Nazi graffiti ‘won’t stop anti-racism procession’
ORGANISERS of an anti-racism march in Cardiff vowed the event will go ahead and send “a message of celebrating diversity” after racist graffiti and posters appeared in a city suburb.
The Nazi swastika sign and other racist material appeared on walls in Grangetown yesterday, just a day before an anti-racism march is due to take place in the area.
Cardiff council said it is working with the police as part of the investigation to track down the culprits.
Police said the crime will not be tolerated and officers were yesterday carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area.
The Cardiff March Against Racism is due to take place in the city today to mark the UN’s Anti-racism Day. There are also events planned to take place in Glasgow and London.
The Cardiff march starts from Grange Gardens, where the graffiti appeared.
A spokesman for Stand Up to Racism Wales said: “We are shocked and appalled to hear that someone has spray-painted racist graffiti at Grange Garden, Cardiff – on the eve of our United Nations Anti-racism Day march, which will start there [today].
“Sadly, we are not surprised at this latest act of aggression towards migrants and Muslims in particular in our city.
“Just this week Cardiff was one of several cities where people have received letters advertising a ‘Punish A Muslim Day’ and in October 2017 a series of posters were found around the Cathays area depicting the beheading of Home Secretary Amber Rudd and denouncing her as a ‘traitor’.
“This is more than likely the work of isolated individuals or a small group who choose to associate themselves with the swastika – a symbol of the systematic murder of millions of Jews, Roma, LGBT and disabled people during one of the darkest periods of European history.
“Our experience is that the majority of ordinary people in Cardiff and south Wales are welcoming and accepting of diverse cultures.
“Cardiff is a diverse and multi-cultural city since its birth, built on over a hundred years of immigration. Our march is an expression of this culture and will go ahead in spite of this act of intimidation – racists will not divide us.”
Local residents spoke of their shock at waking up to the racist graffiti in their neighbourhood, with children seeing it on the school run.
Joe Redmond, from Stand Up to Racism, said: “This act, especially as it has taken place where the march will start, shows it is a clear act of intimidation. In many ways it makes this event even more important.”
Resident Greg Pycroft said: “It was sad to see. Grangetown is made up of a diverse community and it was a deliberately provocative attempt to damage it.”
A spokesman for Cardiff council said: “We are working with the South Wales Police on this matter and the offensive graffiti and flyposting will be removed as quickly as possible.”