Monmouthshire takes ‘Wear Red Day’ campaign digital in solidarity against racism

Monmouthshire schools, council colleagues and community groups donned red to show their support for Show Racism The Red Card’s sixth annual ‘Wear Red Day’ on Friday.

The current pandemic has not stopped people from showing their solidarity for the important cause, with colleagues sharing their selfies of their red attire or turning their online work profiles to an image of the Wear Red day logo. Schools have also supported the campaign, with pupils across the county swapping their uniforms for their own red clothing. They were joined by the friendship initiative My Mates who enjoyed an online discussion about the event.

The national day of action encourages schools, businesses and individuals to wear red and donate £1 to help facilitate the delivery of anti-racism education for young people & adults throughout England, Scotland & Wales.

Every penny raised during Wear Red Day enables the campaign to work with more young people and adults across the UK to challenge racism in society. This can help to ensure people report instances of hate crime, victims get the support they need and those committing it are met with justice.

Cllr Sara Jones Cabinet Member for Social Justice said: “I’m so proud of the overwhelming support shown by Monmouthshire colleagues, schools and community initiatives on what it such an important day recognising the inequalities and discrimination faced by many in 2020. We are a community built on embracing diversity. Racism absolutely has no place in this county and everyone here should feel safe and welcome no matter the colour of the skin, their culture, their sexuality, age or religion.”

Wear Red Day coincides with the rounding up of Hate Crime Week which has highlighted the injustices and discrimination faced by members of the community. Monmouthshire County Council has been sharing messages of what hate crime is and how people who experience hate crime can report it. As part of the coverage, colleagues had the opportunity to hear from the council’s Community Cohesion Officer, Shaz Miah, who is from the BAME community. He shared his experience of the challenges he and his family have faced during lockdown and how he overcame those challenges which included making his own Mosque at his home.

Speaking of his experience, Shaz said: “We spent Ramadan as best we can during the lockdown. We transformed a room in our house into a mini mosque so that we can all pray together in congregation. Building the Mosque was great fun. I involved the whole family in the construction process. Having built the mini Mosque we felt more spiritually connected and had so much fun at the same time. If we find ourselves in a similar scenario again then I hope this mini Mosque idea will have inspired people to do the same because it’s fun and children feel part of the whole process.”

He added: “The people of Monmouthshire are truly amazing, the level of support offered by communities across this vast area is huge. For me personally the support I received from my colleagues at MCC during this difficult time has been incredible. I am confident that we will beat this virus and move on with our lives”

To report racism or hate crime, contact the police on 101 or 999, report online via www.report-it.org.uk or in confidence to Victim Support https://www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk