Campaign says there is no room for racism

DUBLIN sent out the message last week that there is no room for racism in the capital.

Ireland’s largest anti-racism campaign was launched across the city’s public transport network with the support of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council and transport providers.

The Dublin Anti-Racism campaign will reach 695,000 passengers every day as over 2,000 advertising spaces and social media are mobilised to get the message out.

Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, said Dublin City Council believes this campaign is an important opportunity to make people aware that they have nothing to fear in coming forward to report racism and to end complacency.

“As Lord Mayor I want the message to go out that Dublin is a city where everyone is treated equally and where there is no acceptable level of racism,

? he said.

“I know that local communities and the travelling public are fully supportive of this and reject discrimination in all its forms.

?

A similar campaign in the Greater Dublin Area last year led to a 51 per cent rise in the number of reports of racism, as increased awareness encouraged people to come forward.

This year, as well as using all modes of public transport across the city, the council will be using its public offices to push out the message.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Brian Killoran, Chief Executive of the Immigrant Council added:

“This is an unprecedented national awareness campaign to get the message out that there is no acceptable level of racism.

“Through the use of posters on buses, trains and trams as well as at the busiest stations in the country we will be telling people who witness or experience racism to come forward and report it.

“They can be assured that reports will be taken seriously and victims offered support.

“Last year 217 reports were received. We recorded incidents which took place in the workplace, at home or in the local community or when using public services. They ranged from verbal abuse and physical assault to acts of vandalism and graffiti.

“Now, through the public transport network we are getting our anti-racism message out nationwide. Our partners have taken a lead on this issue which is to be applauded and have set an example for other sectors to follow so we can remove racism from our country.

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Anne Graham, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority, said the awareness campaign sends out the strongest possible message to passengers and staff that,

‘there is no room on board for racism’.

“We have developed a strong relationship with the Immigrant Council of Ireland which has led to improved training and reporting systems in our transport firms,

? she said.

“This campaign will focus on getting the message out to the wider community and increase awareness.

“With 695,000 passenger journeys completed each weekday more people than ever will be getting the message that if they see or experience racism they can come forward in confidence and report it.

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