News
Stand Up To Racism Derbyshire
Organising Meeting
Monday 12th February 2024
7.0pm at Monkey Park Café, 128a Chester Street. S40 1DN (corner with Clifton St). Refreshments from 6.45pm
We will have a speaker from Telford to report on Tommy Robinson’s latest attempts to whip up race hate.
Plus discussion about the
STOP RACISM #StopTheHate demonstration in London March 16th:
we have a coach leaving from Matlock 7.30am and Chesterfield 8.0am. Message the secretary to book a seat.
Plus reports and future activities.
If you cannot attend in person, the zoom the link is available Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
Stand Up To Racism Trade Union Conference
Sunday 11th February
Fighting for anti-racist workplaces
NEU Headquarters in London.
This is a hybrid conference, so you can register to join online.
Workshops on:
– Fighting Islamophobia and Anti Semitism and the new right.
– Building solidarity with refugees
– Building anti-Racism in our workplaces
Register here. bit.ly/TUconf-2024*
Stand Up To Racism Derbyshire
Annual General Meeting
Monday 15th January 2024
7.0pm at Monkey Park Café, 128a Chester Street. S40 1DN (corner with Clifton St). Refreshments from 6.45pm
Secretary’s Report: a review of our activities
Treasurer’s Report: our financial situation
Election of Officers: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer,
If you cannot attend in person, the zoom the link is available Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
Stand Up To Racism National Conference
Sunday 19th November 2023
Stand up to Racism National Conference in London.
We hope to send some representatives, but anyone can join the meeting on line. Register here
Our December organising meeting will be 11th December at Monkey Park
News Update
12th November 2023
REFUGEE REQUESTS
We have been asked for: a microwave, a vacuum cleaner, a curtain rail, men’s clothing (sizes small to large) and trainers size 40 upwards.
For Christmas gifts we are looking for donations of: chocolate treats, dates, new socks, scarves, hats, shaving foam and shower gel….
We have a keen chess player at local hotel. Anyone interested in playing occasionally?
SECOND HAND BOOK STALL
Sunday 19th November we have a stall at the Chesterfield Xmas Lights Switch on in the Market Square, selling second-hand books to raise money for the Refugee Support Group. We need helpers between 12noon and 4.0pm.
Get in touch if you can spare an hour.
If you have books to donate then bring them to the DORO meeting or arrange to drop them off Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
Book Launch
Tuesday 14th November 2023
DORO by Brendan Woodhouse and Doro Goumaneh
Brendan will talk about how he met a refugee called Doro, when volunteering on a rescue boat in the Mediterranean, It is a story of….’ policy and politics, brutality and bravery, survival and belonging’.
Chesterfield Library, New Beetwell Street, Chesterfield, S40 1QN. Come in the entrance on Beetwell St where the cafe used to be……
We will have copies of the book to buy and you can get a signed copy!
or join on zoom.
Organising Meeting
11th September 2023
Mothly organising meetin at Monkey Park Cafe, 128 Chester St S401DN
Starts 7pm, refreshments from 6.45pm
or email for zoom link
AGENDA
Apologies
Matters arising.
RESIST RACISM. March on the Tory conference 1st October. Speaker: BIFTU Manchester SUTR
STANDING UP TO THE FAR RIGHT: including a report from Buxton.
REFUGEE SOLIDARITY
REPORT FROM WIRKSWORTH FESTIVAL
BOOK LAUNCH FOR DORO
NEXT MEETING Monday October 9th
Organising Meeting
Monday 14th August 2023
Next organising meeting is at Monkey Park Cafe, 128 Chester St S40 1DN.
Reporting from Portland, Lincoln and Buxton and planning future activity.
7pm Monkey Park Cafe, Chester St, Chesterfield or email for zoom link
Big Turnout Says No To The Fascists In Lincoln
10th July 2023
Over 200 supporters of Stand up To Racism turned out in the pouring rain to march and defy the nazis, denying them access to the city centre as they boasted they would do. Only around 30 fascist supporters turned up to face a determined and mobilised opposition that says ‘Never Again’
More photos and videos in The Gallery
Organising Meeting
Monday 12th June 2023
Next organising meeting is at Monkey Park Cafe, 128 Chester St S40 1DN.
We have a busy campaigning agends reporting back on activites and planning for a busy summer of engagement and activism.
Meeting starts at 7pm (refreshments available from 6.30pm). Or email the secretary for the Zoom link.
Football Welcomes Refugees
23rd May 2023
As part of the Football Welcomes rfugees campaign, Chesterfield FC gave away a number of free ticketsto locally based refugees for the last five home games of the season. The Football Welcomes programme is organised by Amnesty International. The biggest group attending were from Ukraine and also included were refugees from Syria and Afghanistan.
