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Young people act to curb Hate Crime
 A series of events will be held across Wigan Borough to mark Hate Crime
Awareness Week (Feb 19th – Feb 26th) and young people are using the
celebration to make a stand against all forms of discrimination.
Over 30 young people will be starring in drama performances that tackle
Hate Crime issues at Wigan Town Hall, Leigh Miners Welfare Institute,
Standish High School, the Wigan Investment Centre and Bedford High
School.
Mesnes Park Youth in Action will perform ‘Witness This’, a drama showing
the negative impact bullying can have on young people, while ByoU (the
Wigan Borough group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender young
people) will perform ‘Romeo and Julian, Rosemary and Juliet’, which
looks at issues common to LGBT young people.
Workshops will be held after the school performances so young people can
discuss their own experiences of Hate Crime and to make sure pupils are
fully aware of the negative impact discrimination can have. Wigan Pier
Theatre Company is supporting both of the youth groups with their drama
performances.
A Wigan Borough group for black minority ethnic young people will launch
an anti-racist poster campaign during the week too. Rafiki members
designed the posters which will be put up at youth and community venues
across the borough. Racism became a hot topic of conversation during the
latest series of celebrity Big Brother and Rafiki are eager to drive
home the message that there is no place for it in modern day society.
Rafiki member Amel Mesbahi said: “The posters we have created give
examples of racist incidents. Sometimes people can be racist without
realising it and we hope the posters will open people’s eyes. If you are
subject to racism you should report it so it can be dealt with.”
Wigan Council Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) and the Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust Arts and Festivals team are working together
to support the young people’s actions during Hate Crime Awareness Week.
CYPS Youth Development Manager Sheila Martland said: “Young people often
have a strong sense of justice and we’re delighted so many young people
are using Hate Crime Awareness Week to make a stand against
discrimination.
“Young people are more inclined to listen to what people their own age
have to say. The youths performing the dramas are showing a lot of
courage to stand up and say what they think. We hope everyone will take
the key messages onboard.”
-ends-
Notes to Editors
Photo attached
• shows members of Mesnes Park Youth In Action performing ‘Witness
This’.
• For further information please telephone Kennedy Stewart, Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust’s Young People’s Press Officer, on (01942)
486927.
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