KLTV Newsdesk –
Town Halls across Kirklees will be lit up over the weekend in a show of solidarity with the global anti-racism movement.
Kirklees Council has said that Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton and Batley will see their respective halls lit up in purple this Saturday and Sunday evening to mark two significant dates.
Saturday 20 March is UN Anti-Racism Day and Sunday 21 March is the United Nations Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Purple lighting was used to a similar effect last June when support was shown for those who peacefully took to the streets across the world in bids for equality following the tragic death of George Floyd.
‘Racism has no place in Kirklees’
Speaking on the support, Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “Racism has no place in Kirklees or in any modern-day society and that’s why we are supporting this weekend’s anti-racism message.
“Eradicating racism and wider inequalities from society is not something we can do alone, we must work together to achieve these aims.
“Nevertheless, we want to do what we can to shine a light on the weekend’s important anti-racism message.
Cllr Pandor noted that the death of George Floyd last year reinvigorated societies around the world to stand up and address social injustices.
He added: “Here in Kirklees we were no different, we wanted change.
“When we lit up our buildings last June I said that we must follow this up with long term action, and I’m proud to say we are doing just that.
“Our new council plan is focused around building a fairer and more equal Kirklees by working with residents and partners to address inequalities.
“We want Kirklees to be a place where a person’s skin colour, religion, culture or background doesn’t create barriers to them living a healthy life that is rich with opportunity.
“I encourage everyone to please join me in virtually supporting this weekend’s messages of anti-racism. Our biggest strength in Kirklees is our diversity and we should be extremely proud of this.”