Video: Ukraine Solidarity Campaign speech at Stop Trump rally in London (17 September)

Our trade union officer was one of the speakers at the opening rally for yesterday’s many thousands strong anti-Trump demonstration in London, organised by the Stop Trump Coalition and others. Below is a clip of a Sky News report, with part of his speech; below that the full text.

We had a lively pro-Ukraine bloc on the demonstration – see below for a photo. And there were many Ukrainian and pro-Ukraine flags and signs all over the demo.

“I’m Sacha Ismail; I’m a socialist and trade unionist based in London. I’m speaking for Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, the UK workers’ movement campaign in support of Ukraine and its workers. Please visit us at ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org, follow our social media, or find us today for a flyer and a chat.

“First I want to send solidarity to our comrades in the United States, who are facing the threat of severe repression even as they continue to fight back. We must stand ready to help them in any way we can.

“Perhaps the only thing Trump despises as much as he despises workers and migrants is nations and peoples denied or threatened with denial of their rights. He especially loathes those with the temerity to resist and fight back.

“We see that in his and his regime’s stance towards the Palestinians, the Kurds and every people fighting national oppression – and not least, of course, the people of Ukraine.

“In addition to the desire to enrich himself, Trump hates the Ukrainians and admires Russia’s dictatorship and its imperialism, like the great bulk of the global far right. Of course, Putin is a sponsor of the far right all over the world.

“The Trump regime’s trajectory is about undermining Ukraine’s resistance and lowering barriers to a Russian victory. The results have been predictable – not peace, but stepped up aggression by Russian imperialism.

“Since the US literally rolled out the red carpet for indicted war criminal Vladimir Putin, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have not lessened but burgeoned. Not long ago a hundred drone and missile strikes a night, across the whole of Ukraine, was a lot. Two weeks ago we saw 800 strikes on Kyiv alone; followed swiftly by incursions in Poland and Romania.

“Supporting liberation for peoples denied their rights is an essential part of fighting Trumpism and the whole global far right.

“We must help the people of Ukraine defeat Russian imperialism. Solidarity.”