Meath first county council to condemn racism

Meath County Council yesterday became the first county council in the country to pass a resolution condemning racism in all its forms and pledge to promote diversity and inclusion in the community.

The motion was proposed by Fine Gael Cllr Yemi Adenuga who last year became Meath's first black public representative  when she was elected to the council on a Fine Gael ticket.

Fine Gael councillors with Cllr Yemi Adenuga, who proposed the motion.

Stressing the importance of emigrants sharing their lived experiences of racism and the need for indigenous Irish, not just to hear those stories, but to actively play the role of ally who would help reduce incidents of racism in their community, she said she had been called offensive names while canvassing in last year's local elections.

She said that sadly, because many indigenous Irish people had never seen racism happen first hand, they did not realise the level of emotional, mental and sometimes physical pain migrants had to endure as a result of racism. Asking for support to help educate people about racism, Cllr Adenuga said this could be done through information sharing bu also through hearing the real lived experinces of emigrants here in the community. Gwee motion was supported unanimously by the council.