Thousands rally in Belfast against racism

The several thousand people who gathered at Belfast City Hall this afternoon to say ‘No to  Racism’ are representative of many thousands more throughout Northern Ireland.

While it would be wrong to underestimate the support which people like Pastor McConnell and Peter Robinson have, it would also be wrong to believe that there is not a large and growing body of people who reject racism in any form and who are prepared to publicly declare that opposition.

The physical attacks, the intimidation and the de-humanisation of ethnic minorities are on the increase.

80% of hate crimes are thought to go unreported but last year police in Northern Ireland dealt with more than 980 racist incidents: almost three every day. The majority of incidents occurred in the greater Belfast area and represented an increase of 50% on the previous year’s figures. One-third of all racist incidents in 2013 /14 were acts of violence against the person.

This cannot continue and the mind-set which leads the First Minister of the Assembly to say he would trust Muslim’s to go to the shops has to be challenged and overturned.

This is clearly far too important an issue for the Assembly. This is a matter for everyone in Northern Ireland to become involved in. There must be a robust public discussion about the type of society we want and the values its holds. But in the end the principles are very clear and very simple. Racism is wrong. It will always be wrong.

Photographs from today’s Rally

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/workerspartyni/sets/72157644931147271/

There is a real danger in Northern Ireland that some people just don’t realise how serious the problem with racism is.

The debate we should be having now is about the values we have as a society, the moral leadership that we show and the example that we set.  Recent events are not a soap opera and they are not entertainment. They are real, they are dangerous and they have the support of far too many people.

Today is an opportunity for everyone opposed to racism – in all its forms and guises – to make a public stand  for a Northern Ireland in which citizenship is the benchmark not colour, ethnic origin or religious belief. Racism is wrong. It will always be wrong

Anna Lo

The Workers Party has offered its full support to Alliance MLA Anna Lo and has asked her to reconsider quitting political life.

The Party’s General Secretary John Lowry praised Ms Lo for her stand against racism in the past and urged her to stay and work with all those in Northern Ireland opposed to the type of racist incidents and comments witnessed recently.

  Stark questions

“But there is a bigger discussion to be had”, said Mr Lowry “and it goes to the very heart of this society. What type of society do we want – what are its values and what are its principles”? These are the stark questions which we need to be asking ourselves”

“We cannot afford to simply view these issues as one media headline after another. We are given the impression that all is well in Northern Ireland and that it is getting better. We celebrate international cycling events and other sporting occasions, we talk of increased tourism and a feel good factor – but scratch the surface and we find a deep rooted fundamentalism and conservatism that is inherently racist, homophobic, misogynist and socially reactionary” said Mr Lowry.

Reality

“That is the true reality of life in Northern Ireland and because of it people suffer intimidation, threats and attacks, they are discriminated against, they are devalued and they are de-humanised. Those mind-sets and those cultures need to be confronted, challenged and overcome”, Mr Lowry said.

“We must start the debate about the type of society we want as a matter of urgency. The alternative is to surrender to racism, bigotry and intolerance.” concluded Mr Lowry

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Spanish Civil War (1939), the  International Brigade Commemoration Committee  and Internacia Kolektivo are hosting an event on 23rd May at 7pm in the Realta Civic  and Social Space, 48 King Street, Belfast.

A new booklet, Radical Protestants from the Spanish Civil War to  the 1960s (by Dr Connal Parr) will be launched and the film “Broken Silence”  will be shown.

The event is free and open to everyone.

Il Partito dei Lavoratori accoglie il Giro d’Italia!

The Workers Party welcomes the Giro d’Italia

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Wherever you are this weekend, enjoy the Giro d’Italia but don’t get taken for a ride on May 22nd.

Socialist, secular and anti-sectarian is the only winning team on polling day .

Vote Workers Party No.1

Vota Partito dei Lavoratori il 22 maggio

Marching on May Day: socialist. secular and anti-sectarian

Marching on May Day

The Workers Party joined with thousands of trade unionists, men, women  and children, fellow citizens and people who subscribe to a better way of life to march in this year’s May Day Parade in Belfast.

Those taking part were calling  for a better way of life, a better society and a community united with itself in opposition to sectarianism, racism, sexism and homophobia. May Day is also an opportunity to highlight  demands for jobs and job opportunities, integrated education, an end to barriers and walls and the abysmal failure of the Assembly to deliver on the promises of the Good Friday Agreement.

While others trade in division and difference, emblems and anthems there is a large constituency in Northern Ireland which rejects sectarian politics and sectarian head counting. Those people were marching in Belfast’s May Day Parade.

May Day Parade photographs:

May Day 2014