The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) unequivocally condemns and opposes the racist, anti-migrant violence and intimidation witnessed across Scotland over the past few days.
We stand in solidarity with our Global Majority members, colleagues, collaborators, peers and communities, and with everyone who has been impacted by these events – especially those who are feeling unsafe, anxious or affected.
Scotland’s music industry is built on diversity, creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. There is no place for racism, hatred or discrimination within our sector or our society.
We know that statements alone are not enough.
Change requires sustained action, ongoing accountability and a long-term commitment to addressing the barriers and inequalities that continue to affect people across our society and within our industry.
We recognise our responsibility to contribute to this work and remain committed to doing so.
The Scottish Refugee Council recommends:
“If you feel you are in immediate and life-threatening danger, please call the police on 999. If you are concerned or in doubt, please call 101 for non-emergencies.”
They also provide guidance on reporting a hate crime:
“Report a hate crime if you think you are targeted because of your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity:
- Find out what is a hate crime Hate crime – Victim Support Scotland
- You can report online, by phone, in-person. Find out how to report a hate crime: Reporting hate crime – Police Scotland
- You can report a hate crime with support from an organisation who is not the Police, e.g. Scottish Refugee Council. Find an organisation to report hate crime: Third-party reporting centre.”
We encourage anyone requiring support or information to access the resources linked below:
- Scottish Refugee Council – Safety advice, practical information and support for communities affected by far-right activity, hate crime and discrimination.
- Refuweegee – Safe With Me Campaign – A network of organisations and venues committed to providing visible safe spaces and support for people who may feel vulnerable or unsafe.
- Amina – The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Support, advocacy and services for Muslim and Minority Ethnic women across Scotland.
- Musicians’ Union (MU) – Guidance and a statement of solidarity with Global Majority, refugee and asylum-seeking musicians affected by recent events, alongside the union’s opposition to racism and anti-migrant rhetoric.
- Music Minds Matter – A free mental health support service for people working across the UK music industry, provided by Help Musicians.
- Black Minds Matter UK – Mental health support and resources for Black individuals and communities across the UK, including guidance following racist incidents and unrest.
- Black Minds Matter UK: Guidance Following Racist Violence and Unrest – A resource developed by Black Minds Matter UK offering practical guidance, mental health support information and wellbeing advice for Black communities affected by racism, racial violence and civil unrest.
- The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) – The UK’s largest directory of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean heritage therapists, counsellors and psychologists.
- Tell MAMA – A national organisation that records and monitors anti-Muslim hate incidents and provides support to victims of Islamophobia across the UK