For the full story see spireitestrust.org.uk/2023/05/23/football-welcomes-refugees/
Organising Meeting
Tuesday 9th May 2023
Next organising meeting is at the Friends Meeting House, 27 Ashgate road Chesterfield S40 4AG at 7pm. Or contact the secretary for zoom link Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
Organising Meeting
Monday 17th April 7.00pm
Agenda to include Reports, Planning for Upcoming Events and Refugee Solidarity
Friends Meeting House, 27 Ashgate Road, Chesterfield S40 4AG
Refreshments from 6.40pm
Or contact Jeannie for the Zoom link: Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
Resist Racism Demo – London, Glasgow and Cardiff
(and around the world)
18th March 2023
The last few weeks of anti migrant hotel protests organised by the far right has shown the urgency of building a powerful anti-racist movement. The Resist Racism marches in London, Glasgow and Cardiff ( and around the world) on Saturday March 18th are a key step. If you haven’t yet booked your seat on the Matlock / Chesterfield coach then book online here.
Counter-protest Against Yorkshire Rose Fascists – Report
18th February 2023
Fascists from the Yorkshire Rose group had arranged an anti-refugee protest outside a refugee hotel in Rotherham, South Yorkshire on Saturday. SUTR and other groups called a counter-protest and moblised over 400 supporters to outnumber the 80 or so fascists who turned out.
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Stand up to Racism NEWSLETTER FEB 2023
This Saturday February 18th Far Right groups are holding a protest outside a hotel for asylum seekers in Rotherham. A peaceful counter- protest has been called by Sheffeld and Rotherham TUC and SUTR. Already 3 coaches have been filled. Some individuals have also been filming outside our Chesterfield Refugee Hotel. We are taking a minibus from Chesterfield meeting 12 noon in town. Please contact me directly if you would like to come.
Don’t let the Right divide us Refugees are Welcome here.
REPORT FROM MERSEYSIDE a Stand up to Racism supporter spoke at our meeting on Monday. He said….
Known fascist groups leafletted the area near a refugee hotel in Knowsley, claiming ‘Refugees get special treatment whilst our people go cold’. It called on people to mass outside the hotel. Also scurrilous social media posts talked about ‘protecting our females from virile and peadophile’ asylum seekers. In reponse, the SUTR group alongside UCU, RMT local churches, Care4Calais and Labour Students mobilised over 100 people to stand outside the hotel in support of refugees, with placards and chanting.
‘The Police kept the fascists about 150 yards away from us. Initially they were small in number, but ‘football supporter groups’ joined in. They had fireworks and weapons and one jumped on top of a police vehicle and eventually set it on fire. Our side held its ground, and after the Police had regained control we were able to leave the area peacefully. The refugees in the hotel were very grateful for our presence and were waving and blowing kisses as we left.’
He concluded
- Organised fascists were not in the majority but played a key role in mobilising and encouraging others. They came from across the North West and parts of Yorkshire.
- Disaffected youth were able to be mobilised and were up for a fight.
- Our side needs to build the biggest possible united front to be willing to physically defend the hotels and to say Refugees are Welcome here.
In the discussion that followed, the role that Tory Ministers play in whipping up anti-refugee racism was stressed. The Daily Mail had printed a list of all the hotels housing refugees. They right want to divide our side, as the cost of living crisis hits and disaffection grows. The importance of united resistance of trade unions was highlighted.
SUTR PROTEST IN MANSFIELD last Saturday Nottingham SUTR and TUC held a town centre protest after the Mansfield refugee hotel was targeted (a few people shouting Refugees Get Out ).They got a positive response from a good number of passers-by. There were a few negative comments. Right wing Tory MPs in the area are inflaming the situation.
MARCH 18TH NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION
In the light of recent events this becomes even more important. We have a coach booked
7.30am from Matlock and 8.0am from Chesterfield. Follow this link to book or message me directly.
We are holding a campaign stall on Thursday 23rd Feb to say REFUGEES WELCOME… JOIN THE MARCH outside Primark, Chesterfield from 11.00am. Please message me if you can join us. It is half term so we hope town will be busy.
REGUGEE SOLIDARITY
A Syrian Mum in Glapwell is taking her test on June 1st. She has had a lot of lessons but needs to build her confidence. Could you spare time to go out with her? She has a car.
