Aontú’s Newry & Armagh Rep, Liam Reichenberg, and Newry rep Sharon Loughran, address the recent racist incident at a local play park in Newry
They stated:
“We in Aontu which to express our dismay and totally reject the racist behaviour of those involved in the recent incident at a local playpark. In this case those on the receiving end were 5 families of medical doctors who were verbally abused and felt threatened enough to call the police. It would be wrong no matter what the occupation of the victims, but it is particularly galling when we consider how badly needed and indeed essential those same doctors are to the Newry and Mourne area. Let’s hope they are not put off staying here but will continue to carry out their vocation of caring for and healing the sick. Daisy Hill Hospital, and indeed the NHS, would not survive without many of their workers coming from abroad.”
The statement continued, “We spoke out about the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Anu Okusanya last September when she too was subject to racist taunts and fear. No-one wants to see that again.
No-one should be abused because of the colour of their skin or the place of their birth. Racism is wrong. We well know the injustice of sectarianism and this is no different. That children seem to have been subjected to this is especially wrong.
As Pope Francis reminded us all in his last ever address only yesterday, referring to how migrants should be treated, “We are all children of God.”
Ends
CLANRYE NEWS 