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Recent public discussion on the statue of Young Irelander John Mitchel at John Mitchel Place in Newry has resulted in a meeting of the council's Equality and Good Relations Reference Group.
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There have been calls for removal of the statue due to Mitchells support for slavery during the Black Lives Matter campaign earlier this month.
The Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Councillors’ Equality and Good Relations Reference Group met last Friday 19 June 2020 and following constructive discussion between Elected Members on the John Mitchel statue and John Mitchel Place the group in a statement have said that officers will "proceed to clarify responsibility for the John Mitchel statue, develop options for an education programme, identify the origins of John Mitchel Place and give consideration as to other potential issues in relation to slavery within the Council area.”
The Councillors’ Equality and Good Relations Reference Group is a facilitated discussion space which is the Council’s vehicle for considering and discussing politically sensitive and contentious issues to reach a common understanding, agreement and actions.
