Out and About: Aberdeen Unity March
Anti-racism campaigners set to take to city streets ahead of the Holyrood election
When: Saturday 18 April, 10 AM
Where: Assemble at Rubislaw Terrace
Connect: Stand Up to Racism Aberdeen
Aberdeen has been one of several Scottish cities where far-right groups have held regular street protests over the past year. This April, anti-racism campaigners are planning a unity march to make a public case for a different kind of city: one that welcomes refugees and rejects hate.
The march is part of a series coordinated by Stand Up to Racism Scotland, running across the country between March and May. The timing is deliberate. With Holyrood elections in May, organisers argue that a strong Reform UK result could give far-right politics a daily platform in the Scottish parliament and embolden street-level activity in return.
From counter-protest to march
Sustained counter-protesting and community organising has, according to Stand Up to Racism Scotland, reduced far-right turnout in Aberdeen significantly. The contrast with last summer is stark: a protest outside a Falkirk hotel housing asylum seekers drew what the organisation describes as the largest far-right gathering in Scottish history. Aberdeen's 2026 mobilisations have been small by comparison, often under 50 people.
The unity marches aim to build on that by bringing together local campaigners, trade union branches, trades councils and faith groups. A Scotland-wide rally in Glasgow on 9 May follows the local events.
Marchers will assemble at Rubislaw Terrace at 10:30am on Saturday 18 April.