Free swimming session at Queens Park Sports Centre on Saturday 4th March 4.30pm. Do come along
If you are a volunteer helping the refugees in any capacity there is a meeting on Monday Feb 20th 7.0pm Quaker Meeting House Ashgate Rd from 7.0pm Do come along. These are being held every 2 months
FUNDRAISING NIGHT FOR REFUGEES is being organised by Lorna Cooper, who will be singing with the Thunderbirds at the Whitworth, Centre Darley Dale Friday March 10th 19.00 Book here
https://www.thewhitworth.org/event-details-registration/thunderbirds-charity-concert
FUNDRAISING FOR TURKISH AND SYRIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Many people have been in touch to see if they can donate goods to send to the earthquake zone. I have spoken to Muslims in Need a Derby based charity. They are planning to send container lorries but Turkish Customs will only let in new Items. They can buy in bulk so financial donations are best. You could visit their Facebook page. They guarantee every penny donated will go to the victims, all their workers are volunteers.
Also John Heathcote, who supports our refugees, is doing a 50 mile sponsored walk this weekend.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-heathcote3
NEXT MEETING MONDAY MARCH 13TH.
Counter-protest in Rotherham 18th February
Organising Meeting Monday January 16th
Guest Speaker Despina Karaianni
Speaking on the Greek court victory of migrant’s rights vcampaigners in Lesvos charged with espionage by the Greek government
The netflix film ‘The Swimmers’ follows Syrian refugee sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini and their struggles to gain asylum in Greece. At the end of the film, Sarah goes back to Lesvos to volunteer as a refugee aid worker. In 2020, Sarah plus twenty three other aid workers were prosecuted on serious criminal charges including espionage, in an apparent attempt by the authorities to intimidate refugees and charity volunteers.
After a long campaign the courts threw out all charges, and Despina will describe the case and outline some lessons of the victory that can inform campainging in the UK.
AGENDA
- Guest Speaker Despina Karaianni
- Building for the ‘Resist Racism‘ demo in London on 18th March
- Refugee Solidarity
- Derbyshire County Council – discussion on treatment of asylum seekers
Meeting starts 7pm, Monday 16th January at Friends Meeting House, Ashgate Road S40 4AG
Or contact Jeannie for the Zoom link: Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday 24th January
- HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY MEETING
- #NeverAgain National online event (this was excellent last year.)
Saturday 4th February
- STAND UP TO RACISM AND TUC ANTI-RACIST TRADE UNION CONFERENCE. Fighting for anti-racist workplaces.
We have a minibus going to London for this event. Please get in touch if you can come. - REGISTER HERE
Saturday 18th March
- INTERNATIONAL RESIST RACISM DEMONSTRATION in London.We will be taking a coach to London.
Winter Appeal For Refugees.
Winter Coats all sizes and genders. Children’s toys and books. Also, we want to put together gift bags for the asylum seekers in the hotel so please donate: men’s toiletries, chocolates, dates, pens, and nail-clippers! If you want to donate financially contact chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO MONKEY PARK CAFÉ & END OF YEAR DROP-IN SOCIAL 128a Chester St, Chesterfield S40 1DN on Monday 12th December between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. We will have mince pies and cakes and Xmas cheer etc. This is open to all SUTR supporters and volunteers from the Refugee Support Group. Or contact the above email address.
First meeting of the new year will be January 16th at Monkey Park
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Stand up to Racism
Annual Report 2022
Another busy year, as the Tory Government ramped up its attempt to demonise asylum seekers and migrants, restrict their rights and even deport them to Rwanda. It also sought to restrict the right to protest. However, it was also a year when our side resisted deportations and challenged the hostile environment. The racist nature of the police force, especially the Metropolitan Police, was exposed and the demands of the black lives matter movement made more urgent. Attempts by the far fight to grow had also to be opposed.
Through our sister organisation, N. Derbyshire Refugee Support Group, our members have had a very busy year, with the opening of a local hotel to 80 asylum seekers, arrival of 7 Afghan families and many Ukrainian refugees. We thank them for their hard work and pledge our support for their activities going forward. December 2021 was brilliant for fundraising. Over £3618 was raised. We record our thanks to Ollie, Lorna, David, Jim. Cynthia, Brenda and Agnes.
MONTHLY MEETINGS.
We were able to return to Monkey Park Café after Covid restrictions were lifted but have kept them hybrid. This enabled us to invite outside speakers, who have included:
Hazel McAllister on Schools of Sanctuary
Ebru Garnett Sheffield SUTR on the Border and Nationalities Bill
Andy Brown from Care4Calais on treatment of refugees by the French authorities and their plight in Penally and Napier camps
Natalie Gilbert from Poland on treatment of refugees on Polish/ German Border
Nahella Ashraf on the Hostile Environment, the Borders Bill and UN International Anti-racism day
Faisa Mahamud on the successful trial of the Colston 4 in Bristol
Soraya Adejara Hackney Councillor on Child Q case.
