The election of Jair Bolsonaro (Report, 29 October) marks an extremely serious point in the rise of the global far right. It came a day after the shocking antisemitic attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburgh, in which 11 people were killed (Report, 28 October).

Notorious for his attacks on women, black and LGBT+ people, Bolsonaro declared that “leftists will have to leave the country or go to jail”. He said “these red outlaws will be banished from the homeland”, and declared refugees “the scum of the earth”.

The alt-right is supporting far-right groups in Europe, North America, and Latin America, including support for Bolsonaro in Brazil. In Britain, a violent, far-right street movement has emerged, mobilizing the biggest numbers in decades. It is receiving political and financial support from Donald Trump’s former chief of staff Steve Bannon and far-right figures across Europe.

The impact of neoliberalism and austerity and cuts on our working-class communities has driven the growth of the far-right. Racism and fascism are a threat to us all.

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(Last updated: April 28, 2020)