Police in Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council are continuing to work with the community to create a city free from Islamophobia and associated prejudice behaviour. Continue reading Edinburgh challenges Islamaphobia: Share Vision, Your Decision
The North Edinburgh community will discuss a worrying rise in the number of racist incidents at this afternoon’s Living in Harmony forum at Spartans Community Football Academy. Continue reading Rise in racist incidents sparks community action
‘Scotland is an open and welcoming country and that prejudice, hate and racism will not be tolerated, now or at any time.’
‘We chose to be an open, inclusive and outward-looking society where other EU citizens are welcome to live, work and contribute’ –
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
The Scottish Government’s overriding priority is to protect Scotland’s relationship with, and place in, the EU, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood yesterday. Continue reading First Minister: Scotland has no place for hate and racism
THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY 3 – 5.30pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
A Chinese father of three is being treated in hospital for serious injuries following a horrific attack by three men in West Pilton last night.
The victim suffered multiple injuries – including stab wounds – during the vicious attack which happened near the corner of West Pilton Grove and Park at around 9.30 last night. He has been named locally as Jie Yu, owner of the Peking Garden takeaway on Ferry Road Drive, and it’s thought he confronted to men as they attempted to steal his car.
One of the alleged attackers has since been detained and police say they are following a ‘positive line of enquiry’.
Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “This was a vicious assault which left the victim in need of medical treatment and he remains in hospital in a serious condition.
“Hate crime is completely unacceptable and Police Scotland will relentlessly pursue those responsible.
“I would like to reassure the public that we have devoted significant resources to this enquiry to identify and apprehend those responsible”.
If you have any information call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers in anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Advertising is designed to draw your attention, but the ad men must be rubbing their hands at the publicity two totally different billboard ads – one for camping equipment, the other for the European elections – has generated.
The ads – one for GO Outdoors, proclaiming ‘No Poles Required’, and the other for the UKIP political party were placed together on a site on West Granton Road late last month and it seems the stushie’s still simmering.
Local Forth councillors Steve Cardownie and Vicki Redpath both took issue with the juxtaposition of the posters.
SNP councillor Steve Cardownie said : “It’s insensitive. People might think it’s funny, but that’s the kind of message UKIP are trying to get over. You would have thought somebody would have the presence of mind to realise that”.
“When it comes to questions of immigrant workers we have to be very careful. It’s unfortunate and I would urge the tent company to do what they can to repair matters as soon as possible – it’s too dangerous to be funny.”
Forth Labour councillor Vicki Redpath said “It’s probably a stupid mistake where someone hasn’t thought about the consequences, but all sorts of people could take offence”.
UKIP believe it’s a lot of fuss about nothing. A spokesperson said: “I do not believe people are getting upset – I think people will look at it with a wry smile. The posters are two completely different things juxtaposed in a wry way by accident.”
By accident or design? Clear Channel, the company responsible for posters, said they were put up at the same time. A spokesman added: “We can understand why people would make the connection, but at the same time one is for an election campaign on European bureaucracy and the other is an advert for camping supplies.”
Last week Barbara Robertson of the Granton Improvement Society wrote to Go Outdoors to demand that the ‘No Poles Required’ poster is removed. She said: “I am incensed by the advertising you have recently indulged in whereby the ‘No Poles Required’ poster has been displayed next to a UKIP poster in many places all over Britain. I demand that you remove these posters or be vilified as being part of a racist campaign”.
There has been no response so far.
However not everyone is getting hot and bothered over the billboards. One Newhaven man – who preferred not to be named – stopped when I was taking pictures. He said: “I pass these billboards on the way to work every day and to be honest I never usually notice them. It’s harmless enough and I think it’s quite funny. I don’t know what some people are getting all upset about. Will the publicity maybe make more people vote? I doubt it – now you’re having a laugh!”
An innocent little joke, a simple mistake or blatant racist provocation? Whatever your view, two weeks on the posters are still there …
Four youths have been arrested and charged following a racist attack in West Pilton on Tuesday. A 17-year old, two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today in connection with the incident which took place in West Pilton Terrace.
Inspector David Happs said: “In addition to these arrests, we are continuing with our investigation to trace others believed to be involved. Anyone with information that can assist with these enquiries is asked to come forward immediately.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after two men were subjected to a racist attack in West Pilton Terrace last night (Monday).
Two 18-year-old men, of Arabian and Pakistani ethnicity, were walking home at around 9pm when they reached the junction with West Granton Road. A group of male youths began to shout racial abuse at the pair before throwing rocks and stones at them.
The suspects then chased both victims into their home address before continuing to throw objects at the house, breaking a front window.
Officers are following a positive line of enquiry to identify a number of those believed to be involved in this attack but are urging anyone who can assist with their investigation to come forward.
Inspector David Happs said: “As a result of being struck by rocks, one of the victims suffered an injury to his arm. In addition the property both men share was also damaged and we are undertaking a thorough enquiry to bring those responsible to justice.
“This incident is being treated as racially motivated and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the West Pilton Terrace area on Monday evening and witnessed the disturbance or who saw anything suspicious.
“In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this investigation is also asked to contact police immediately.
“Police Scotland is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms and the local community can rest assured we are devoting appropriate resources to this investigation and offering all the necessary support to both victims.”
Those with information can contact
Police Scotland on 101
or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Edinburgh Unite Against Fascism proudly presents this Saturday (24 November):
the Love Multiculture Hate Racism Festival
celebrating our multi-cultural society with music, song, dance and comedy.
The festival line-up just gets better and better. In the last week we have confirmed: Bollywood dancers, award winning singer Penny Stone, an Indian Stick Dancer, acoustic sets from James Campbell & Scottish folk singer Eileen Penman.
The daytime cultural event will start at 3pm with jazz from Alistair McDonald backed by “Quatro Macjazz”! Between 3 and 7pm we will squeeze in a packed lineup including an African choir, Indian and Kurdish dance workshops, Indian head massage, drummers, Henna Hand painting and speeches by Show Racism the Red Card and Martin Smith from Unite Against Fascism.
Asian and Turkish food, tea and coffee and entry is by donation.
The comedy packed evening will start with the BAFTA nominated rapper Northern Xposure who has performed with Dizzee Rascal and Amy Winehouse. Then Scottish Comedian of the Year runner up Rick Molland will MC a night of four rowdy
comedians, headlined by “the lord of filth” Richard Coughlan. Your entry fee of £5 includes a free curry courtesy of the Kasbah restaurant and there will be an all-night bar. Doors open at 7.30pm, the event starts at 8pm.
Both these events will be hosted at the Summerhall Art Gallery which is showing a great exhibition of anti-racist posters. Entry from Hope Park Terrace – we apologise but there is no wheelchair access.
Facebook event: please invite your friends!: http://www.facebook.com/events/482507955105412/
United Against Fascism Edinburgh
