to the UK for a better life before he was even born. The mum you meet at the school gates who worked hard to learn English as a second language just to communicate with you, and who is proud to call Scotland her home.
“Think of the doctors, nurses and carers who risked their lives to make sure that you or your loved ones were not alone and were given medical treatment during the covid pandemic. The very same people who care about you and give so much to our country are being scapegoated and vilified by far-right politicians like Farage and co, claiming they don’t belong here.
“Scotland often likes to think of itself as set apart from racism, but racism is here and it is growing. We’ve just watched Reform double down on an incredibly racist campaign and grow their support in a by-election.
“Groups are mobilising across other parts of the UK and committing horrific acts, like modern day pogroms minus the pitchforks, against anyone who isn’t white and British within communities.
“This is happening because far-right messaging is being given a platform and validation. The UK Government’s immigration stance is setting the tone that helps to feed the violence and riots we see in the streets, where innocent people are targeted by angry mobs looking for trouble.
“We must stand up against these kinds of bullies, and stand with our neighbours and friends. It is our duty to choose community over chaos, and remember that our country is far better off because of refugees, and they have every right to feel that they belong here. Because they do.”