President, Conferance, comrades and friends.

Seán Brady: Community and voluntary branch – Greater Belfast.

Forgive my nervousness as I am a first time speaker. I am the chairperson of an annual event in Belfast – the anti racism world cup – which, through sport, education and fun helps strip away the residue of fascism, imperialism and racism in our society.

Yesterday, in Belfast the anti racism world cup 2009 was launched with the support of over 40 community and voluntary groups from north, south, east and west Belfast, including of course UNISON.

I know, that many new friends I have met at this conference, are involved in similar projects right across Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and further afield.

And i’m in awe of the truly progressive nature of this conference and humbled to stand before you all.

But also, I am livid with anger at events back home, and it is this anger that has compelled me to speak here today.

My city, and country is no stranger to racism, bigotry, fascism and imperialism. In fact in many ways narrow-mindedness and discrimination is systemic.

At the start of the week Romanian families living in Welsley Avenue were attacked by bed fellows of the BNP.

The Sunday papers, days before, reported that the BNP were operating in secret call centres throughout Belfast – one of which is in Dundonald disguised as a plumbing supplies firm. We can only imagine what information and advice these call centres give out.

Those who staff these centres are intrinsically linked to the BNP and Combat 18.

So, in the same week that the anti racism world cup was launched in Belfast and supported by UNISON and my branch - racist and fascist attacks were launched  on the newest and most vulnerable members of our community, by the friends of Nick Griffen.

We in UNISON’s community and voluntary branch and colleagues and comrades across our region will not stand for this.

As we speak, 109 members of the Romanian community are now seeking refuge in places of worship and community centres. Lynch mobs last night and this morning, forced them from their homes. In 2009!!, lynch mobs!!

In scenes reminiscent of the Pogrom’s, which saw thousands made refugees at the hands of fascists in Ireland 40 years ago, again the most vulnerable are under attack.

UNISON has stood up to these thugs before and will again

I believe that education and understanding can bridge enormous gaps between people and communities. That’s why i’m a community activist, and why I play my small part, however, no amount of education, understanding or outreach will change people like the BNP and Combat 18.

They represent all that is regressive in human culture, a narrow-mindedness and raw racism that belongs to the world of centuries ago, where it was ok to take Africans as slaves, to colonise and brutalise, where anyone who’s skin was not that of the white European was an underclass - an animal.

Thankfully society as a whole has progressed, but some political parties and governments have not.

It is therefore up to us, activists, and ordinary people in every workplace and walk of life, to usher in the time when attacks such as those last night in Belfast, and parties such as the BNP, are remnants of a primal age in our collective history.

My colleagues in the RVH and city hospital branches are en route as we speak to show solidarity and support to the victims of these latest attacks.

I’m here to tell you all that I as an activist, my branch, and my region as a whole will smash Combat 18 in our community, will stand up to the BNP and any group, party or individual who gives them cover, and I implore you all, my colleagues, to do the same.

Thank you.