Sham Darwish on the situation in Afghanistan
Brendan Woodhouse on the work of Sea Watch and rescue ships in the Mediterranean
Simon Hester from Hastings Supports Refugees about refugees arriving on the south coast
Weyman Bennett on the murder of Chris Kaba
Farooq Saddique on Racism in Cricket and the Pakistan floods
Chioma Amadi for the Black Presence in the early trade union movement.
VIGILS AND PUBLIC EVENTS
Chesterfield Christmas Tree event after the drowning of refugees in the Channel
Holocaust Memorial event in the Market Square
Rykneld Square Chesterfield Say No Deportations to Rwanda
Rykneld Square Anniversary of the murder of George Floyd
Market Hall Steps to protest the murder of Chris Kaba and say Black Lives Matter
Outside MPs surgeries in Clay Cross and Bolsover and at Matlock Crown Island on the eve of the Court Hearing for Rwanda
Sent a coachload to the national UN Anti-Racism day demonstration on March19th in London.
Sent a delegation to the national demonstration November 5th to say refugees are welcome here
Had a very lively contingent on Chesterfield May Day march
Sent car-loads to Telford, twice, to oppose Tommy Robinson stirring up Islamophobia.
CONFERENCES
We have attended conferences on-line and in person including:
SUTR Holocaust Memorial national event.
SUTR TUC Trade Union Conference
The Child Q conference in London
Just recently we sent minibus to the SUTR International Conference in London Oct 15th.
Liaised with Chesterfield Football Club, who on World Refugee Day, organised a refugee football training session and produced an excellent anti-racist video with the players on UN ant-racism Day
BOLSOVER and District SUTR
SUTR supporters in Bolsover have launched a facebook page, held an initial meeting, protest outside MP surgery and had a very good intervention against the Patriotic Alternative in Cresswell, by leafletting door to door and opposing racist graffiti daubed on the GoLocal shop. They have initiated work with the Council on dealing with hate crimes and started a reading group.
MATLOCK
SUTR supporters have built a refugee group to help 2 newly arrived refugee families and continued to support Syrian families. Proposing to hold a Love Music Hate Racism gig.
FESTIVALS
We have had very good public engagement stalls at
Chesterfield May Day
Chesterfield Pride,
YNOT music festival,
Whitwell Music festival
Wirksworth Arts festival.
Over 40 different volunteers were involved and hundreds of new contacts made. Many were photographed saying Refugees Welcome No Deportations to Rwanda for our national twitter storms.
THANK YOU
We wish to record our thanks to everyone who has been involved. However, with the economic crisis deepening and the Hostile Environment continuing, we will need to extend and build our campaigning.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SUTR Trade Union Conference Feb 4th
UN Anti-Racism Day Demo March 18th
Annual General Meeting 2022
Monday 14th November 7.00pm
AGENDA
REPORTS
Review of the year – illustrated report from the Secretary
Financial Report, from the Treasurer.
ELECTIONS
We need to elect a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
If you would to stand for a position, please let the Secretary know by Sunday Nov 13th.
Latest refugee requests:
- Winter clothes for all ages
- A large white board
- bunk beds
- an office chair
- coffee grinder
Venue: Monkey Park, 128a Chester Street, Chesterfield S40 1DN
Refreshments from 6.30pm
Or contact Jeannie for the Zoom link: Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
People’s Assembly Anti-Racism March – London
5th November 2022
Good turnout from Chesterfield and North Derbyshire SUTR!
Head to our Facebook page or the gallery to see more photos from the day!
Or click on this Twitter link
Justice For Chris Kaba – Demo
17th September 2022
From The Guardian:
“The fatal shooting of Chris Kaba by the Metropolitan Police … has triggered an outpouring of grief and rage. Two police cars chased after the 24-year-old black musician and expectant father and cornered his car. Once he was blocked in, a specialist firearms officer reportedly fired a shot through the driver’s side of the windscreen. Kaba was declared dead two hours later. He was found to be unarmed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an ongoing homicide investigation, and it is unclear when the findings will be published.”
See the original article here
A well-attended demo in support of the Justice For Chris Kaba campaign took place in Chesterfield on 17th September.
See the gallery to see more photos from the demos!
Whitwell Music Festival
11th September 2022
Great response to the Stand up To Racism stall at Whitwell music festival, with lots of people signing up to start the new SUTR Bolsover group!
