The theme of this year's Guardian charity appeal was hope, supporting fantastic projects that foster community, tolerance and empathy. Over the past year our reporting has captured the increased alarm most of us feel over the return of 1970s-style racist abuse, the demonisation of refugees and the resurgence of far-right marches in Britain's streets. I'm delighted that Guardian readers responded with such generosity, warmth and solidarity. Your donations will make a positive difference, sending a clear message about standing up to hate and bringing people together.
It's a good thing conservatives know nothing about the actual history of this country they claim to love so much-otherwise, they'd probably launch a War on Thanksgiving. That's because, if you study the path that Thanksgiving took on the way to its current culturally dominant presence in the calendar, it becomes clear that it's low-key one of America's wokest holidays.
Artists in Britain have customised St George's flags with messages celebrating diversity, in response to a campaign in which national banners have been flown from lamp-posts, outside homes and painted on roundabouts. While for many, flying the flag is a genuine expression of national pride, some flags have been graffitied on businesses and places of worship belonging to minority ethnic Britons, in some cases with slurs, after the launch of the operation raise the colours.
Thousands have gathered in central London for a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with a counter protest by anti-racism campaigners also taking place. Some 1,000 officers have been assigned to the demonstrations, the Metropolitan Police said, with barriers in place to create a "sterile area" between the two groups. "Today London stands tall in defence of one of our most vital rights free speech," Robinson wrote on X.
Randa Abdel-Fattah is an anti-racism scholar and author who lost an $870,000 research grant over criticisms of her stance on Israel. The Palestinian Australian writer also recently withdrew from a writers festival after organisers demanded she and other speakers avoid divisive topics and abide by an anti-Semitism code. In this Unmute, she talks about censorship in academia and a broader effort to silence pro-Palestinian voices in Australia.
Ricky Jones faced trial for stating at an anti-racism rally that far-right activists, described as disgusting Nazi fascists, should have their throats cut. Jurors found him not guilty.
"From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse. While I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and results, I don't agree or think it's OK to target someone's appearance or race."
