News in 2006
04th July 2006
Bringing together all faiths and colours
Solidarity Day celebrates the diversity of Central Scotland
As the tragic events of July 7 unfolded in the centre of London last year, the 400 miles that separated central Scotland from the city seemed to be reduced to a single step.
The overwhelming number of concerned people from the area who had friends or family working, visiting or living in the capital suddenly brought home the very real way in which our day-to-day lives can be affected by racial hatred and its many manifestations.
One year on, a special event taking place in Falkirk this weekend will remember those lost in the London bombings and seek to celebrate the diverse cultures that exist within our local area.
Organised by the Central Scotland Racial Equality Council, Solidarity Day 2006 will bring together people from all over the district, and promote unity among locals of all faiths and colours.
As chief executive of the CSREC Mukami McCrum explained, the event summarises much of what the organisation was set up for over 20 years ago.
She said: "Solidarity Day is about putting the spotlight back on the positive aspects of living in a multi-racial, multi-cultural modern Central Scotland.
"There have always been new settlers to every part of the UK which has contributed to, not taken away from, collective cultures.
"After the events of 7/7, the minority peoples in Central Scotland were in a state of anxiety because they feared a backlash.
"There was a need for a show of solidarity, which is how the idea for the event originally came into being."
Solidarity Day will get under way at 3 p.m. this Sunday, with everyone from the area invited to gather at Falkirk Steeple before marching to Callendar Park.
On arrival at the park, live music from local bands will set the tone for an afternoon rally, which will also include talks from a number of prominent figures – both local and national.
Among them will be the former president of the Employment Tribunal, Doris Littlejohn, who chaired an independent investigation into race relations among Scotland's police forces.
She will be joined on the platform by MSP Dennis Canavan and Falkirk FC's Steven Jackson. While Solidarity Day 2006 will offer a very public representation of the work undertaken by the CSREC, it is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the organisation seeks to do within local communities.
From providing support to people who have been racially harassed to helping out groups who want to promote racial equality in their own areas, CSREC is constantly working alongside the communities it seeks to serve.
Whether it's organising computing classes or running multi-faith football tournaments, the group is relentless in its quest to change the area for the better – something they hope Solidarity Day can play a part in.
CSREC's Lisa Paton said: "In Central Scotland you have thousands of people who need to feel like they are part of the fabric of society.
"We really want to try and focus on the positive aspects of the diversity of life in Central Scotland during Solidarity Day."
And while the day will certainly provide an opportunity to bring people from all backgrounds together, a minutes silence for those who lost their lives in London last year will also act as a poignant reminder of why racism cannot be tolerated.
Mukami said: "We can't say in Central Scotland that these problems are far away.
"Given the number of racial harassment figures we record every year we know we are not living in a problem free
Source: Falkirk Today
