Monday 12 July 2021
Anti-racists call demonstration at Rashford mural and say Gary Neville correct in calling out government racism and racist abuse towards, Rashford, Saka and Sancho
In response to racist vandalism of Marcus Rashford mural Stand up to Racism has called a demonstration at the mural on Tuesday 13 July at 6pm in Withington (details here).
Following racist abuse towards Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, anti-racists wholeheartedly agree with Gary Neville’s statements to Sky News this morning, calling out the government’s role in encouraging racism.
In response to Neville’s intervention, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor Sabby Dhalu said:
“Gary Neville is spot on in calling out the government’s role in this despicable racism. Boris Johnson failed to condemn the booing of England footballers taking the knee and MPs such as Home Secretary Priti Patel, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith who attacked England for taking the knee. This gave succour to far right racists and fascists. Therefore the torrent of racist abuse since the final is not surprising. Racism starts from the top.”
Earlier today the former Manchester United Star told Sky News:
“The taking of the knee was ridiculed by our top ranking government officials. So when we get racist abuse after a football match at the end of a tournament, I expect it. Because it exists and it is actually promoted by the Prime Minister. I knew as soon as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Sako missed last night, I knew we would be waking up to stories of racist abuse.”
In addition to racism towards Rashford, Saka and Sancho, video footage is circulating on social media showing England fans violently attacking, African, Caribbean and Asian England fans and Italy supporters. This follows violence towards Denmark fans on Wednesday.
Sabby Dhalu further added:
“We condemn the racist abuse Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho have received since the end of the Euro 2020 Final. This includes the vandalisation of the Rashford mural in Manchester. We also condemn racist violence and abuse by racist England fans towards African, Caribbean and Asian England fans, Italy and Denmark supporters.
“This racism and xenophobia precisely illustrates why England footballers took the the knee at every match during Euro 2020.
“Missing penalties is hardly unique to three black footballers. By reaching the final of a major tournament this England team is the most successful since 1966. What underpinned this success is the diverse and multicultural team. We congratulate the team and its commitment to fighting racism.”
Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism co convenor, said:
“The England players along with manager Gareth Southgate have made a concerted, conscious and consistent attempt to, in the face of hostility from this racist government, be on the right side of history and insist on continuing to #TakeTheKnee. This has in turn led to other teams joining them on the pitch, on a global stage, to send a message in complete contradiction to racist division this government evokes. It has been extremely uplifting for all who want to see a world without racism and inequality, and rightly many anti racists are immensely proud of the players.
“Because institutional racism very much does exist, it is outrageous that these young men have faced racist abuse, but as Neville says, it is not a suprise. The government have fuelled an environment where racists feel emnoldened to inflict abuse and attacks in a jingoistic fervour. They condemned #TakeTheKnee and the #BlackLivesMatter movement, yet failed to condemn racists and booing of the team.
“We need to keep at building a strong and vocal anti racist current on the terraces, in our workplaces and in our communities. Well done to the players who have stood up to lend their influence to this urgent task, and solidarity with them as they face vile and infuriating racism that does not reflect the majority mood.”
“We encourage all teams to take the knee in domestic and international football competitions next season.”
Details of Rashford mural event:
https://fb.me/e/2i7gr6C6S
For more information, interviews and further quotes:
info@standuptoracism.org.uk
