Continue reading Online Abuse: kick hate crime out of football
Wednesday 24 July 10am – 12:30pm
The Old Kirk & Muirhouse Parish Church, Pennywell Gardens
Hearts will close a section of their Wheatfield stand for the last two games of the season in a move to stamp out unacceptable behaviour at Tynecastle. The decision was announced hours after a 19 year old man was arrested and charged for an alleged hate crime committed during Saturday’s Edinburgh derby. Continue reading Hearts act swiftly to stamp out criminal behaviour
Karen Bates made a disturbing discovery at Granton breakwater yesterday …
In contrast to the positivity of wild swimmers at Granton Harbour, we have, in the B listed WWII outposts on the Eastern Breakwater, a pop-up toilet & skip decorated with hostile, racist graffiti.
It can’t be the responsibility of #volunteers to clean up this health hazard. These structures now belong to Granton Central Developments Ltd, bought from Forth Ports.
They either need to be preserved & enhanced as historic buildings, or at least cleaned up so that the many fishers & walkers who enjoy this amazing place, can have a healthy shelter.
I didn’t want to hang around in the stench of urine to read all the #graffiti, but the photos speak for themselves.
Fascist graffiti at Granton Breakwater?! It MUST go. Utterly unacceptable, as are the piles of beer cans, #plasticbottles & fishing litter that strangle our #sealife.
The Council could perhaps put pressure on Granton Central Developments Ltd to maintain their property in a way that is even vaguely in accordance with acceptable standards for a public place, enjoyed by the many.
KAREN BATES,
Wardie Bay Beachwatch
Graffiti comments include “Gas them”, “Kill Poles”, “Hitler was right”, “Polish c**** and more of the same.
Karen has contacted the relevant authorities. Here’s hoping for prompt action – Editor.
Police are appealing for witnesses following a racially-motivated serious assault in Davidsons Mains. The incident happened at around 11.30pm last Saturday (21st July). Continue reading Race hate assault in Davidsons Mains
Continue reading ‘Deeply worrying times’: group records highest-ever number of anti-Muslim incidents
Victims and witnesses to hate crime are being encouraged to continue to speak out, as new statistics suggest more people are reporting incidents. Community Safety Minister Annabel Ewing has urged those affected by incidents of hate crime to report them to the police, ensuring perpetrators can be properly dealt with. Continue reading Victims urged to speak out on hate crimes
Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman is raising fresh concerns about the case of Shahbaz Ali, a Syrian refugee who was stabbed in an alleged racist attack in Edinburgh earlier this month.
Mr Ali has internal bleeding after collapsing while being discharged from hospital and it has now emerged that the City of Edinburgh Council has not allowed Mr Ali’s father to sign a lease on behalf of his son, nor is the Council prepared to visit Mr Ali in hospital to obtain a signature.
The property he was given is in a poor state – dirty and with only one bed and nothing else for furniture. He was promised a clean and furnished property. Mr Ali’s father wanted access to the property to tidy and furnish it, so it is a welcoming and safe environment for his son to recover in.
Andy Wightman MSP said: “It is absolutely appalling what this young man and his family have gone through in the last week.
“At last Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions, the First Minister responded to my question about the attack on Mr Ali by saying that, ‘We want Scotland to be—and to be seen to be—a refuge from war and persecution… The Scottish Government will do what we can, with the local authority in Edinburgh and other groups, to provide as much reassurance and support as possible.’ Clearly that means providing appropriate accommodation.
“However, the difficulties faced by Mr Ali’s father yesterday (Monday) suggest that the City of Edinburgh Council is failing in its duty to house vulnerable refugees. Why did Mr Ali’s father face so many unnecessary barriers when all he wanted to do was to create a safe and welcoming environment for his son to recover from this most malicious of criminal acts?
“The current systems in place to house vulnerable people, including refugees, in Edinburgh need to be rapidly re-assessed. I am shocked by reports of the treatment Mr Ali’s family received yesterday and I urge those responsible to act swiftly to uphold Mr Ali’s human rights in this situation.”
Council leader Cllr Adam McVey said yesterday that access to the flat will be available today and that the council will be doing all it can to support Mr Ali and his family.
An online fundraising appeal Shabaz Ali Appeal – Scotland Says NO To Racism has so far raised over £11,000. You can contribute at https://mydonate.bt.com/events/saynotoracism/464056
It would be good to think this story might yet have a happy ending …
Deidre Brock MP has called for an unflinching look at institutional racism within Westminster following today’s announcement of an inquiry into the Windrush scandal. Continue reading Deirdre Brock: Windrush inquiry must look at institutional racism
Campaign launched to increase understanding and reporting of hate crime
The Scottish Government has joined with Police Scotland and the Crown Office (COPFS) to launch a new campaign against hate crime.
‘Hate has no home in Scotland’ launched during Hate Crime Awareness Week and will run until 26 November. It aims to increase public understanding of what hate crime is, and how to report it – for those who personally experience it and, importantly, bystanders to hate crimes.
More than 5,300 cases of hate crime were reported in Scotland over the past year, with many other incidents going unreported. The campaign has been developed in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders involved in dealing with hate crime and its consequences as a response.
Launching the campaign, Equalities Secretary Angela Constance (above) said: “We all need to play our part to eradicate hate crime, which has no place in Scotland. ‘Hate has no home’ encourages and empowers people to recognise hate crime and report it, stopping this discrimination at its source. That is particularly important when people are bystanders – no one should be a passive witness when one of our fellow citizens is attacked because of who they are.
“We are committed to working with stakeholders, including Police Scotland and the COPFS, to tackle this blight. Ensuring we all take a stand and report hate crime is an important part of creating a fairer country for all. I look forward to seeing the country come together to support the campaign and take a stand against such hate.”
Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, Police Scotland, Safer Communities, said: “People of all races, religions, ethnicities, of any sexual orientation or with any disability should be able to live their lives free from hate or harassment. There is no place for hate in Scotland and it is our communities, who will lead the way in tackling hate crime with the support of police, the Government and other partners.
“Hate crime is under reported, we want to change that and we are asking people not to be bystanders. Speak out, help us tackle hate crime. By working together we can drive prejudice out of our communities and out of Scotland.”
Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said: “Crime motivated by hatred is not only a wrong against the individual, but is an affront to our collective values as a community, creating division and fear. That is why we treat it so seriously and why we will continue to do so.
“The prosecution service, along with our colleagues in Police Scotland and other agencies, plays an essential role in creating an environment in which all people who live in Scotland, regardless of their personal or social circumstances, can have confidence that they live in a just society and that they will be protected from crime.”
More information on the campaign can be found here.
