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Around 100 people attended today's Stand Up to Racism vigil at Daisy Hill Hospital. A hospital staff member and union representatives spoke out in support of workers at the hospital and condemned racism in all its forms. The rally follows reports of healthcare workers and business owners being subjected to racial abuse in recent days.
Nurse at Daisy Hill Hospital, Siju George, a member of Unison and representing black and migrant workers said his thoughts were with the families of those who were murdered in Southport.
"I am from Kerala in southern India, where we are used to trauma. Recently a massive landslide in Waynad took more than 400 of our brothers, sisters and young kids and destroyed many homes. But what is happening now all over the UK and Ireland with the anti-immigrant movement is creating panic and fright amongst those of us who live and work here. Many of my colleagues from Kerala who work in healthcare here have now decided to move to other countries to protect their children and families."
George continued "I too questioned my decision to make this place my home. Then I saw the huge crowd at the anti-racism rally in Belfast last week and I knew my decision was right. I felt my confidence and courage return. I hope this vigil has the same impact on others. This is the right time to say No to hatred, no to racism, no to Islamophobia.
He concluded “We all should rise above the clouds of ignorance, narrowness and selfishness.”
Unison member Deirdre Murphy speaking of recent racist attacks focusing on our Muslim communities said "The explosion of hatred has shocked the whole country and made many in our communities feel unsafe and unwelcome. Here at Daisy Hill Hospital, some of our international healthcare workers have been the victims of racist attacks themselves. Many are scared of their futures here. They, the backbone of our healthcare service, feel vulnerable and unvalued.
Murphy said her colleagues gain great strength from the response of ordinary people who in their many thousands have reclaimed our streets.
She concluded "The only way to fight racism is with solidarity and that is what you see here today. Thank you all for coming.
"In our trade unions, in our community groups and as individuals we must celebrate our diversity and show those whose hate-fuelled ignorance has caused such damage that there is a better way. To fight as one for equality, social justice and proper resources in our health service and housing so we can create a better society for everyone."
Speaker Fiona Doran from United against Racism added "The last few weeks have been truly disgraceful. The explosion of violence in Belfast and elsewhere in the North and South, as well as across the sheugh have demonstrated the need to organise, mobilise and stand against the far right. The good people of our towns and cities on this island have answered it in their thousands. We have stood up and shown that everyone in our community is welcome and that we will protect our neighbours and friends from violence.
"As we in this part of the world are keenly aware. Violence does not happen in a vacuum. The far right are preying on the poverty that has been created by successive governments, with little challenge from Stormont. Right wing rhetoric misdirecting the blame has been platformed by the mainstream media and perpetuated on social media platforms."
Doran believes people can turn the tide. "Coming together to demand better. Holding politicians to account. Never in history has anything been gifted to working class people. We’ve had to fight for it. And there’s no better people to do it than Newry people! UAR will be with you every step of the way!!"
Also speaking was teacher Noreen Kelly, a member of the INTO union. Kelly said "I would like to say to all of our healthcare workers and colleagues as a trade union INTO stands strong and stands proud. We are with you, we support you, and we will do everything that we can to ensure that you know that you are welcome and supported here in our community, doing the great job that you do to support us.
"So together we stand with you, and we will go as far as we need to and we will keep turning up to these events and we will keep getting the message out. We say no to racism. As educators we have a very important role to carry out in our classrooms, to let our children and our colleagues know that there is no place for racism in any place in our country."
Folk singer Tommy Sands finished the proceedings with two of The Sands Family's classics The County Down and Home away from Home.
