COUNCILLORS from across Argyll and Bute will be asked to take a stand against racism, xenophobia, hate crime and all forms of intolerance at a full council meeting this week.

Oban, Lorn and the Isles councillors Kieron Green and Julie McKenzie will present a motion asking councillors to condemn racism, xenophobia, hate crime and all forms of intolerance, to support victims of such crimes, and to urge members of the public to report such incidents.

It also asks the council to promote initiatives to tackle hate crime and prejudice in schools and communities and online.

The motion has been worked on with Black Lives Matter Oban and 846Solidarity, two causes which promote learning and acting against racism.

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Councillor Green said: “In recent times the discrimination that people have suffered because of race, both historically and in the present, has been highlighted.

“How communities interact with the police, health and Covid-19 inequalities, and the racism and xenophobia experienced by individuals in their day-to-day lives have become all too apparent at home and abroad.

“By working with Black Lives Matter Oban to bring forward a motion to the council, I am seeking for Argyll and Bute to be recognised as being a welcoming area for all and committed to tackling all forms of intolerance.”

Councillr McKenzie added: “We can and must do better to acknowledge and tackle the systemic injustices within society and it is important to recognise that our communities are not immune to issues of racism, hate and intolerance.

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“I have welcomed the opportunity to work alongside Black Lives Matter Oban and my colleague Councillor Green to bring this motion to full council.

“Hopefully we will raise awareness and play our part in ensuring that the council takes a positive step forwards, building on good work already done, to ensure a better Argyll and Bute for everyone.”

Jakki Spicer, co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Oban and 846Solidarity, said: “We’re grateful to Councillors Green and McKenzie for putting forth this motion, and know that it will put into words the commitment that Argyll and Bute has to being a welcoming area and to supporting all of its residents.

“It is important to recognise that, unfortunately, racism and xenophobia do exist in our beautiful corner of the world, and to do something positive about it.”

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