Head to our Facebook page or the gallery to see more photos from the day!
Campaign Groups Take Government to High Court Today
5th September 2022
Campaign groups are taking the government to the high court today to challenge plans to deport migrants to Rwanda. The scheme was announced in April with first flights planned for 14th June, but operations were thwarted by a last minute injunction at the European Court of Human Rights.
Charities and campaigners, along with several asylum seekers, are today bringing challenges to the High Court arguing that the Rwanda scheme is unlawful. The hearing is expected to last five days.
Many demonstrations protesting the plans have taken place across the region, including Matlock, Bolsover and Clay Cross
Head to our Facebook page or the gallery to see more photos from the demos!
Reports from Chesterfield PRIDE and YNOT Festival
August 2022
Our stall at Chesterfield PRIDE and YNOT Festival was a big success! We loved meeting so many new faces, who got involved in so many ways, from purchasing pin badges and t-shirts, to signing our STOP RWANDA petition and sign up sheets. The focus was on Refugees are Welcome, and we invited people to have their photo taken using our frames as part of the protest against the Rwanda Deportation Scheme. These will then be publicised on Twitter in September, when many big refugee charities are taking the UK Government to court, creating a big social media storm!
At YNOT we had some impressive statistics to show for our weekend there…
• 15,000 Stand up to Racism/Love Music Hate Racism stickers distributed
• 500 badges sold
• 300 signed to keep in touch (many representing groups of friends)
• 50 t-shirts sold
• 460 petitions signed
Head to our Facebook page or the gallery to see more photos from the day!
Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Stand Up To Racism – News Update
27th July 2022
LOCAL REFUGEE SOLIDARITY
We are continuing to support asylum seekers in a local hotel. There are regularly new people arriving so we need donations of …..Mens clothes: T shirts, jeans, joggers, hoodies, jackets, short (sizes small to large). Decent shoes and trainers from sizes 41 to 45 Second hand mobile phones.
New Refugee families have arrived in Darley Dale. Their requests include: a Barbecue, garden chairs, a strimmer, single beds, a double bed and a mobile phone!
DERBYSHIRE REFUGEE PICNIC at EYAM on SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST for all the Syrian Families and Afghan families. Volunteers needed to drive and/or join in the activities. Get in touch if you can help 11.30am to 4.0pm. .
STOP THE RWANDA REFUGEE DEPORTATION FLIGHTS
Care4Calais, the union PCS and other refugee charities are challenging the legality of the Rwanda deportation scheme. Their court case had been postponed until September 5th. SUTR is organising protests on the day. Both candidates in the Tory leadership campaign are 100% behind this inhumane scheme. At Chesterfield Pride on Sunday we had a really positive response to our petition against the deportations and hundreds of people had their photo taken. These will part of a big twitter storm on Sept 5th. We will be campaigning at YNOT on the same issue, this weekend.
At our last organising meeting we agreed that over the summer we would attempt to book face to face meetings with 3 local Tory MPs: Bolsover, NE Derbyshire and Matlock/Derbyshire Dales. We will also have public presence in these 3 areas to raise awareness. Details to follow.
OPPOSE THE RACIST FAR RIGHT
CRESSWELL
Patriotic Alternative, a nasty far-right group have put a racist leaflet through letterboxes in Cresswell. We have produced a counter leaflet and are meeting on Saturday 6th August at 3.30pm at Cresswell Events Centre to distribute it. Please let me know if you can help
TOMMY ROBINSON targets TELFORD again
The fascist, Tommy Robinson is targeting Telford, following the grooming scandal in the town and is holding an event there on Saturday August 13th . Stand up to Racism is supporting a local event saying Support the Victims, No to Islamophobia. We will be organising transport to go across. Get in touch if you can come.
SUMMER FESTIVALS STILL TO COME
Whitwell 10th Sept, Wirksworth 17th & 18th Sept. Volunteers needed to staff the ‘Stand Up To Racism’ stand
NEXT ORGANISING MEETING
Monday 8th August 7.0pm ONLY ON ZOOM.. Back to in person meeting in September.
