As part of the Scotland-wide Show Racism the Red Card fortnight, Central Scotland Racial
Equality Council worked in partnership with the Bairns Trust, Falkirk Football Club and Falkirk Council’s Education
Department to host a Red Card Day at Falkirk Football Club’s stadium on Wednesday 24 October 2007.
The event
involved pupils from local schools viewing a presentation from Show Racism the Red Card and being involved in Educations sessions,
as well as having the opportunity to ask questions of a specially-selected panel including Mukami McCrum and Dr Satwant Multani,
Chief Executive and Chair of Central Scotland Racial Equality Council, Steven Jackson from the Bairns Trust , Falkirk Football
Club’s Chief Executive George Craig, Tommy Breslin of Show Racism the Red Card and Elaine Watts of Falkirk Council’s
Education Department.
Highlight of the day was a guest appearance from Falkirk FC star player, Trinidad & Tobago
International Russell Latapy (pictured above alongside CSREC Cheif Executive Mukami McCrum and Chair Dr Satwant Multani) who
signed autographs for school children and spoke of his experiences of racism.
The event was well-received by all who
attended and attracted both local and national press and media coverage.
As a follow-up to the event, Central Scotland
Racial Equality Council will be working in partnership with Show Racism the Red Card, Falkirk Council and Falkirk FC to carry
out range of initiatives aimed at challenging racism and attitudes amongst primary school children in the Falkirk area.
Speaking
at the conclusion of the event, Central Scotland Racial Equality Council Chief Executive Mukami McCrum stated:
“The
event was aimed at brining school pupils and adults together to discuss racism in a non-threatening manner involving a subject
they could relate to. It was a huge success and everyone who attended the day had a good time, whilst developing a deeper
appreciation of the effects of racism”
Talking about the new initiatives, McCrum added:
“The initiatives
are a unique and exciting development, aimed at getting our message out to a new audience, and I think we will create a model
that can be adopted in other areas”
Falkirk United Against Racism
Central Scotland Racial Equality
Council teamed up with the Bairns Trust and Falkirk FC on Saturday 22 October to show racism the red card at Falkirk FC’s
home game with Kilmarnock.
As part of Show Racism the Red Card’s Fortnight of Action, all players warmed up in
Show Racism the Red Card tops, and the advertising hoardings round the ground featured Show Racism the Red Card and Central
Scotland Racial Equality Council adverts. A “Red Card” display occurred before kick-off with 2,000 supporters
displaying red cards along with the teams and Bairns Mascot Fergus the Fox.
As part of its Schools Project, Central
Scotland Racial Equality Council will work with Falkirk Council’s Education Department and Show Racism the Red Card
to promote understanding to school children in Falkirk, this being an innovation for Show Racism the Red Card.
Central
Scotland Racial Equality Council’s Chief Executive Mukami McCrum stated: “It was truly uplifting to see so many
people of all backgrounds supporting our cause and it’s a useful reminder of how far we have come”
Speaking
about the new initiative, McCrum added: “It’s a truly ground-breaking and exciting initiative and I hope this
will be something other organisations and local authorities can adopt as best practice in future”
Bairns Trust
spokesman Brian Guthrie added: “I am delighted that so many people got behind the action this year and we are looking
forward to taking the event and the issue into the community”
