Hate-speech and ‘divisive actions’ will not be tolerated in schools, offices or homes, says Wexford councillor

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Wexford County Council (WCC) has been urged to send a “clear message” that hate-speech will “not be tolerated” in schools, offices, homes, community halls or anywhere else within the county.

Inspired by the creation of the North West Anti-Racism Charter (NWARC) in Co Derry last month, Councillor Tom Forde asked that Wexford adopt a similar policy to that adopted by Mayor Ruairí McHugh on October 7.

At the November meeting of WCC, Cllr Forde tabled a motion he which requested WCC to “formulate and adopt an Anti-Racism Charter similar to the recently developed North West Anti-Racism Charter (cross border initiative), as a matter of urgency; that copies of said charter should be made available and displayed in workspaces, social spaces and anywhere where people gather throughout the county; and that the council invite businesses, community-groups and organisations across the region to avail of the charter and to display it publicly so as to send a clear message that hate-speech and divisive actions are not welcome and will not be tolerated in schools, offices, homes, community halls or any other place."

Created in association with the Bloody Sunday Trust, the North West Migrants Forum and the Irish Network Against Racism, the North West Anti-Racism Charter pledges to “oppose all harm by words and actions on the basis of difference of race and colour…live together, love together, struggle together, thrive together…hold ourselves and others to account for racist words and actions…commit to policies and practices that oppose division by race and colour…promote these attitudes throughout our region in the north west of Ireland…say no to racism”.

While Cllr Forde’s motion was welcomed in the chamber, Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy suggested that any Wexford anti-racism charter be widened to include the Equal Status Act which prohibits discrimination based on, among others, gender, religion, age, and sexual orientation.

However, county secretary Michael Drea said the likelihood was that WCC would be asked to sign up to the North West Anti-Racism Charter at which point any amendments could be included.