More in Common (Batley & Spen) and GMB, Britain’s General Union, are joining forces today to raise awareness of hate crime and to support Show Racism The Red Card day, at an event they are co-hosting in Batley Library and Memorial Gardens.

More than 150 school children, along with GMB Regional Secretary Neil Derrick, local MPs and councillors, Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson, former Great Britain rugby league international Garreth Carvell and former Batley Bulldogs player Danny Maun are expected to attend.

Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism education charity, established in England in 1996 to harness the high-profile nature of footballers as anti-racist role models to educate against racism throughout society.

The event is designed to bring people together from across all communities and is the culmination of a week of events hosted by GMB to raise awareness of hate crime as part of the Hate Crime Awareness Week in the UK.

An anti-racism charter produced by Tell MAMA and the GMB union will be available for the public to sign up to.

Lou Foster-Wilson, GMB’s Equality and Inclusion Officer, said:

“The event is aimed at bringing our communities together and to promote the work of Show Racism The Red Card. We also want to provide support and guidance to those in our communities who are sadly having to deal with the issues of hate crime and racism every day.”

“We will continue to work with like-minded organisations to challenge discrimination and hatred wherever we find it.”

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For further comment contact Lou Foster-Wilson on: 07714-540074 or Caroline Jones on 07800 714247 or 0345 337 7777.  Event will run from 2pm-6pm.