The St Andrew's Day Rally Against Racism and Fascism was conceived during the 1980s by the STUC at a time when organised racist groups were attempting to seize on feelings of Scottish nationalism to progress their hate-filled agenda.

Since then every year we have marched on the Saturday closest to Scotland's national day to send the message that we are ever vigilant in the fight against the spread of racist ideas and organised fascism.

During this time we have found the need to respond to various incidents and political trends - the fight for justice for the family of the murdered Surjit Singh Chokkhar and the defence of refugees and asylum seekers being just two examples.

In recent years the rise of the so-called Scottish Defence League has necessitated an organised response from anti-fascist groups in most of Scotland's cities and quite a number of our towns.

Compared to the numbers mobilised by fascists down south, the extent of SDL activity remains low in Scotland and this in part due to the enormous and immediate civic response we were able to muster including politicians of all parties and Scotland's faith community.

This year's march takes place at a key moment in Scottish history, the last St Andrew's Day before Scotland goes to the polls next September to decide its constitutional future.

Whatever one's view on the outcome of the referendum it will be acknowledged that the failure thus far of racist groups to capitalise on the divisions created by the vote are testament to the progress which has been made in combating racism in Scotland.

Indeed, the need to create a more equal and less discriminatory society, which has been a key aim of trade union engagement in the referendum thus far, has been strongly reflected in the positions adopted by the vast majority of the protagonists in what is, otherwise, an increasingly fractious debate.

The political parties in Scotland remain generally free from some of the extreme anti-immigration rhetoric which can be a feature of the British political scene, evidenced by a healthy debate on how best to attract more inwards migration to Scotland in future years.

But it would be complacent and wrong to suggest that the lower activity of organised racists, or the better policy environment in which issues like migration are discussed, amounts to a conclusion that we don't have a problem with racism in Scotland.

Reports suggest a growing incidence in "faith-based" attacks and harassment and the institutional under-representation of the black and minority ethnic community and barriers to progression in employment continue.

At this year's march and rally there is a focus on the key role that sport and culture can play in combating racism. With next year's Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow there will be a spotlight not just on how we treat our visitors, but how we treat our own people. Speakers Dee Matthews from Show Racism the Red Card and Alan White, manager of United Glasgow - a refugee football team - will reflect the practical and political power of sport, whether as a tool to bring together communities or as a means of speaking to mass gatherings of working people.

We are also delighted to be welcoming as a speaker famed performer and songwriter Jerry Dammers, formerly of the Specials fame.

Jerry of course penned a number of important political songs including Ghost Town and Free Nelson Mandela which became one of the anthems of a generation of anti-apartheid campaigners and the boycott movement in the 1980s.

Jerry's visit to Glasgow has included a day spent with school pupils from around Scotland who have penned songs along the themes of justice and equality as part of the STUC's schools songs festival which was held yesterday.

Our final speaker at the rally will represent Hope Not Hate which has played a major and growing role in the battle against organised racism. Hope Not Hate is now 10 years old and over that time it has provided vital support for trade unionists and others highlighting and combating fascist activities.

One of our key messages on the day is the need for trade union branches and activists to provide organisational and financial support for the work they do.

The St Andrew's Day March and Rally attracts support from across communities in Scotland and the alliance between organised labour and political and community groups is at the heart of the STUC approach to combating racism and campaigning for economic and social justice. Once more Glasgow's streets will ring with the cry "No Pasaran!"

Dave Moxham is deputy general secretary of the STUC