BLACK workers highlighted concerns over the rise of the far right across Britain and the rest of Europe during Saturday’s debate at the TUC black workers’ conference.

Delegates insisted that the rise of extremism was being fuelled by political parties desperate to push their agenda.

Teacher Ruth Duncan of the NASUWT said: “The far right are targeting young people through social media.

“As exposure to social media grows, so does the rise of the far right.

She added: “Anti-racism must be central to the school curriculum.”

Delegates highlighted how the “hostile environment” had been heightened last summer by misinformation and hate speech on social media.

The events of 2024 were a reminder of the importance of organisations such as Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) that celebrate diversity, encourage community cohesion and engage people in anti-racist activity.

Daniel York Loh of Equity reminded the conference of the barrage of racist abuse that followed the casting of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet in a production at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End.

Musicians Union delegate Gary Oliver spoke of his disgust at the racist riots across Britain last year.

He described the violence as “thuggery whipped up by white male middle-class politicians.

“Rampaging gangs of white thugs dragging black people from their cars and beating them up. Our children feared playing outside.”

Prospect’s Fiona Sim, a first-time speaker, gave a powerful contribution on the racist killing of Bhim Kohli in a Leicester park last year while he was out walking his dog. 

The attack took place days after last year’s riots.

Ms Sim also told of a survey in which 90 per cent of respondents described the film industry as suffering from “systemic discrimination.”

She said: “It is up to us to make our sector a safe place for black workers.

“In order to defeat the far right,we must stand on the shoulders of the giants who have gone before us and turn our slogans into action.”

RMT’s Nathan Wallace highlighted the role of Stand Up to Racism, LMHR and other groups prepared “to fight the good fight.”

“The far right are also organising in our workplaces,” he said.

“We have to make it clear that unions speak on behalf of the working class.

“We must challenge their rhetoric. Our notice boards can also be the battlefield, but we must engage in conversations in the workplace.”

“We must remove anyone from the far right that tries to infiltrate our trade unions,” Mr Wallace added.

“We must remain internationalist and resist the worldwide rise of fascism.”