Anti-racism protesters turned out in their thousands across Europe this weekend, ahead of the UN’s Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day on March 21.
In an enormous show of unity people turned out at events from London to Athens — as well as Cardiff, Glasgow, Munich, Paris, Vienna, and many more towns and cities — to march against what campaign group Stand Up to Racism described as a “massive rise” in racist attitudes across Britain and Europe.
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Speakers at events across the continent including anti-racism campaigners, politicians, faith and community leaders, and activists — and it all made for some seriously awe-inspiring moments. Here are some of our favourites.
1. The sheer size of the crowds
#MarchAgainstRacism stretching up and down Regent Street - fantastic show of unity in the snow! pic.twitter.com/XjOpkXKUuz
— Stand Up To Racism (@AntiRacismDay) March 17, 2018
2. Journalist Gary Younge's speech, in London
Gary Younge, editor-at-large for the Guardian, told the crowd gathered in London: “Racism is not just about bad people. It’s about a bad system. It will not go away by itself and we have to fight it.”
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3. This sign
4. These umbrellas in Poland
5. Musician Ray BLK smashing it in London
The brilliant @RayBLK_ at #MarchAgainstRacism today 🌟 @AntiRacismDaypic.twitter.com/ExK9LGjP54
— Hazzus 🌟 (@No1LilyAllenFan) March 17, 2018
6. The support for refugees
‘Say it loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here.’
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7. Standing up despite the weather
The crowds refused to be put off in the face of snow, rain, freezing temperatures, and Arctic conditions in many of the cities and towns across Europe.
We may have cold hands but we have warm hearts#MarchAgainstRacism#MiniBeastpic.twitter.com/yZ7bLX9cmz
— Mary #FBPE #WATON (@running4rights) March 17, 2018
8. David Lammy’s speech
“We are standing up for the Britain that we love and that we believe in," the MP for Tottenham told the thousands gathered in London. "We are sending a message to the arch chief of this tide of prejudice that is sweeping our world — Donald Trump.”
9. Its history
The march was held in honour of the UN's European Action Week Against Racism, which celebrates diversity across the continent. The week was originally established to mark the murder of 69 protesters in South Africa, which became known as the Sharpeville Massacre. Up to 300 police officers began shooting into a crowd of over 5,000 people during a peaceful protest against apartheid.
The day is still recognised today, to highlight the modern discrimination that so many people still face across the world.
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10. Also this sign
11. This photo of students marching in London
12. Stand Up to Racism’s quote
Stand Up to Racism, which was behind the British marches, had to say this about the importance of the event: “If we are to defeat the rise of racism, we need a united movement of everyone who opposes it…[to] show that we will not be silent.”
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