Residents in Nottingham are being asked to stand against racism and join events happening across the city to mark World Anti-Racism Day 2021.
The international day, commemorates the Sharpville massacre in South Africa which happened on 21st March 1960. A day of action has been called on the nearest Saturday to that date each year by organisations around the world, in Britain it is led by Stand Up To Racism & the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
The day is usually marked with public events. However, due to Coronavirus this year events will be taking place online in cities and communities around the world.
In the lead-up to the day, the Council House in Old Market Square will be lit in Purple on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th.
Every day this week there will be events taking place across Nottingham. A full list of events is below and highlights include:
- Learning the lessons from the past in Nottingham about racism, the colour bar and standing up for justice – particularly in the 1950s and 60s.
- A Night of Poetry and Solidarity, where local poet Manjit Sahota explores the issues of identity, history through poetry and spoken word. He will be joined by over 20 other local & national contributors
- An online workshop, run by Nottingham Together to discuss everything we have in common, rather than the things that separate us
- A series of events, including a panel discussion on how COVID-19 has affected minority groups, hosted by the University of Nottingham
- A discussion event on how we can bridge the gap of the health divide in a post-pandemic world.
On UN Anti-Racism Day on Saturday 20 March, rallies will be happening across the world on digital platforms starting from 1pm onwards. People are being encouraged to take the knee to support the cause during the event and there will be live link-ups from other rallies across the word. The theme for the event is ‘No to racism, islamophobia, antisemitism and fascism’ and there will be talks from communities and organisations from across the county on the anti-racist movement.
Cllr Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Highways and Strategic Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham is a diverse city, a place where people from different backgrounds get along well together. But we know that there are still people who are subject to racist abuse and it must stop. As a city we will not tolerate any form of racism, hate or prejudice towards any group.
“The growth of the Black Lives Matter movement has shone a fresh spotlight on the issue of racism and as a council and a city we won’t be silent on these issues.
“We are proud to be supporting World Anti-Racism Day and we would encourage our residents to join the events happening this week, to show support, solidarity or to educate ourselves and understand more about how different forms of racism can affect people’s lives.”
Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police will also be promoting their new website designed to help people respond effectively to prejudice. The website www.NottinghamTogether.com provides resources created with Nottingham people who have lived experience of responding to prejudice themselves. Their knowledge and advice has been captured into videos and handouts to provide guidance to others.
Anybody experiencing a hate crime or hate incident should always report it to the Police by calling 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency. It can also be reported online on True Vision: www.report-it.org.uk
For more information about hate crime visit: https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/hatecrime
Tuesday 16 March – 6pm to 7.30pm
Racism, the Colour Bar and Standing up for Justice in Nottingham
Join the Zoom Meeting through
this link: http:// https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4440044354?pwd=SkhQWXQrT2M5ZXZRUFkzdHludUpXUT09
Meeting ID: 444 004 4354 & Passcode: 2hgXDh
Wednesday 17 March – 7pm.
PAR + World Against Racism: A Night of Poetry and Solidarity
Join local poet Manjit Sahota to explore the issues of identity, history and what we have in common, through poetry and spoken word:
Register here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/explore-how-we-have-more-in-common-with-poet-manjit-sahota-tickets-144006133221
Thursday 18 March – 10.30am
University of Nottingham Diversity Festival: Impact of Covid-19 on minority group
Details of the event are here – https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/diversityfestival/events/keynote/diversity-festival-impact-of-covid-19-on-minority-groups.aspx
Thursday 18 March – 6.30pm
Decolonising
Medicine: Bridging the Health Divide in a Post-Pandemic World.
Join the Zoom
event here – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2231613604?pwd=UDVwelRFMWVZaWsvVWVoVUJ4dlgwdz09
Meeting ID: 223 161 3604 Passcode: 200249
Saturday 20 March – UN Anti-Racism Day 2021
World Against Racism Online Rally – 1pm onwards
1pm to 2pm: people will be taking the knee across the country, with a live link-up to events taking place around the world. A national online rally will take place at 5PM with internationally known speakers from Britain and around the world
Join the event by booking here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/144644055263
Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th March – various times
We all have more in common than the things that separate us!
Let’s celebrate our differences and similarities to build a stronger community! Join local poet Manjit Sahota to explore the issues of identity, history and what we have in common, through poetry and spoken word:
Register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/explore-how-we-have-more-in-common-with-poet-manjit-sahota-tickets-144006133221