ANTI-racism protesters are expected to rally and march through Weymouth on Bank Holiday Monday as community groups from across Dorset stage a public show of opposition to racism and the far right.
Stand Up to Racism Dorset has called the “Dorset United Against Racism” unity celebration for midday on Monday, August 31, beginning at the Jubilee Clock on Weymouth Esplanade.
The event has been backed by community organisations, faith groups, trade unions and young people.
Organisers say it will feature music, speeches and a march, with participants gathering to declare that Dorset is an anti-racist county.
It follows a demonstration in London in March, which organisers say was attended by hundreds of people from Dorset as part of the 500,000-strong Together Alliance protest against the far right.
Lynne Hubbard, joint chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset, said racism sought to blame migrants, refugees and other vulnerable people for society’s problems.
She said: “Racism spreads hatred and division. It attempts to heap the blame for society’s ills onto migrants, refugees and other vulnerable people.
“When we need unity to deal with the housing crisis, rotten wages and deprivation, racism weakens and divides us.”
Ms Hubbard said workers who had come to the UK from abroad played an important role in public services and care provision in Dorset.
She added: “Our NHS could not function without the many workers from abroad who come to us as doctors and nurses, who keep hospitals like DCH and Weymouth Community Hospital clean and secure, and who staff many of our care homes.
“We are lucky to have them as fellow citizens. But racist organisations want to remove them – a policy that is hateful and damages everyone in our communities.”
Ms Hubbard added: “Racism is never welcome. On Bank Holiday Monday in Weymouth we will celebrate love, hope and unity with music and more. All are welcome to attend.”
The event begins at 12pm at the Jubilee Clock on Weymouth Esplanade.
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