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date: 25 April 2008

embargo: None

Unions in London urge support for a 'Ring of Democracy' around City Hall

The TUC has called for Londoners to support the formation of a symbolic 'Ring of Democracy' around City Hall. The event will be held at lunchtime, 28 April, and will express the participant's belief that it is vital to keep the far-right out of London's governance.

Megan Dobney, Regional Secretary for the TUC in London, said:

'London rightly has a reputation as a world class city with progressive politics and cohesive communities, a vibrant forward looking city, strengthened by many cultures. The far-right, with its politics of hatred and bigotry, wants to destroy the very diversity that makes London such as fantastic place to live and work.

'Unions in London, campaign groups, community groups, faith leaders and individual Londoners will come together 28 April to foster the politics of hope and oppose the politics of hatred.'

The public appeal to keep the far-right out of London will be supported by some of the hundreds of Unison members employed at the Greater London Authority, representatives of community groups, faith groups and anti-racist campaigners.

Linda Perks, Regional Secretary of Unison Greater London said:

'Unison members that are employed at the GLA are proud of their role in supporting the good governance of London, especially of its commitment to equalities at work and in the community.

'They believe that a breakthrough for the far-right in the GLA elections, 1 May, would be hugely detrimental to London's interests and would have an appalling impact on their lives at work.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The photo op will take place outside City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA. People will assemble from 12.45pm. The photo op will occur at 1.00pm. The event will be over by 1.30pm.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

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- If you are over 18, live in London and are either a UK, European Union or Commonwealth citizenand registered, you can vote in the Greater London Authority elections, 1 May.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

SERTUC [SERTUC is the TUC regional office responsible for London]:

Laurie Heselden T: 020 7467 1292 M: 0781 800 2877 E: lheselden@tuc.org.uk
Unison Branch at City Hall:

Terry Askew M: 07958 040 355

Unison Greater London:
Karen Westwood T: 020 7535 6608 E: mailto:k.westwood@unison.co.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 25 Apr 2008