Bristol comes together to unite communities against hatred

Remembering Srebrenica are organising an event to mark the 21st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and to Unite Against Racism in the centre of Bristol on Saturday 13^th August.

The event is supported by: Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, The Mayor Mr. Marvin Rees, Bristol City Council, Avon & Somerset Police and the Black Police Association. The charity Remembering Srebrenica have organised nearly 200 events to bring people together all over the country this year and say that parallels can be seen between the anti-Islamic rhetoric in the Balkans in the 1990s and in the UK today. Hate crime in the UK, particularly religious hate crime, has risen dramatically, with Tell MAMA reporting a 326% increase in Islamophobic incidents and a 57% increase in hate crime in the immediate aftermath of the EU Referendum.

The charity says that makes it all the more important for communities now to take action to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that feed hatred. 11^th July marked the 21^st anniversary of the genocide of 8,372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica – murdered on account of their Islamic faith and Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, Chairman of Remembering Srebrenica said:

“21 years after the genocide, we are determined not only to remember the victims of Srebrenica, but to honour their memories by taking positive action to build better communities. Srebrenica teaches us that prejudice and hatred left unchecked can have catastrophic consequences, not only for the generation that suffers the violence, but for the following generations whose futures are also irreversibly altered.

“Remembering Srebrenica’s dedicated Community Champions are leading a grassroots movement to challenge the stereotyping and dehumanising language that has become prevalent in our country, and to bring communities together through acts of commemoration around Memorial Week. We are confident that the people of Bristol will come together in a strong demonstration that they are united against hatred this weekend”.

The event in Bristol will feature an information stall at The Broadmead Podium and free silk flowers will be given out to the public as a symbol of peace. Last month four national events took place throughout the UK, in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast. Phillip Hammond MP, former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spoke in London, while leaders of the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish assemblies all pledged their support to Remembering Srebrenica in holding national commemorations in their countries.

In addition, Remembering Srebrenica’s Regional Boards and Community Champions have worked together to hold hundreds of Srebrenica Commemorations in towns and cities across the nation, bringing communities together through multi-faith memorial services, concerts, film screenings, football tournaments and Peace Walks. These demonstrate the importance of community links within the UK, as well as highlighting that we truly do have more in common than dividing us.

Everyone is encouraged to drop by and show support during this information and awareness raising day from 10am to 4pm at The Broadmead Podium, Broadmead, Bristol City Centre. You can contact the organisers via email southwest@srebrenica.org.uk or look on the website www.srebrenica.org.uk for more information on the genocide.