Key events<\/p>\n
Show key events only<\/p>\n
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n
Those in power using racism to ‘feather own nests’, head of NEU says<\/p>\n
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said those in power have been using racism to \u201cfeather their own nests\u201d, as he criticised Keir Starmer\u2019s comments around immigration.<\/p>\n
In May last year, the prime minister said the UK risked becoming \u201can island of strangers\u201d, in a speech about immigration.<\/p>\n
Kebede said before the Together Alliance rally against the far-right on Saturday: \u201cWhat we have seen \u2013 in the age of Trump in particular \u2013 is those in power using racism to feather their own nests, whether it\u2019s Donald Trump, whether it\u2019s Nigel Farage.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what\u2019s even worse is we\u2019ve seen the Prime Minister, instead of taking it on, tail-end it with the \u2018island of strangers\u2019 nonsense that he pedalled last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe toxic climate that is taking place in society festers into schools. We\u2019re seeing an increase in racist incidents, whether that\u2019s directed towards teachers and support staff, or pupil-on-pupil, so it\u2019s incredibly difficult at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
General secretary of National Education Union Daniel Kebede. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz\/Future Publishing\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Kevin Courtney, chairman of the Together Alliance has said shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy would have been \u201csacked\u201d for his comments about Muslim public prayer if he had made them 10 years ago.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, the Conservative MP described Muslim public prayer<\/a> as an \u201cact of domination and decision\u201d, referring to an open Iftar event held in Trafalgar Square.<\/p>\n Courtney said: \u201cNick Timothy, who is a frontbencher for the Conservative Party, criticised the Muslim community, said they were taking over Trafalgar Square when they were having an Iftar event\u2026 they were praying as part of that.<\/p>\n \u201cAll faiths use Trafalgar Square. The idea that Nick Timothy picks on one particular community, and criticise it, demonises it, I would say\u2026 it\u2019s disturbing that those ideas have cut into the mainstream.<\/p>\n \u201c10 years ago, he would have been sacked from the Tory frontbench for saying that. He\u2019s not being sacked now, so we are disturbed by the growth of far-right ideas across the mainstream, as well as in the particular expressions, like Tommy Robinson.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the US, millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets on Saturday for the No Kings protests<\/a> against the Trump administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n The protests, which have no connection to the demonstrations taking place in the UK, will be led by a coalition of organisers that includes \u201canti-authoritarian\u201d groups Indivisible and 50501, labor unions and other grassroots organisations.<\/p>\n More than 3,000 events are planned in all 50 states, plus in 16 countries.<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s protest will be the third No Kings; the last one in October drew 7 million people nationwide.<\/p>\n Protesters are expected to turn out on the basis of a multitude of issues, organisers said, from ICE raids to voting<\/a> rights threats.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the last No Kings, we\u2019re seeing higher gas prices<\/a> and groceries, all while there\u2019s an illegal war in Iran,\u201d said Sarah Parker, the executive director of Voices of Florida and a national coordinator for the 50501 movement. \u201cThe people of America are pissed.\u201d<\/p>\n A protester holds a sign reading \u201cNO KINGS\u201d with a crown illustration crossed out during a \u201cNo Kings\u201d protest in October. Photograph: Daniel Cole\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.26 EDT<\/p>\n Who are the Together Alliance?<\/p>\n Dozens of coaches will leave from across the country on Saturday morning \u2013 including 10 from Manchester alone \u2013 to begin marching from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square at midday but who are Together Alliance?<\/p>\n From musicians including Brian Eno and Self Esteem to actors including Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake<\/a>, the support reflects a familiar pattern in British protest movements \u2013 moments when politics spills into culture, and vice versa, and a chance for people to demonstrate their progressive values.<\/p>\n The anti-discrimination group Stand Up to Racism are members of the alliance and Sabby Dhalu, a co-convener, has said the Together Alliance\u2019s formation was a direct reaction to growing far-right sentiment espoused in last<\/a> September\u2019s \u201cunite the kingdom\u201d demonstration.<\/p>\n Dhalu said: \u201cThe overwhelming majority of people reject the racism, Islamophobia, division, hatred and violence promoted by Tommy Robinson and the far right.<\/p>\n \u201cThis Saturday we will demonstrate that clearly. Tens of thousands will take to the streets of central London<\/a>, bringing the same spirit of unity that helped bring the racist riots of 2024 to a halt.\u201d<\/p>\n Two stages \u2013 one on Whitehall for speeches and one in Trafalgar Square for music, which are both free to attend \u2013 will feature cross-party speakers and award-winning musicians, including Self Esteem, Jessie Ware, Katy B, Joy Crookes, UB40, Fontaines DC, the Charlatans and Hot Chip.<\/p>\n Billy Bragg said that the \u201cpolitics of division\u201d could be countered when people came together, and he expected the turnout to exceed that of the \u201cunite the kingdom\u201d rally.<\/p>\n In case you missed it, the context of today\u2019s march was discussed<\/a> in our First edition newsletter<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.44 EDT<\/p>\n Met will have ‘significant policing presence’ as part of plan for weekend protests<\/p>\n The Metropolitan police have said there will be a \u201csignificant policing presence\u201d in Westminster on Saturday with a number of large protests expected.<\/p>\n In addition to the marches organised by the Together Alliance and the Palestine Coalition, a number of protests against the Iranian regime \u2013 both static assemblies and marches \u2013 are due to take place in the Westminster area on both Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n The force said they have used conditions under the public order act to ensure only rally areas that have been agreed in advance are used and to set fixed routes that must be followed and to determine required end times.<\/p>\n Dispersal zones will be in place if people gather in places away from the agreed form up locations that cause disruption or harassment and intimidation.<\/p>\n Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is in charge of the policing operation this weekend, said: \u201cThis is going to be a busy weekend for our officers but we have detailed plans in place to ensure all groups protesting this weekend can do so lawfully and without causing serious disruption to other Londoners, businesses or visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am mindful that it is less than a week since the appalling arson attack in Golders Green which will only have compounded already heightened fears in the Jewish community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe take these fears seriously and have carefully considered them in our planning, balancing them as we are required to do against the rights of others to lawful protest.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hundreds of thousands expected to gather in London for march against far right<\/p>\n Good morning. Hundreds of thousands of people are to turn out in central London<\/a> to support what is expected to be the biggest multicultural march in UK history on Saturday.<\/p>\n Scotland Yard said there will be a significant police presence in the capital on Saturday as two large marches will converge in Westminster.<\/p>\n One march, followed by speeches and musical performances, is organised by the Together Alliance and is said to have the support of celebrities including comedian Sir Lenny Henry and singer Paloma Faith, although neither are expected to be present.<\/p>\n Participants will march from Park Lane at 1pm, finishing on Whitehall, while a music event will also take place in Trafalgar Square featuring artists including former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock.<\/p>\n A separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition will form up at the southern end of Exhibition Road from midday, marching towards Hyde Park Corner where the demonstrators will turn onto Piccadilly, joining the route of the Together Alliance before the groups form up for a rally on Whitehall.<\/p>\n A video message from London mayor Sadiq Khan will be played to those gathered at the Whitehall stage and the leader of the Green party Zack Polanski is expected to make a speech.<\/p>\n The musician, Billy Bragg told the Guardian<\/a> on Friday participants hoped to \u201csend out a message to our fellow citizens that we are willing to take a stand against [the politics of hate] being imported into the UK\u201d.<\/p>\n