Derry and Donegal politicians publicly endorse North West Anti-Racism Charter

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, and Cllr Terry Crossan, Leas Cathaoirleach Inishowen MD, came together to publicly endorse the North West Anti-Racism Charter at an event that took place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at Bridgend.

The Bloody Sunday Trust, North West Migrants Forum and the Irish Network Against Racism are delighted with the success of the recently launched North West Anti-Racism Charter. 

The charter, which was developed at a meeting held in Derry as part of the 2025 commemoration of Bloody Sunday, pledges supporters to: “…oppose all harm by words and actions on the basis of difference of race and colour…live together, love together, struggle together, thrive together…hold ourselves and others to account for racist words and actions…commit to policies and practices that oppose division by race and colour…promote these attitudes throughout our region in the north west of Ireland…say no to racism.” 

Copies of the charter, for display in workspaces, social spaces and anywhere where people gather and oppose racism, has recently been made available in the city by the Bloody Sunday Trust and North West Migrants Forum, and so far have been delivered to or requested by more than a dozen venues across the north west. Copies remain available from both groups. 

Bloody Sunday Trust Director Maeve McLaughlin said: “With the rise of right-wing groups across this island it is getting more and more important that we stand against them, united and publicly, to remind them that the vast majority of people in Ireland reject their racist message and stand with the new communities that we welcome to our country.

“This charter gives everyone an easy way to show where they stand on this serious issue, and we urge community groups, businesses and statutory agencies across this region to get a copy and put it on display.

“We also believe this initiative should go beyond the north west and become an all Ireland charter against racism.”

Conor Sharkey of North West Migrants Forum said: “We are seeing more and more how racism is becoming ‘the norm’, expressed with worrying abandon on our streets and expressed freely online where it is amplified by social media algorithms that care little for truth, empathy or compassion.

Colr. Terry Crossan , Leas Cathaoirleach Inishowen with Derry Mayor Colr. Lilian Seenoi-Barr at the launch of the North-West Anti-Racism Charter held at Bridgend, on Friday. Included on left are Niall Cusack, proprietor The Gap Coffee Shop, Maeve McLaughlin, director, Bloody Sunday Trust, and on right Conor Sharkey, NW Migrants Forum. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

“Now more than ever we need people to stand together and say no – no to racism, no to Islamophobia and no to xenophobia. 

“By adopting this Charter you are sending out that message – that hate speech and divisive actions are not welcome and will not be tolerated in your school, office, home, business, community hall, place of worship or wherever you choose to display it.”