Wellington unites to reject racism and hate after EDL cancels plans to march
An anti-racism fair was held in Wellington, with dozens of people getting involved.
Councillor Pat McCarthy, leader of Telford & Wrekin’s Green Party, said it had been great to see the people of the town reject racism.
The fair, which was held in Wellington Square, had been organised in protest at a planned visit by the English Defence League, which was set to march through the town on Saturday.
The march was postponed by the far-right group in light of the terrorist killings on South Island in New Zealand.
The fair was also held to coincide with the UN’s Anti-Racism Day.
Councillor McCarthy said: “On Saturday the people of Wellington held their heads high by rejecting racism and then stood in silence reflecting on the 49 lives lost as a consequence of racial hatred in New Zealand.
“Speaker after speaker talked about the need for solidarity against those who are intolerant of difference. Eve Clevenger brought tears to eyes when she spoke about personal loss of relatives during the Holocaust.
“All speakers brought home the need for vigilance and to challenge hateful views that we are confronted with by groups like the English Defence League, who thankfully decided not to come.”
The EDL said it “abhored” what had happened in New Zealand, adding that it would postpone the planned march to give the Muslim community in Wellington time to reflect.
Elsewhere, police in Wellington were left with hundreds of pre-packed lunches due to the march being suspended.
The lunches were instead given out to sheltered schemes across Telford & Wrekin.
