Defend Sadiq Khan and Malia Bouattia – say no to Islamophobia
The Left Unity National Council met on the 23rd April and agreed to release the following statement in support of Sadiq Khan and Malia Bouattia.
Left Unity condemns the shameful racist and Islamophobic attacks on both London Mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan and the newly-elected NUS President Malia Bouattia. Rather than having an open and democratic political debate with Khan to defeat him in a fair contest, the Tories and their allies are trying to portray Khan as a terrorist sympathiser. Bouattia, before and since her election victory, has been subjected to vile abuse and has been accused of being an anti-semite. There is not a shred of evidence for either claim. Both stand for progressive and inclusive policies and the defence of civil liberties, and they have strong records of fighting racism and rejecting attempts to portray all Muslims as extremists.
These attacks are the politics of the gutter. Beyond these attacks on two political leaders with widespread democratic support lies a broader attempt to characterise the entire Muslim community as the enemy within and drive it from public life. The community is increasingly portrayed in the mainstream media and general political discourse as insular, conservative and a breeding ground for terrorists. We reject this false and divisive caricature which will do untold harm to our society.
We also reject recent attempts to suggest that support for the struggle for civil and human rights and sovereignty for the Palestinian people is anti-semitic. To attempt to silence support for Palestinian rights in this way is an attack on freedom of speech. We oppose all expressions of racism, anti-semitism and Islamophobia. Support for the Palestinian people cannot be equated with anti-semitism.
In the London Mayoral election Left Unity calls for a Labour victory.
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2 responses to “Defend Sadiq Khan and Malia Bouattia – say no to Islamophobia”
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I have friends who are racists, little englanders and they hate all foreign workers. I have told them there is only one race, the human race but they say i am the worst kind of racist because i am racist against the English. Nothing and no one can change their minds.
Malia Bouattia NUS’ President and Sadiq Khan London Mayoral Candidate,
are two great leaders with high values and principles. They represent the
broader community regardless of background, race and religion.
Both stand for peace based on justice in UK and abroad.Their policies are progressive and inclusive.They defend civil liberties, human rights and
equality.They reject any kind of racism, fascism,Islamophobia and Anti- Semitism.
They are charismatic, courageous and inspiring.
The conservatives and their allies, and the mass media who are trying to diminish Malia Bouattia and Sadiq Khan with their unfunded rhetoric , are diminishing themselves.
With respect and admiration
Elsa collins, Alan Collins and Family