RAPAR public statement in solidarity with Ameen Hadi

Ameen Hadi is an honest, principled and intensely committed political activist who works to advance all forms of human rights and, by the same token, is a tenacious, insightful and tireless campaigner against all forms of human rights violations. We know. In 2001, Ameen was a founding member of our human rights organization, RAPAR. When the organization was formally launched in the City of Salford Council chambers, Ameen was integral to those proceedings and, through his workplace roles as a community safety officer and a trade union representative, he has worked in partnership with RAPAR ever since.

The attempt to manipulate footage in order to criminalise Ameen by casting him in the role of a man who raises his hand for anything but a vote for strike action, in self defence, or to protect others, is anathema. That is, the allegation is loathsome, as loathsome as the fascists who have made it.

At this juncture, RAPAR is deeply disappointed and disturbed by the position taken by his employer, Salford City Council and unequivocally calls for their immediate lifting of the disciplinary investigation, to be followed swiftly by their wholehearted pledge to protect and support him in his battle – which is our battle – to clear his name.

RAPAR Chair of Trustees, Farid Vahidi says: “RAPAR is no stranger to unscrupulous attempts to attack the personal reputations of any and all of our members who walk the walk of achieving equal human rights as well as talk the talk. Ameen is such a member and our support for him is unconditional. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you Ameen, as you have always stood with us. Solidarity.”

UPDATE ON 20th MARCH: from actionnetwork.org:

Defend Ameen Hadi and Salford City UNISON against the Far Right

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with trade unionist and lifelong anti racist campaigner Ameen Hadi. He has been placed under investigation by Salford City Council, following a malicious allegation, driven by far right YouTubers and Fascist Tommy Robinson, after a TOGETHER unity rally in Manchester on International Women’s Day.

Full Video evidence from the day clearly shows that the claims against Ameen are unfounded.

A newly elected woman MP, Hannah Spencer, was abused, intimidated and threatened by a number of far right agitators. Ameen was surrounded and attacked. It is unacceptable that he is now facing investigation from his employer Salford City Council.

These far right, monetised YouTubers have regularly disrupted, abused and physically attacked a number of campaigns including: the Manchester Climate Justice demonstration; Palestine vigils; the MP Zarah Sultana and stewards at a Stop the War meeting; people defending refugees outside hotels, as well as targeting asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups.

They have also made numerous abusive, racist, homophobic, anti trans comments and threats of violence to Salford City UNISON Branch officers and their families, resulting in the temporary closure of the branch office on grounds of safety.

Signatories include:

John McDonnell MP; Kim Johnson MP; John Hendy, KC and Member of House of Lords; Maryam Eslamdoust, TSSA General Secretary; Sarah Woolley, BFAWU General Secretary; Mark Thomas, NUJ, Campaigner and Broadcaster; Lamin Touray. Actor and Anti Racist campaigner; Daren Ireland, Asst Gen Sec RMT; Martin Cavanagh, PCS president; Mary Doolin, NW Regional Secretary PCS; Marianne Owens, PCS Vice President; Cecile Menard, UCU Scotland Vice President; Mohammed Shafiq, PCS Chair: National Black Members' Committee & DWP Group Vice President; Weyman Bennett, Co-convenor, Stand Up To Racism; Cllr Nathaniel Tetteh, Salford; Cllr John Warmisham, Salford; Cllr Robert Sharpe, Salford; Cllr Chioma Mgbeokwere, Salford; Lee Hunter, Chair, NW FBU; Patrick Brennan, FBU Brigade Organiser, Greater Manchester; Dr C H Bryant, Salford UCU Branch Secretary; Kath Grant, Manchester & Salford , NUJ Branch Secretary; Gawain Little, General Secretary, General Federation of Trade Unions; Glyn Ford, Former MEP, ANL; Kevin Courtney, ex General Secretary NEU; Lindsey German, Stop the War Convernor; Jaffer Hussain, Chair NW UNISON Black Members Committee; Cllr Michael Lavalette, Preston; Simon Thomas, Unite, Stagecoach Stockport Branch Secretary; Kenny Watson, UNITE Branch Secretary; Sohayalla Wilson, Chair NW Unite Region BAEM Committee; Alison Carrington, Unite the Union Branch Secretary Tameside Hospital; Nasar Malik, Trustee Cheadle Masjid; Greater Manchester Stand Up to Racism; Women Against the Far Right North West, GM Climate Justice Coalition.
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The Campaign has received widespread support from MPs, councillors, national, regional and local trade union leaders and bodies such as numerous NEC and regional representatives from UCU, UNISON, NEU, UNITE, as well as campaigners and faith groups

We call for:
• The immediate end to disciplinary proceedings against Ameen
• A clear commitment from Salford City Council and other public bodies that far-right harassment and intimidation campaigns, will not be allowed to dictate disciplinary process against trade unionists and anti-racist activists
• Salford City Council to investigate and report any threatening or abusive emails.
• Support for the Lobby of Salford City Council, called by Salford City UNISON in Defence of Ameen and UNISON on Wednesday 18th March 8am at Swinton Civic Centre, M27 5AW.
• As part of challenging the far right, everyone to join The Together Alliance March in London on 28th March https://www.togetheralliance.org.uk/

Send messages of support to [email protected]

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