The Guardian, June 19, 2018

The 15,000-strong violent far-right protest to “free Tommy Robinson” on Saturday 9 June has raised major questions for all those who value our diversity. The racist right are using Robinson to reorganise. Nazi salutes and Islamophobia were at the centre of the mobilisation. This is the first serious attempt since the collapse of the English Defence League (EDL) to develop a racist street movement and give it a political form. It is supported internationally by notorious figures including from the US and the Dutch Islamophobic right.

It is absolutely vital that all who oppose this come together in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive these new developments on the far right back. Donald Trump has played a major role in galvanising the racist right. We will take to the streets for the Together Against Trump demonstration coinciding with his visit on 13 July. And when Robinson’s supporters take to the streets again on 14 July, we will protest against them too. Wherever the far right’s support grows so does racism and violence. Let’s come together to defend our multicultural society from those who spread hatred and division.

Diane Abbott MP Shadow home secretary

John McDonnell MP Shadow chancellor

Len McCluskey General secretary, Unite the Union

Dave Prentis General secretary, Unison

Talha Ahmed Treasurer, Muslim Council of Britain

Mohammed Kozbar Chairman, Finsbury Park Mosque

Rabbi Lee Wax

Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett Co-convenors, Stand Up To Racism

Ged Grebby Chief executive, Show Racism the Red Card

Richard Burgon MP Shadow justice secretary

Laura Pidcock MP Shadow minister for labour

Cat Smith MP Shadow minister for voter engagement and youth affairs

David Lammy MP

Emma Dent Coad MP

Marsha De Cordova MP

Andrew Gwynne MP

Peter Hain Labour, House of Lords

Claude Moraes MEP

Julie Ward MEP

Jean Lambert MEP

Tim Roache General secretary, GMB

Kevin Courtney NEU, Joint general secretary

Mark Serwotka General secretary, PCS

Dave Ward General secretary, CWU

Matt Wrack General secretary, FBU

Mick Cash General secretary, RMT

Ian Lawrence General secretary, Napo

Steve Gillan General secretary, POA

Manuel Cortes General secretary, TSSA

Mick Whelan General secretary, Aslef

Kevin Maguire Journalist

Michael Rosen Poet

Salma Yaqoob

Roger Huddle and Red Saunders Founders, Rock Against Racism

David Rosenberg Author

Alan Gibbons Author

Dr Siema Iqbal Co-founder of Avow (Advancing Voices of Women against Islamophobia)

Julia Bard National Committee, Jewish Socialists’ Group

Claudia Webbe Labour party NEC and Islington councillor

Margaret Greer National race equality officer, Unison

Harish Patel National equalities officer, Unite the Union

Ian Hodson National president, BFWAU

Tony Kearns Deputy general secretary (postal) CWU

Steve Hedley Deputy general secretary, RMT

Jane Loftus Vice president, CWU

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah Executive director, UK Black Pride

Shahrar Ali Home affairs spokesperson, Green party

Maz Saleem Anti-racism campaigner/Stand Up To Trump

Kate Hudson General secretary, CND

Lindsey German Stop the War Coalition

Kerry Abel Chair, Abortion Rights

Asad Rehman Executive director, War on Want

Sam Fairbairn People’s Assembly