People-powered campaigning group Act Now have delivered their open letter of solidarity with migrant workers signed by over 1200 people to Migrant Workers Union-NI (Monday 6th October).

Act Now launched the open letter in the wake of racist attacks on migrant workers by self-styled “vigilante” groups at Connswater last month.

Migrant Workers Union-NI, which is the NI Branch of the Migrant Workers' Union, provides direct and partnered support for migrant and migrantised workers.

Katy Allen, Community Engagement Lead at Act Now said: 

“No matter who you are or where you come from, we all deserve the right to go to work without the fear of intimidation and physical violence. But last month, we saw horrific violence targeted at workers in East Belfast for no other reason than the colour of their skin. Our community of people from all walks of life across Northern Ireland quickly took action. Within a couple of days, over 1200 members came together and signed the open letter, standing firmly against the rising hate and showing solidarity with our migrant neighbours and colleagues.”

Nina Briggs, Union Head at Migrant Workers Union-NI said:

“We at the Union, and our members, are deeply grateful for this show of solidarity. Our members have faced intimidation, threats, and silence from those in power, so to receive this support from ordinary people shows that, despite the threats, our community refuses to be divided by hate. It is proof that when institutions stall, the public can take the lead. What we need now is for that courage on the streets to be matched by courage in government.”

Below is the text of the open letter:

Recent weeks have seen increased instances of workers across Northern Ireland being violently targeted for no other reason than the colour of their skin.

The scenes at Connswater where migrant workers were targeted by racist groups styling themselves as 'vigilantes', and restaurant owner Michael Deane whipping up fear to line his own pockets. Both are sickening and must not be tolerated.

We, the undersigned, condemn these actions in the strongest terms.

We also place on record our support, solidarity and love to the migrant workers across Northern Ireland who contribute to this place in so many ways - including putting food on our table, and caring for us through our NHS when we are sick.

We stand against racism, and send a strong message to them - that most people here will always fight hate with love.

ENDS//

For more information please contact: Roan Ellis-O’Neill, Campaigner at Act Now - roan@actnowni.org

NOTES:

1. Act Now is the first people-powered campaigning community for Northern Ireland, and has over 29,000 members here who take action on a range of issues, including climate change, education, childcare, and anti-racism. www.actnowni.org

2. For more information on Migrant Workers Union-NI, please visit their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/migrantworkersunionni/ 

3. Here is a link to the public Open Letter: https://my.actnowni.org/petitions/solidarity-with-migrant-workers