A vigil is to take place at Newry’s Daisy Hill Hospital in solidarity with healthcare workers there who “no longer feel safe” as a result of racist attacks.
The event on Sunday is in response to the targeting of some healthcare staff in recent weeks, amid wider disorder related to anti-immigration sentiment in the north.
Trade union Unison is organising the gathering at Daisy Hill at 2pm, with the support of groups including United Against Racism and the Muslim Association of Newry among others, while Co Down singer-songwriter and activist Tommy Sands will perform.
Daisy Hill theatre nurse Deirdre Murphy, who is one of the organisers, said: “We have many international healthcare workers at Daisy Hill who no longer feel safe or welcome here.
“Some have been the victims of racist attacks over the last weeks. We are calling on the people of Newry and the wider area to show solidarity with them and to demonstrate that racism has no place in our community or on our streets. We are asking all trade unions and community groups to join us to stand up to racism.”
The event follows anti-racism rallies in Belfast and Derry earlier this month, which were sparked by attacks on businesses and homes in parts of the north owned by members of minority communities.
An anti-racism rally is also taking place in Coleraine on Saturday at 2pm outside Coleraine Town Hall.
