West Midlands Against Racism: Unity March and Rally to bring thousands together in Birmingham.
Sunday 4 October 2026 | 1pm | Victoria Square
Community organisations, campaign groups, trade unions, students, faith organisations, climate activists, Palestine solidarity groups and LGBT+ organisations from across the West Midlands will come together in Birmingham on Sunday 4 October for a major West Midlands Against Racism Unity March and Rally.
Over 70 organisations are celebrating the West Midlands’ diversity and standing against racism and far-right division. The organisers are calling on people from across the West Midlands to bring friends, families and colleagues to the march and rally. You can help build momentum by pledging to join (which will also allow you to receive updates):
Organised by Stand Up To Racism Birmingham and TUC Midlands, the event will celebrate the region’s diverse, multicultural and multi-faith communities while sending a clear message that racism, Islamophobia and far-right division have no place in the West Midlands.
“Anti-racism is more than words, it is a lifestyle. We must value all regardless of background.”
Javay, a local teacher
The march and rally will feature live music and performances including:
- Richie Culture & The Visionaries,
- Myki Tuff,
- Skint,
- Dalbir & Friends,
- Elle-J Walters,
- The Cadenzas,
- Banner Theatre,
- Ustad Jaan Ali Khan,
- Kadence,
- Dub Dar,
- DJ Deesh.
Alongside the performers, speakers will include Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union; Salma Yaqoob of Stop the War Coalition; Stuart Richards, TUC Midlands Regional Secretary; Gina Hardy of Women Against the Far Right; and journalist Femi Oluwole.
Read why individuals and organisations with a wide range of political and campaigning backgrounds are coming together to say: the far right does not represent the majority of people in the West Midlands.
The majority are people who live and work alongside one another, who belong to different communities and faiths, and who want a future based on equality, solidarity and respect rather than division and hate.
The Power of Solidarity
The event comes at a time when communities across the country have experienced a growth in racist intimidation, far-right organising and attacks on migrants and asylum seekers.
“As trade unionists, we know the power of solidarity. On 4 October, we have an opportunity to come together in Birmingham and make it clear that division will not win. Our workplaces and our communities are stronger because of the diversity of the people within them. We stand together, we stand against racism, and we stand for a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
Dani Jackson, Midlands PCS Regional Secretary
We will be assembling on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. In 1936 Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists met with resistance across the country, including here in Birmingham. On 4th September 1936, Moseley’s fascists were chased off the streets of London’s East End by a working class who knew that the politics of hate and division offered no solutions. Those politics have not gone away.
For over a year Birmingham has been plagued by far right Raise the Colours who have used the St George’s Cross and the Union Jack to promote anti-immigrant and racist sentiments. The new Birmingham City Council have now acknowledged that the flags are a threat to community cohesion and are seeking a High Court injunction to stop the group.
Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity
“Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity gave birth to Steel Pulse and UB40, carrying the city’s voice onto the world stage. From this powerful legacy, Unite The People, the cultural wing of SUTR, harnesses culture as a creative weapon against racism and fascism, challenging the hate and division that threaten our communities. No force of hatred can silence the music of our solidarity.”
Mukhtar Dar, Unite The People
“I’m looking forward to marching, standing, singing and praying on 4th October, alongside neighbours, friends and strangers, people of many faiths and none, from across this beautiful diverse West Midlands region. As a Christian, these challenging times call me to stand for truth against untruth, for hospitality against hostility, for solidarity against division, for faith against fear, for love against hate.”
Al Barrett, vicar of Hodge Hill Church
“This Unity Rally comes at a time of great need. Racism and fascism are becoming normalised on our streets and in our media and everyday conversations. We have no choice but to come together and fight back. This is what community looks like: Black, brown and white, men and women, young and old, people of different faiths, sexualities and abilities standing together. Birmingham is where I belong and where I want to see safety for all. We are here to stay, and we are united against racism, fascism, misogyny and all forms of hatred.”
Shirin Housee, Birmingham Black Sisters
Women Against the Far Right
Women Against the Far Right will be among the organisations participating, emphasising the need to challenge attempts to exploit genuine concerns about violence against women by directing anger towards migrants and refugees.
“We’re marching together because women’s liberation has always been about collective resistance. The far right doesn’t speak for us, and we won’t allow them to use women’s safety to spread racism and division. Our bloc is a collective feminist voice of defiance. Women standing together, fighting back and refusing to be divided.”
Gina Hardy, Women Against the Far Right
“I’ll be joining my fellow Brummies once again to show that our diversity is our unity, our community and our strength. But I do so with a heavy heart. How many more times must I, as a visibly Muslim Brummie who was born and raised here, join demonstrations to ‘prove’ that I belong in my own home? We need more than words of sympathy from the government. We need real action. Until then, we will continue to stand together and celebrate our diversity loudly and proudly.”
Salma Latif, Brummie teacher
Climate Justice, justice for Palestine
“Palestine belongs in the Unity March because the fight against racism and the fight for Palestinian freedom are connected. We stand against racism and oppression wherever it exists, and in solidarity with Palestinians facing apartheid, occupation and dispossession.”
Naeem Malik – Chair, West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign
“We are marching against the racism of the far right and the corruption of Reform UK which has received over £26 million in donations from fossil fuel interests and climate deniers, accounting for more than two thirds of its total income. That figure has now been dwarfed by the tens of millions pouring into the party from crypto-billionaires. Scrapping net-zero to serve the short-term interests of the rich is madness.”
John Cooper, Birmingham Climate Justice Coalition
“Born and bred in Birmingham, I know the true strength of our city lies in our diversity and solidarity. As a British Muslim mother of neurodivergent children, I refuse to let toxic, divisive politics dictate our future. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us, and it is up to every single one of us to call out hate and stand together.”
Sabiha Aziz, campaigner and Yardley resident