Hastings to mark World Against Racism Day

On Saturday (March 20), an international coalition of anti-racist movements will come together for the United Nations’ Anti-Racism Day to oppose all forms of racism and fascism in a global day of action.

In Britain, the day of action is being called by Stand Up to Racism and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

On March 2, an online launch took place in Hastings, chaired by local Hastings creative Anna Maria Nabirye and opened and finished by spoken word poet Paris Grande. The launch included a range of speakers including Nadia Sayed from Stand Up to Racism, Wilf Sullivan, TUC Race Equality Officer, Bella Fashola, from the RMT union, Dawn Dublin, Black Butterfly, Ethan who is a former resident of Napier Barracks and Cllr Maya Evans, Voices for Creative Non-Violence.

Hastings Standing Up to Racism said: “Thanks to Hastings Borough Council, there are striking posters all along the seafront advertising the day. The council will also light up bottle alley in purple which is the chosen colour of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Everyone is being asked to take the knee at 1pm, wherever you are, and there is an international online rally taking place at 5pm.

“Window posters have gone up all over town in flats, houses, shops and businesses. For those planning to walk somewhere along the three miles of seafront from West St Leonards to the Stade around midday, draping a banner on the railings would be a symbolic gesture, while maintaining social distancing.

“You may also spot bike riders with hi viz tabards on their back saying: World Against Racism and Stand Up to Racism.”

Cllr Maya Evans said: “20 March is vital for us in Hastings to express our coming together to oppose racism. We’ll stand in solidarity with refugees and migrants to send a powerful message to those in power that racism will be defeated.

“The day of action is happening in the wake of the historic #BlackLivesMatter movement and the Covid-19 pandemic which has exposed institutional racism at the heart of society by its disproportionate impact on BAME communities.

“The fact that we had so many people at our launch and we now have a growing mailing list shows that this is an issue which unites us. We commit ourselves to working alongside Hastings Community of Sanctuary, HCoS Campaigns Team, Hastings Supports Refugees, the Trade Unions and all other organisations locally, nationally and internationally to eliminate racism once and for all.”

Hastings Standing Up to Racism will be organising further activities in the future. To get involved, email [email protected] or look at their Facebook page.