UNITED  Press  Release:  17.03.2017    

From  18-­‐26  March,  hundreds  of  activities  will  take  place  all  over  Europe  to  protest  against  racism  and  advocate  for  open,  inclusive,  and  UNITED  societies.    Organisations  all  over  Europe  are  preparing  activities  to  mark  the  European  Action  Week  Against  Racism.  Organised  by  UNITED  for  Intercultural  Action,  a  European  network  of  antiracist  NGOs,  this  annual  campaign  sees  civil  society  groups,  educational  institutions  and  city  governments  come  together  to  protest  against  racism  and  celebrate  the  diversity  that  enriches  European  societies.    In  light  of  the  divisive  political  rhetoric  that  has  gripped  Europe  in  recent  years,  the  message  of  the  2017  Action  Week  campaign  is  simple:  Don’t  be  divided,  Stay  UNITED!      “We  are  living  in  a  time  where  the  core  ideas  of  European  culture  and  identity  are  questioned  and  there  is  a  confusion  of  values.”  Said  UNITED  Programme  Coordinator  Balint  Josa.  “UNITED  believes  in  solidarity  and  equality,  and  the  possibility  of  different  identities  living  in  peace  together.  Taking  action  in  defence  of  these  ideas  is  the  responsibility  of  everyone,  so  it’s  vital  that  as  many  people  as  possible  take  part  in  activities  organised  by  our  network  to  mark  this  important  annual  campaign.”    The  campaign  is  based  around  21  March,  the  anniversary  of  the  Sharpeville  Massacre  in  South  Africa  in  1960,  which  in  1966  was  recognised  by  the  UN  as  the  International  Day  for  the  Elimination  of  Racial  Discrimination.  UNITED  has  been  organising  an  annual  antiracism  campaign  around  this  date  since  1993.    You  can  find  more  information  about  the  campaign,  including  an  interactive  map  showing  the  hundreds  of  activities  taking  place  across  Europe,  and  the  city  governments  who  have  joined  the  campaign,  at  www.weekagainstracism.eu      Media  contact:    Jonathan  Karstadt  jonathan@unitedagainstracism.org  |  +31-­‐20-­‐6834778    This  campaign  has  been  made  possible  with  support  of  the  Council  of  Europe  (European  Youth  Foundation)  and  the  Erasmus+  Programme  of  the  European  Union.  The  information  contained  herein  does  not  necessarily  reflect  the  position  nor  the  opinion  of  our  sponsors.  Sponsors  are  not  to  be  held  responsible  for  any  use  that  may  be  made  of  it.