Dewsbury, Batley and Cleckheaton Town Halls to be lit up in purple this weekend as part of anti-racism movement

Dewsbury, Batley and Cleckheaton Town Halls will be illuminated in purple on Saturday and Sunday evening to mark two significant days in the anti-racism calendar.

Saturday, March 20 is UN Anti-Racism Day and Sunday, March 21 is the United Nations Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which Kirklees is proud to support.

The same buildings were lit purple last June to show support for those who took to the streets across the world in a bid for equality following the death of George Floyd.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “Racism has no place in Kirklees or in any modern day society, and that’s why we are supporting this weekend’s anti-racism message.

“Eradicating racism and wider inequalities from society is not something we can do alone - we must work together to achieve these aims. Nevertheless, we want to do what we can to shine a light on the weekend’s important anti-racism message.

“The death of George Floyd last year reinvigorated societies around the world to stand up and address social injustices and here in Kirklees we were no different - we wanted change.

“When we lit up our buildings last June I said that we must follow this up with long term action, and I’m proud to say we are doing just that.

"Our new council plan is focused around building a fairer and more equal Kirklees by working with residents and partners to address inequalities.

"We want Kirklees to be a place where a person’s skin colour, religion, culture or background doesn’t create barriers to them living a healthy life that is rich with opportunity.

“I encourage everyone to please join me in virtually supporting this weekend’s messages of anti-racism.

"Our biggest strength in Kirklees is our diversity and we should be extremely proud of this.”