Anti-racists will take to the streets of Cardiff on Sunday in an all-Wales show of unity against racism.
The march is part of the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination, established by the United Nations to remember the day when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. Protests will be held around the world, with Cardiff marching alongside people in Glasgow and London.
Cover image: Justice for Mouayed Bashir protest, one of the campaigns backing the march. Tom Davies
The Cardiff protest will begin at 12 noon, City Hall on Sunday 20th March, and has been co-organised by Stand up to Racism and the Wales TUC, who have asked its affiliate unions to send banners and delegations.
Wales TUC General Secretary Shavanah Taj, the first person to hold the position from a Black , Asian and minority ethnic background will address protesters on Sunday.
“Saying you are anti racist, simply isn’t enough,” she said. “Action speaks louder than words. Join me, other trade unionists and community, grassroots voices this Sunday, with your family and friends united as one, to say loud and proud: all refugees, all people, no matter who you are, or where you come from are welcome in Wales”.
Speaking at the rallies and leading the march will also be the families and supporters of Mouayed Bashir, Siyanda Mngaza ,Christopher Kapessa and Mohamud Hassan.
Political figures backing and addressing the march include Adam Price, Mick Antoniw and Jane Hutt.
Nimisha Trivedi, one of the organisers of the protest, said that the anger that exploded after the murder of George Floyd, and sparked a global anti-racist movemnet under the baner of Black Lives Matter, has not gone away.
“Some commentators dismissed Black Lives Matter as a moment ,they hoped it would go away, then some commenters and politicians tried to dismiss anti racism as ‘politically correct wokeness’ and even tried to argue that racism didn’t exist’’
“This march will be a wake up call for them,” she said.
The march will see families fighting for racial justice protest alongside football fans against racism, climate campaigners,representatives of Wales’s Roma community, refugees and asylum seekers, trade unionists and politicians.
Cerith Griffiths, a firefighter with the Fire Brigades Union who will join the march with other firefighters, said:
“The only difference between any of us is where we are born. No person should live their life in fear because that is what many have endured. Close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine having to pack as much as you can carry and just leave what you have known for most of your life and heading somewhere for safety…We should be welcoming all fleeing this, we should be helping them rebuild their lives. Today it’s them, tomorrow it could very well be us. Come and join us to show your love and solidarity.”
Otis Bolumo, an asylum seeker who the UK Government tried to deport on Christmas Day 2018, but was halted by a successful campaign, will also lead the protest, which is being backed by a broad spectrum of anti-racist groups in Wales.
Uzo Iwobi, a prominent anti-racist campaigner with Race Council Cymru, said the group was backing the march to “lend our voices to the demand to end racist prejudices and racial discrimination in our society.”
Cymru Rocio Cifuentes, of Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) will also address the protest.
Organisers have raised the issue of the growing cost of living crisis, which will hit Black, Asian and minority ethnic people disproportionately, and said that as a result of the crisis refugees and migrants will be scapegoated by sections of the press and certain politicians.
Speakers and supporters include: Shavanah Taj Wales TUC (MC/Chair), Uzo Iwobi OBE Race Council Cymru, Rocio Cifuentes EYST, Nimi Trivedi SUTR Wales, Otis Bolamu Human Rights Activist, Cerith Griffiths FBU, Abyd Quinn Aziz Race Alliance Wales, The South Wales Justice campaigns, Mick Antoniw AM, Allison Hulmes Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Social Work Association, Jane Hutt Minister for Social Justice Welsh Government, Adam Price Plaid Cymru leader, Nelly Adam Activist Poet Rapper, Kebbah Manneh Chair UNISON Black Members, Pennally Refugees, Gerraint Davies Swansea MP, Tia Roach Y Pantherod, Cardiff Black Lives Matter And Others.
The march will assemble at 12 Midday ,City Hall ,Cardiff Sunday March 20th. Speeches will be held at City Hall Around 1pm and then people will march to the Senedd and hold a Rally at 2.30.
