Whitstable stands against racism
by
Mary Sullivan and Gerry Atkinson
(All photographs by Gerry Atkinson: https://www.gerryatkinson.com)
Following the riots that took over the streets of our towns and cities last week, by rampaging far-right Islamophobes who have been encouraged by the dog-whistles of our politicians such as Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman, Whitstable people gathered together on Sunday to say no to racism.
Up to 200 people stood outside the Whitstable library, united by their opposition to the rioters and to stand with people of colour wherever they are from and with refugees.
The not-so-silent vigil opened with a song from local musician Nigel Hobbins, followed by a speech from a campaigner, Elane, who invited people to speak on an open mic.
The ambience was almost carnivalesque. People of all ages and ethnicities celebrated diversity, and everyone was welcome. Home-made banners promoting ‘unity in the community’ and saying that ‘racism harms us all’ were held up for all passers-by to see.
Among those who spoke was an Indian man who came with his family, an African man who sang a song and got everyone clapping, and a young Jewish woman who cried tears of gratitude at the sight of so many people standing against racism. An older woman remembered the Anti-Nazi League of the nineteen-seventies/eighties who opposed the rise of the far-right from the National Front and the British National Party, and compared them with today’s fascist organisations such as the English Defence League and others. A disabled man reminded us not to forget the links between current local violence and major national and international disturbances and crises, particularly the war in Gaza. He condemned the failure of major institutions, our political parties and the Trade Unions to address these issues.
A false equivalence has indeed been made by politicians and others between rioters and peaceful pro-Palestinian protestors whose marches are labelled as hate marches.
Speeches were interspersed with songs from Nigel, including his version of Graham Moore’s song, ‘Tom Paine’s Bones’, about the eighteenth-century philosopher known for his book, The Rights of Man. Later everyone joined the chorus when Nigel sang, ‘You are my sunshine.’
In addition to speeches, there was some enthusiastic chanting in which everyone participated – Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here, no hate, no fear, everyone is welcome here—Racism, we say no! Racism has got to go; hey hey, ho ho, racism has got to go!
While all this was happening, people in passing cars were hooting their support, and there was no counter-demonstration from those who would divide our town and society.
Mary Sullivan
Mary Sullivan is a retired social worker (Mental Health). She moved from Canterbury to Whitstable in 1991. On retirement, she completed a degree in History and Religious Studies at the University of Kent, followed by a Masters Degree in History. https://www.facebook.com/mary.sullivan.792
About Gerry Atkinson:
Training as a photojournalist, I started recording political protests in London in the 1990’s. I spent 18 months volunteering with CWERC, an NGO in the Philippines, recording the lives of indigenous women for an audio-visual ‘Weaving our own Dreams’. I moved on to New Zealand for 4 years working for newspapers. On returning to London I organised a collaborative project with people with mental health problems to produce ‘Through the Lens’ documentary photography exhibition.
My MA research in 2010 resulted in a book ‘Shades of Other Lives’, a series of windows at night, developed in reference to Labour Party comments that “We are all middle class now”. In 2011-2012, I spent 10 months in Greece, Cape Town and New Zealand working on documentary projects. Recent community projects are ‘Our Work of Art 2018-2019’. I have an NUJ Photojournalist Press Card and am currently discussing new ideas and collaborations.
I studied at Leicester University, the London College of Communication and the University for the Creative Arts.
I have extensive solo and group exhibition experience including the British Museums landmark exhibition “Rice and Life in the Philippines”. My work has been published in newspapers, books and magazines and is held in private collections.
Photo by Glen London
To see more of Gerry’s work, please go to: https://www.gerryatkinson.com/
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