“We are here again as artists to use the power of poetry to challenge the monsters
and bigots across the world. When we come together it feels like coming home, a safe place to express ourselves and encourage others to join the poetry resistance movement. Our diversity is our strength, poetry is our weapon of choice, and we welcome all to join the unstoppable force that is Poets Against Racism”

(Manjit Sahota and Robert Punton from Poets Against Racism hosted a great event and open mic at The Malt Cross in Nottingham on Sunday November 16th.)

The monsters exposed in contributions from poets included the political leaders who continue to scapegoat immigrants and refugees fleeing war and oppression in small boats. It was great to see so many poets speaking up against racism in a climate where Fascist groups have been at the heart of attacks on hotels for refugees in the UK over the summer. Stand up to Racism (SUTR) have been organising effective counter demonstrations involving local community groups to counter the violence and hate.  A number of poets exposed the racist nature of the recent far right flag campaign by reclaiming our flags of struggle.

At the finale we stood together in solidarity with Palestine opposing the continuing genocide perpetuated by the apartheid state of Israel.