Defend Ameen Hadi against the Far Right

For many years I trudged around carrying a six foot by seven banner of PCS DWP Liverpool branch displaying the legend “Solidarity Forever”. Such sentiments are at the heart of Trade Unionism. This is why I bring to your attention the case of Ameen Hadi, a long-standing union rep for Salford City Council UNISON. The attack is also an attack on the union branch itself. 

The facts of the case are straightforward. Following a Together Alliance demonstration in Manchester on 8 March Ameen, and newly-elected Green MP for Gorton and Denton Hannah Spencer, were surrounded and assaulted by far right activists. Footage of the incidents show this clearly. However instead of defending Ameen, Salford City Council have treated him as the instigator and suspended him. 

He has since been informed that following a management allegation against him that the charges had been “proven” despite the fact that he has never been given the chance to offer evidence or present his case. The council have simply taken the allegations from supporters of Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) as fact. He has yet to be informed what the allegations against him are.

Phrases like “ Solidarity Forever” can often be platitudes but in this case we have to mean it. We cannot allow the victimisation of trade unionists on the say-so of people with agendas hostile to the Trade Union movement in this way. We must defend Ameen and any anti-racist activists in this situation. As a group of retired members currently with just £20 in our account we are limited by what we can do financially but we have written to Salford City UNISON to express our support and I will keep members updated on their campaign. Who knows? We may even take the banner on a day out to Salford.

How You can Help

• Email Salford City Council calling on them to end disciplinary proceedings against Ameen Hadi: citymayor@salford.gov.uk and cc. defendameen@proton.me

• Send messages of support to both Ameen and Salford City UNISON branch at office@salfordcityunison.org & defendameen@proton.me

• Sign the peitition to defend Ameen Hadi and Salford City UNISON against the far right. Click here to sign. 

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