United Communities Against Racist Hate

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in Belfast has condemned recent racist graffiti that appeared in Holywood, Co Down.

In a statement issued early today, an IWW spokesperson said, "On behalf of our union, we totally condemn these isolated hate attacks as both anti community and anti worker. The membership of the IWW across county Down, is made up of workers from every part of the country and beyond these shores. They are workers who take care of our elderly relatives. They help look after our relatives when we are vulnerable and sick. They are our public sector workers who form part of our community. They are the backbone of our communities. An attack upon one, is an attack on all of us.

"As a union, we believe that every worker deserves our respect and support no matter what colour of skin they may have. What sexual preference or religion they may have or not have. Those who seek to divide us as workers are anti worker. They are anti community, and we reject you and your agenda of division and hate.

"Wherever we see racist graffiti on the streets where we live. It is the duty of all of us to remove it. Wherever there is acts of intimidation, as workers and as a community, it is up to all of us to show unity and solidarity, to stand side-by-side each other.

"Racist graffiti that has appeared in a shared space is a reminder of the shameful racist rioting witnessed over the last few summers. Reports of some in our communities, as well as far right tourists from England, participating in pogroms directed against some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, went round the world, and made us look like the worst of humanity.

"To those who witness such behaviour should know that there are good people here who reject this behaviour. This minority, of racists and fascists, do not represent nor speak for us. Our communities are open and welcoming, and have for years been integrated and peaceful. As workers, we condemn those who seek to divide workers and our communities."

An injury to one is an injury to all