This weekend, Southampton Stand Up To Racism is marking the United Nations International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination with an online event featuring music, poetry, dance and guest speakers.
The event, on Saturday March 20, at 3pm, will showcase young people performing music, dance and reading poetry they have prepared especially for the day about their experiences of racism.
The day will be hosted by local activist Victoria Ugwoeme from the United Voices of African Associations.
The programme includes guest speakers from Southampton Football Club, Black History Month South, and Southampton City Council. Local Community organisations representing various diverse groups will be taking part on the day too.
Veteran anti-racism campaigner Jay Shah, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List Year, will be speaking about his experiences of fighting racism and discrimination in the city over the last fifty years.
Jay said: “It’s important that we mark the day by renewing our commitment to eliminating discrimination and racism.”
Usha, a student in Southampton and one of the organisers of the event commented: “It’s clear many young people are leading the fight against racism here and internationally, especially since the events of last summer and I’m sure we’ll continue to!”
The UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was inaugurated in 1966 to commemorate the 1960 Sharpeville massacre which saw 69 anti-apartheid protestors killed and 178 wounded for taking to the streets against the regime’s racist pass laws.
In commemorating the massacre, the UN General Assembly called on all world states and organizations to participate in a program of action to combat racism and racial discrimination.
YouTube Premiere:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEtGvPlAz4zGnsOarOFxd3w
or search “Southampton Stand Up To Racism” on YouTube
- Main picture: Mike Daish.