Contact Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com for details
High Peak Stand Up To Racism – News Update
July 2022
The summer newsletter from High Peak Stand Up To Racism group is available here
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Stand Up To Racism – Organising Meeting
Monday 11th July at 7pm
MONKEY PARK CAFE, 128a Chester St S40 1DN
Discussions: local campaigning, refugee solidarity and the national Campaign To Stop Rwanda Flights
Refreshments from 6.30, meeting start 7.00
Contact Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com for details or for the Zoom link if you can’t make it in person
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Stand Up To Racism – News Update
June 2022
WORLD REFUGEE WEEK Today Chesterfield Football Club, kindly organised a special football session for the refugees who are based in a local hotel. It was great for them to have a proper pitch a referee and a coach. Many thanks to John Croot, Chief Executive who welcomed the players and Ollie who organised half- time refreshments donated by the Dronfield Co-op. Everyone had a great time. The Co-op are also asking their customers to donate football boots. On Friday some of them are getting a rock climbing expedition.
Each day this week, LINKS, the voluntary sector organisation is putting out a story about local refugees. Visit their website https://www.linkscvs.org.uk/
REFUGEE REQUESTS
We have new refugee families in Darley Dale, some of the things we need are: a small under -the-counter fridge, a desk/computer table, bicycle panniers, children’s scooters, table lamps, hand bags, a mixing machine, umbrella, garden tools and garden chairs.
For the asylum seekers we still need: trainers in good condition, mobiles, swimming trunks and small backpacks.
ESOL CLASSES Chesterfield College are running intensive language classes, 4 days a week, until August. Refugees from the hotel, Ukraine and Afghanistan are attending.
NO DEPORTATIONS Before our recent meeting we protested and reaffirmed our opposition to the government plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Now, the government is also proposing electronic tags for asylum seekers. We continue to demand safe and legal passage for all refugees.
JOIN OUR CONTACT GROUP
We also noted that anti-racist activists in London have successfully resisted Border Force vans trying to deport asylum seekers. We agreed we need to be ready at short notice to take similar action. So we are setting up a WhatsApp group so we can notify people of any such deportation attempts locally. Please send me your phone number, if you are happy to be added to the group.
SUMMER FESTIVALS
We need volunteers to help on our stalls at the following festivals. Let me know if you can help.
Chesterfield PRIDE, Sunday July 24th Stand Rd 11am to 6.-pm
YNOT Music festival, Friday 28th July to Sunday 31st July
Whitwell Music Festival, Saturday 10th September
Wirksworth Festival, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September
STAND UP TO RACISM IN BOLSOVER
Activists from Bolsover attended our meeting. They reported that racially offensive items had been removed from local shops and Donna, local councillor, is going to present a motion suggesting a policy about such items. They are developing policy on responding to racist incidents and reaching out to a number of local organisations and businesses. It was suggested that maybe a lobby of the Tory MP over the Rwanda policy might be a good idea.
FAR RIGHT ACTIVITY IN BOLSOVER DISTRICT
Recently the ‘Patriotic Alternative’ posted a nasty racist leaflet around Cresswell. We are planning to distribute a counter leaflet in the area.
Thanks to everyone who continues to support our work.
Contact Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com for details
Annual General Meeting 2021
Monday 8th November 7.00pm
AGENDA
REPORTS
Review of the year, from the Secretary
Financial Report, from the Treasurer.
ELECTIONS
We need to elect a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
If you would to stand for a position, please let the Secretary know by Nov 7th.
PLANNING FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.
REFUGEE SOLIDARITY:
Schools of Sanctuary, focusing on a Crich Primary. speaker Hazel Allister
Report on Nationality and Borders Bill
Update on families from Afghanistan and Syria
Update on Sherko Must Stay campaign
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM Spanish Music Event, December 4th Ashford in the water, Village Hall. all profits to our refugee solidarity work.
Venue: Monkey Park, 128a Chester Street, Chesterfield S40 1DN
Or contact Jeannie for the Zoom link: Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Stand Up To Racism – News Update
September/October 2021
NEWS ON AFGHAN REFUGEES:
We have now delivered 10 car loads and 2 van loads of aid. Thank you to everyone who donated and drove. We are expecting our first Afghan family to be housed in Derbyshire in mid-October under the resettlement scheme.
NEWS ON SHERKO MUST STAY:
We have over 67,000 names on the petition now. His lawyers have been given leave to appeal against the court hearing which found against him. This is very good news.
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE MONDAY OCTOBER 11th 7.0pm on Zoom.
Contact Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com for details
Protest at the Conservative Party Conference
29th September 2021
Coach to Manchester leaves Sunday 3rd October at 10.30am from Chesterfield Town Hall. ( £10). The protest will demand safe passage for all refugees, protection of their legal right to claim asylum here and a halt to the deportations. We will be joined by the Drive2Survive campaign against the Police Bill, which criminalises the nomadic way of life. Plus Climate Justice activists. Called by the People’s Assembly.
Contact Jeannie to book: Chesterfieldsutr@gmail.com
High Peak Welcomes Diversity Project – Update
25th August 2021
High Peak Stand Up to Racism is inviting local shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants to join our campaign. Businesses and venues on the list sign up to the following:
- We commit to welcoming all, whatever their ethnic and cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification or disability.
- We support diversity and inclusion throughout the High Peak
More details on the campaign can be seen on our dedicated page
See the launch video here: https://www.facebook.com/SUTRHighPeak/videos/958013421696951/
And see how the Glossop Times reported the growth in the campaign:
High Peak Stand Up To Racism hold vigil for Afghanistan
18th August 2021
People calls for more refugees to be allowed entry into the UK and for an end to foreign military intervention
Refugee Week 2021 Myths and Facts
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Stand Up To Racism
Who is a refugee?
Who is an asylum seeker?
What are the myths and facts about refugees? For World Refugee Day on Sunday 20th June we offer some myth-busting facts.
– Is the refugee crisis a threat to European values? NO!
– Are refugees bad for the economy? NO!
On our resources page you can see the evidence and more facts… click here
Derbyshire-wide solidarity on first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd
25th May 2021
Hundreds of people across Derbyshire turned out to mark the first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Events ranged from the personal commemoration to public ‘taking the knee’. See pictures in the gallery here
Derbyshire Times: in pictures – People of Chesterfield Remember George Floyd a Year On
25th May 2021
Read the article here
High Peak Stand Up To Racism show solidarity with Palestine under attack from Israel
25st May 2021
Hugh Peak SUTR demonstrated in Glossop on 21st May in solidarity with Palestine.
See the images in the gallery here
Press Release Responding to Mathew Parris’ Call for a Blanket Ban On Travellers
18th May 2021
You may have read an article by Matthew Parris, former MP West Derbyshire, on Travellers in The Times, picked up on what he said via Twitter or seen his Daily Mail article. He calls for a blanket ban on the rights of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers people who’ have no place in modern Britain’, after a very small group of travellers parked in a car park in Matlock.
Parris talks about “walking through the site two or three times a week”. He may have passed three vans but but it’s a fair bet he hasn’t walked through the site as you can’t get out the other side. Our supporters, on the other hand , have been to the site, talked to the residents, seen how clean and tidy it is. There are toilets and bins provided by the Council but no water on the the site – these people have had to buy water for the past many months they have been forced to remain here due to Covid.
In this disgraceful article Parris says ‘we should stop forcing local authorities to create Traveller sites” and “phase out the ‘ethnic minority” rights of people who are not a race but a doomed mindset”. We want to remind people that Travellers (Irish Travellers and Romany Gypsies) are a recognised ethnic minority, whether they travel or not. Removing their rights because they don’t all travel is like saying a friend from Barbuda is not Barbudan because she lives in the UK,
He adds ‘authorities should begin a gradual but relentless squeeze on anyone who tries without permission to park their home on public property or the property of others”. Just a reminder that the Derbyshire Dales District Council was charged with finding a site for Travellers (along with every other authority) by the government, and has spectacularly failed to do so for many years. Travellers on sites pay rent and rates, electricity and the usual costs, and save authorities thousands of pounds that they would have spent on the process of moving Travellers on.
We question how you can have ‘a blanket ban’ on a whole group of people? No matter how ‘gently’ they are ‘phased out’ this has clear echoes of genocide.
In contrast to Parris’ attitudes, it has been heart warming, recently to see support on various Matlock social media sites, for the Travellers. Let’s continue to support them against racist attitudes like these.
Support Care4Calais and oppose the Asylum Bill!
Stand Up To Racism is supporting the Care4Calais campaign to oppose the government’s plan for an Asylum Bill which represents further scapegoating of refugees and migrants. Care4Calais has five graphics which highlight the arguments – see the thumbnails here.
Lager versions shareable on social media can be seen here.
Care4Calais is also asking you to write to your MP as part of the campaign to put pressure on parliament to stop the proposed legislation. You can use your own words or copy and share their model letter.
School Children in Chapel-en-le-Frith Celebrate Diversity
Year 6 pupils at Chapel-en-le-Frith C of E primary school have produced some stunning paintings on the theme ‘Diversity is beautiful’.
To see the pictures made by pupils in full, look in the gallery.
People of Hayfield show their opposition to local example of prejudice & hate
The people of Hayfield came together on Saturday April 10th, socially distanced but united in their opposition to prejudice, discrimination and hate, after a swastika was scrawled on the back of a van belonging to a much loved member of the community. Posters were taken away to put in windows and everyone expressed their solidarity and their desire to ensure that ‘Hayfield Welcomes Diversity.’
