East Lothian 'not immune' to racism as demonstrations held

In North Berwick on Sunday, more than 60 people joined a peaceful protest, ensuring they were two metres apart in line with social distancing.

And in Musselburgh, the town’s archer sculpture was dressed to support the cause while Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs were erected at Memorial Park, Haddington, though later vandalised.

The demonstrations in East Lothian and throughout the world follow the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, after a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Seventeen-year-olds Abbie Greenwood and Maya Chukwuma organised a well-attended BLM gathering close to North Berwick’s East Beach.

Abbie said: “We just wanted to show our support even for a small town, and to spread awareness to the local community.”

Grandmother Alexandra Graham, from North Berwick, said: “I was delighted to join the protest and I want to laud the young people who put it together.

"Like many others, I couldn’t get through to the protest in Edinburgh because of the lockdown, but making a stand matters to me very much.

"My young granddaughter will face racism and discrimination in the future so I don’t just want to be in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, I’m also trying to learn how best to support my granddaughter as she grows.”

Meanwhile, in Haddington, BLM signs were placed outside the town’s Memorial Park.

Phoebe Hayman, who lives in the town, was joined by friends in putting up the signs, which had messages including: “It is not enough to be non-racist be anti-racist” and “Black Lives Matter”.

The 20-year-old, studying politics and French at the University of Glasgow, said: “We feel really passionate that this is an issue that affects everyone and all communities.

“We wanted to go to the protest in Edinburgh but, due to Covid, a lot of people have key workers living with them or vulnerable people and it was not worth the risk.

“We decided to do something that people will see and maybe make them think.”

However, the posters, which were put up at the park, at the junction of Court Street, Station Road, Hope Park and Knox Place, did not win the approval of everyone.

Phoebe added: “When we put them up, someone drove past and booed, which is horrific.”

Similarly, white spray paint was used to cover two of the posters, with the words “wight (sic) does to (sic)” written over “Black Lives Matter’.

Phoebe and friends have also received a number of messages from people showing their appreciation for the efforts. The signs have been repainted.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, who represents the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, said: “It was the issue of racism and its corrosive impact on society which first got me interested and involved in politics as a young person growing up in Scotland.

“It remains a blight on our society and the Black Lives Matter campaign rightly highlights that.

“Sadly, racism certainly exists in East Lothian and as a councillor I’ve supported businesses, families and young people who have experienced racist incidents.

“There is still a long way to go to tackle this endemic problem which we all have a responsibility to help confront and address.”

For centuries racism has been a systemic problem in Scotland and the rest of the UK, acknowledged Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian.

He said: “This ingrained prejudice still blights the lives of non-white people across our country today.

“It can be seen in all aspects of life, from education and employment opportunities, to our legal and political systems.

“The latest example of this is the growing body of evidence pointing to the fact that the socio-economic factors at play in the lives of many black and minority ethnic people make them more at risk from dying of coronavirus.

“While East Lothian is generally a welcoming and inclusive area, we are not immune from the effects of this institutional racism and discrimination and there have certainly been racist incidents here over the years.

“Every community can always do more to combat and campaign against all forms of racism, including anti-semitism and Islamophobia, which is why I support peaceful and responsible protests which observe public health rules by Black Lives Matter campaigners.

“I was very sorry to hear that BLM signs in Haddington had been vandalised – a sign that we still have a long way to go on this issue.”

County MP Kenny MacAskill said that what was unfolding in America was “tragic and frightening” but an organised challenge to the racism shown there had been a long time coming.

"Throughout the sweep of history we see that certain moments acted as flash points,” he said.

"The murder of George Floyd seems to have been one such flash point in the US.

“At the same time, the global spread of the Black Lives Matter movement has shown that no country is immune to racism.

“Scotland is no different and laws require enforced and attitudes need challenged.

“The vandalism of peaceful protesters’ signs in Haddington was shameful but doesn’t reflect the views of the overwhelming majority of East Lothian citizens.

“As I understand it, all the protesting in the county was done peacefully, and with proper social distancing.

"There’s much more to be done and efforts need to be renewed as challenges will grow post lockdown, but I’m sure folk in East Lothian will continue to speak out against injustice and racism wherever it happens and I will be with them, helping to ensure that steps are taken to address racism and inequality wherever it is found.”

Councillor Willie Innes, East Lothian Council leader, said: “Black Lives Matter is a global movement highlighting the discrimination, inequalities and violence experienced by black communities in many western societies.

“Recent events in the USA have resulted in individuals and groups collectively lending their support to building more inclusive communities and tackling racial discrimination in all of its forms.

“I believe East Lothian to be a welcoming county but each of us need to reflect on how best we can challenge racial discrimination within our own communities and work places.”

Foysol Choudhury, chair of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), said they as an organisation condemned all forms of discrimination and inequality in all aspects of life.

“The Black Lives Matter movement is another form of protest against the injustice and inequalities they as a group face and have been facing for decades,” he said.

“Equality is about ensuring that each person has an equal opportunity in society. For example, a person’s background, ethnicity, disability, skin colour, culture and religion should not determine or undermine these basic human rights. We work to eliminate all forms of discrimination and inequalities and promote human rights.”

When asked if there was a racism problem in East Lothian, Mr Choudhury said: “Yes we know there is a problem with racism because we deal with cases all the time so we know it’s still rife in our communities.”

An example he gave involved a black man who was racially discriminated at work through how he was treated and dealt with by white members of staff.

Staff are said to have made comments about his accent, racial jokes about his culture and where he’s from.

Mr Choudhury added: “We also have many cases of BAME residents who are racially abused by their neighbours and some have faced graffiti on their doors and car as well as verbal abuse on a daily basis. These are just a few of the issues we see on a regular basis.

“ELREC as an organisation and board members, as well as our president Sir Geoff Palmer, are very active in Edinburgh and Lothians to do all we can to help our communities and society to fight racism at all levels.”

Conservative Councillor Craig Hoy, who represents the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, said: "Racism is abhorrent and should be called out and stamped out wherever it occurs. 

"We all have a duty to confront racism and I support those who are campaigning here in East Lothian and across Scotland."