Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Unity in our Community.

Statement launched by Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Stand up to Racism

We, the undersigned, deplore the demonstrations, riots and violence of far right groups against mosques, refugees and minority communities, in recent days. These actions, called by known fascists, like Tommy Robinson and others, are trying to capitalise on the tragic events in Southport. We welcome the fact that in many areas people have come together to say: Stand together against the far-right,

No to racism and fascism,

Don’t let the racists divide us.

In particular, we condemn a recent attack at our local hotel for asylum seekers, where a ball-bearing was fired from a moving car, narrowly missing a refugee. The residents report increased levels of racist abuse in recent days. We have a proud record of welcoming refugees in Chesterfield. Asylum seekers are amongst the most brutalised and at-risk people in the world.

Also, we stand with the Muslim Community and other minorities in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire who are increasingly fearful in this climate of intimidation.

We pledge to stand together against attempts by some politicians and media outlets to spread hatred and division.

We believe anti-racists are in the majority.

As the people of Southport have shown, we can build unity against the current toxic political situation.

 

Initial signatories include:

Jeannie Robinson: Secretary Stand up to Racism, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire

Councillor Donna Hales: Chair Stand up to Racism, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire

Councillor Tricia Gilby: Leader Chesterfield Borough Council

Councillor Ed Fordham: Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Derbyshire County Council

Councillor Frank Adlington Stringer: Derbyshire Green Party

Councillor Dean Collins

Councillor Anne-Frances Hayes

Councillor Lud Ramsey and ACCA African & Caribbean Community Association Chesterfield

Councillor Gordon McLaren

Councillor Paul Niblock

Councillor Shirley Niblock

Diane Fletcher: Chair Derbyshire Dales Constituency Labour Party

Mohamed Razaq: Chesterfield Muslim Association

Farooq Saddique: Muslim Welfare Association Chesterfield

James Dickinson: Secretary to Christians Together for Chesterfield

Paul King: Christians Together for Chesterfield

Agnes Tranter: Chair Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Refugee Support Group

Barbara Sansome Treasurer Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Refugee Support Group

Ollie Pardo Trustee Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Refugee Support Group:

David Richardson Trustee Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Refugee Support Group

Becky Turner: Trustee Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Refugee Support Group

Habib Kah: Secretary Chesterfield Sene-Gambia Association

Sandra Pink: Advice and Project Manager LINKS CVS

Colin Hampton: Co-ordinator Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centres

James Eaden: President Chesterfield TUC

Rebecca Bryson: Vice President Chesterfield TUC Chair UNISON South Derbyshire Healthcare Branch

Allister MacTaggart: Secretary Chesterfield TUC

Sarah Free: Chair Chesterfield College UCU

Harry Bracken: Equalities Officer Chesterfield College UCU

Liam Sherrriffs: Secretary Chesterfield College UCU

Peter Meldrum: Chesterfield College UCU

Lucy Vaughan: Chesterfield College UCU

Matt Tacey: Vice Chair Derbyshire Royal College of Nurses

Sarah Wooley: General Secretary Bakers and Allied Food Workers Union

Paul Hardy Branch Secretary UNISON Health ( South Derbyshire)

Lisa Tunnell: Assistant District Secretary N. Derbyshire NEU

Lesley Whetton: Derbyshire UNISON

David Ratchford: Derbyshire UNISON

Jane Hindle: Derbyshire UNISON

Jayne Barry Derbyshire UNISON

Martin Porter Derbyshire UNISON

Hilary Cave Chesterfield CND