A bold stance against sectarianism and anti-Irish racism has been taken by West Dunbartonshire Council after reports of anti-catholic graffiti across the region.
During last week’s council meeting, Councillor Karen Conaghan told members she had been contacted by “distressed” constituents over slogans being painted locally.
And Councillor Jim Bollan advised that he had himself witnessed such graffiti as members united in their condemnation of such acts.
Members unanimously agreed to write to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, justice secretary Keith Brown and equalities minister Christina McKelvie among others asking the issues to be addressed urgently at a national level.
Dumbarton member Karen Conaghan told how she was moved to raise the issue in order to represent everyone in her community and that she had been asked by several people over a number of years to act.
She said: “That’s just despicable in this day and age. I believe injustice needs to be tackled and this sort of bigotry and racism called out and addressed.
“I know that there has been legislation brought forward. It’s not enough unless the legislation is enforced, not just enacted.”
One of the requests in the motion is for members to be presented with a report at a later date on efforts being made in schools on the issue.
Councillor Conaghan added: “Within our schools, our young people aren’t taught hatred. This sort of behaviour comes from somewhere.
“There are attitudes with our young people which are just unhealthy and wrong.”
Jim Bollan told how there had been a surge in right-wing views across the globe and said: “In Scotland, recently there has been an upsurge in these views.
“We have seen the graffiti, even locally.
“We need to make sure we make our young people aware of the history and the real meaning of anti-Irish racism in Scotland.
“ I hope the motion will set the council’s position quite clearly on anti-sectarianism and anti-Irish racism as a local authority to make sure that everybody that we represent as elected members in any policy and thinking we apply as we go forward.”
Conservative councillor Sally Page, who has been on the end of some “fruity” language herself, says the issue extends to other groups within the community.
She explained: “I have had correspondence from people of Polish, Bulgarian and Pakistani origin and they have experienced racism living in West Dunbartonshire so it is our duty as elected members to set an example of how to treat everyone.”
The motion, which was unanimously agreed, outlines the council’s condemnation of “all such hateful attacks whether verbal or physical, whether against people or property”.
As well as an update on education, it asks for members to be furnished with more detail on what policies and procedures we have for our staff to protect them and our citizens from sectarian behaviour.
A report around the issues surrounding all marches is also requested, with particular regard to
their routing.