Supporters came from across Derbyshire, including from Chesterfield, Buxton, Glossop and New Mills.
If you would like to know more about the High Peak Stand Up To Racism group you can contact them at highpeakstanduptoracism@gmail.com or find them on Facebook
More pictures of the event can be found in the gallery.
National Protests against the Police and Criminal Justice Bill – statement from High Peak SUTR
Supporters of High Peak Stand Up to Racism came out onto Glossop High Street on Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against the Police and Criminal Justice Bill, which threatens to criminalise peaceful protest.
They were also demonstrating against the Race Commission report which had just been published and had concluded that there is no institutional racism in this country.
‘This was a shocking conclusion’ said the group’s Secretary Linda Walker, ‘and one which has been widely criticised as a whitewash. Lady Doreen Lawrence, Windrush Campaigners, academics falsely named as contributors to the report, historian David Olusogu – all have expressed their dismay at a report which seems designed to set back the fight against racism.’
The Race Disparity Unit set up by Theresa May found that black people are nine times more likely to be stopped and searched; four times more likely to die in childbirth and five times more likely to be excluded from school in some parts of the UK.
High Peak Stand Up to Racism welcomes support from anyone who wants to see a fairer society with equal access to education, healthcare, jobs and justice for all. If you would like to know more you can contact them at highpeakstanduptoracism@gmail.com or find them on Facebook
For pictures of the protest look in the gallery.
Press release: “Tory commissioned ‘CRED’ report was always going to be a whitewash” say anti-racists
standuptoracicm.org – 31st March 2021
Read it here
UN World Anti-racism Day – March 20th
On Saturday March 20th, Anti racists in towns and cities across Britain and internationally, came together to show our resistance to racism in all its forms. In Derbyshire activists took the streets in Glossop, New Mills, Matlock, Derby City and Chesterfield. We estimate over 200 people joined in and hundreds more took selfies with posters to support the action. For pictures of the various events see the gallery.
Many Town and City Halls were lit up on Saturday evening and over 1,00 people came to an online rally hosted by the TUC and SUTR. It included speakers from America, Italy and Greece. During the day huge protests took place in Athens and Paris, and cities in all these countries joined in: Denmark, Norway, Turkey, Germany, Ireland, USA, Portugal Poland Spain, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Russia.
See the background for the day of action here.
The next day of action will be Saturday May 22nd the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. Please get in touch to join in the movement.
Chesterfield residents share their experiences of racism
Derbyshire Times 19 March 2021
Read it here
Stand Up to Racism Derbyshire Press Release 10 March 2020
Millions watched the Megan and Harry interview on Monday night and most would have been very disturbed by the revelations. The programme showed that racism is still deeply embedded in our institutions and in the media. Rather than celebrate that the Royal family was beginning to reflect multi-racial Britain through the birth of Archie, this event has brought about the biggest crisis since the death of Princess Diana.
Stand up to Racism does not believe that racism is just a few ‘bad apples’ but a social problem rooted in Britain’s imperial past. In order to justify the slave trade and the profits that enriched Britain, a set of ideas were developed that black people were inferior and sub –human. They could be bought and sold like any goods in the market. Colonial expansion across the globe was justified as a civilising mission. These ideas and the inequalities which came with them have left a legacy for us today.
An example is the disproportionate deaths of black, Asian and minority ethnic people during the pandemic which are linked to structural inequalities. The strength of the Black Lives Matter movement in Britain is testament to the fact that black people know they are discriminated against at work, in education, in housing, in the health service. The hostile environment for migrants and refugees is still in place.
However, the fact that we have a vibrant anti-racist movement in Britain involving both black and white people is to be celebrated. That our premiership players still Take the Knee is important because the racist abuse still keeps flowing.
- We are proud that Chesterfield Football club has made a video involving senior players and staff opposing racism. This will go out on their social media on Saturday 20 March at 2.00pm to celebrate United Nations Anti-racism Day.
- We are proud that Chesterfield Borough Council is supporting an initiative for children in schools to design a poster or write a poem to go out on that day.
- We are proud that local faith groups and trade unions have pledged support for events on that day. Saturday March 20th will be a day we can stand together in solidarity against racism. To find out more visit https://linktr.ee/DerbyshireSUTR/
‘Biggest crisis since Princess Diana death’: Chesterfield Stand up to Racism issues powerful statement after Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah Winfrey –
Read the Derbyshire Times report on the press release here
Derbyshire Black’s Head pub to be renamed as part of ‘anti-racist stance’
Read the DerbyshireLive article here