Councils take a stance against anti-Semitic graffiti
Shropshire Council has worked in partnership with Bridgnorth Town Council to act promptly in removing an incident of anti-Semitic graffiti in a public area in Bridgnorth.
The graffiti was found by Mark Michaels and his wife when on a walk around the town. Mark Michaels is the Jewish representative on the South Shropshire Inter Faith Forum, and as such works closely with Shropshire Council on remembrance events with schools in relation to the Holocaust and other genocides.
Mark Michaels reported the matter to Bridgnorth Town Council and to officers at Shropshire Council. It was immediately prioritised for removal, as it was racist graffiti.
Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health (Integrated Care System) and communities, said:-
“I was horrified to hear about this incident of racist and anti-Semitic graffiti, which no one should have to witness. We will always act as a council against racism, and we will not condone it, wherever it occurs, and in whatever form. My officers have my thanks and appreciation, as does Mark Michaels for reporting it to us and Bridgnorth Town Council for help with this.
“We know that it could have been written by anyone passing through the town, and that sadly it could occur anywhere in Shropshire. Coming as it does just before national Inter Faith Week, it is a reminder to us all to be vigilant, as Mark Michaels has been, and to work in partnership through our inter faith forums and with each other to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs.
“If anyone ever sees any such incidents of graffiti, could I please urge them to report it to Shropshire Council, so that we can continue to act together against racism and other forms of discrimination.”
Kirstie Hurst-Knight, a local Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts, and also Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-
“All the Bridgnorth area Shropshire Councillors are jointly appalled by this incident of anti-Semitic graffiti in our town. Whilst we know that it could have happened anywhere, it strengthens our resolve and our collaborative efforts to work particularly closely with children and young people in our area, and more widely across the county with other councillors; in order to help the children and young people of the county to understand more about what happened in the Holocaust and other genocides, and why the lessons to be learned and the lives that were lost must never be forgotten.”
Mark Michaels said:-
“It just shows that, where there is real commitment to combat racism and anti-Semitism, a council really can pull out the stops and make things happen at speed – thank you.”
Racist graffiti can be reported to Shropshire Council either by ringing Customer Services on 0345 678 9006 or via the ”Report graffiti” button on www.shropshire.gov.uk
National Inter Faith Week 2022 will take place from Sunday 13 November – Sunday 20 November 2022. Each year, Inter Faith Week begins on Remembrance Sunday, and runs until the following Sunday. Remembrance Sunday was chosen as a start day to encourage people to remember together the contributions of all faiths and none, and to consider how best to create a just, peaceful, and harmonious world.
It’s an opportunity to highlight that there are two inter faith forums currently established in Shropshire: the South Shropshire Interfaith Forum and the Shrewsbury Inter Faith Forum. Members of both forums support the work of the council in commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day and Srebrenica Day through cherry tree planting activities with local primary schools.
Further information
Inter Faith Week
Inter Faith Week 2022 will take place from Sunday 13 November – Sunday 20 November 2022. Each year Inter Faith Week begins on Remembrance Sunday, and runs until the following Sunday. It is hoped that the additional Sunday provides the opportunity for other weekend events to take place as well as those linked to Remembrance Sunday. Remembrance Sunday was chosen as a start day to encourage people to remember together the contributions of all faiths and none, and to consider how best to create a just, peaceful, and harmonious world.
Building good relationships and working partnerships between people of different faiths and beliefs is part of the year-round work of many people and organisations across the UK.
Having a special week provides a focal point, helping to open inter faith activity up to a wider audience, so that more and more people are made aware of the importance of this vital work and are able to participate in it.
Inter Faith Week also ends on Mitzvah Day, an annual day of faith-based social action which is led by people of the Jewish faith: https://mitzvahday.org.uk/
Mitzvah Day
Each year, in November, over 40,000 people around the world come together to give time, not money, to make a difference to the community. Mitzvah Day introduces people to social action, to their neighbours and to local charities, setting up projects, which address real needs. Jewish-led, it seeks to bring together people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds, to volunteer side-by-side, building longstanding, genuine relationships.
Mitzvah Day projects offer a range of art and crafts activities such as making dog toys for animal rescue centres; eco projects such as tree planting and litter picks; friendship projects such as visiting care homes; collection projects such as food collections for local food banks; clothing collections; stationery collections; appreciation projects such as writing letters to hospital workers, support staff, fire service workers etc; cooking projects to make food to be donated to night shelters and refuge centres; upcycling projects; and care projects, such as making and distributing essential supplies to rough sleepers.
