We write with some guidance following the National PSC Officers Branch meeting on 6th August, and the release of their Press Statement https://palestinecampaign.org/defeating-the-far-right-demands-consistent-anti-racism/.
We hope these locally devised guidelines will help us navigate the challenges caused by the far right’s actions and sudden surge of widespread violence.
National PSC are not discouraging local mobilisation. Many local branches are taking action – more often than not with others, for example alongside Stand Up to Racism. We’ve been advised to use our local knowledge and our own judgement about what’s appropriate for our area and what actions to take. National PSC do however stress the overall need to keep people safe and out of harm’s way; for example, holding a rally rather than a march is easier to manage and steward.
In terms PSC’s fundamental aim of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, we should be wary of straying too far from this. However, PSC is an anti-apartheid movement and as such is part of the wider anti-racist movement challenging the far right.
There are channels where anti-racist activists are already fully engaged, not only in the debate but informing us all about what’s happening on the ground. We strongly encourage all those in Norfolk PSC who want to take action to join the Stand Up To Racism East Anglia WhatsApp chat, https://chat.whatsapp.com/LrGu1KXJtYq5xm9DmB13mu where immediate and current information can be seen about where the far right are active and what anti-racist activists are doing about it.
We can also catch up on current information on the Stop the War WhatsApp chat. Many NPSC members and supporters are in both groups.
Finally, we urge caution in posting, or forwarding, anything that could be seen as inflammatory or construed as inciteful or which brings Norfolk PSC, National PSC or the wider Palestinian cause into disrepute.
Thank you for your support, your solidarity and your activism.
Caroline Riley, Treasurer, Norfolk PSC and Claire Collen, Secretary, Norfolk PSC
7th August 2024