Racism Campaign
The Minister of State at the Department of Transport has joined the National Transport Authority (NTA) in partnership with the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), to launch its annual Anti-Racism Campaign.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “We’re for what unites us”, which promotes the message that public transport is for everyone.
The campaign continues to celebrate the growing diversity within Ireland’s public transport services and aims to ensure people of all backgrounds, cultures and beliefs are treated with the respect they deserve.
The NTA brought together sixteen people from different backgrounds to form a special creative which was then painted as a mural in Chancery Street in Dublin. The creative will also be visible on-board public transport vehicles, across social media, digi-shelters and more.
Speaking at the launch Minister of State at the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Jack Chambers said: “The annual Anti-Racism Campaign is an important opportunity to reemphasise the message that everyone should be able to access and use our public transport services free from discrimination or prejudice in a safe and inclusive environment.
“Ireland is renowned worldwide for our welcoming nature and hospitality, and as our society becomes more diverse and multicultural this is more important than ever. This awareness campaign is about us being respectful and welcoming to all on our transport network throughout the towns and villages up and down the country, and in our daily lives. This campaign sends a powerful message that racism is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form on our buses, trains and across all public transport.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “The NTA is proud to partner once again with the Immigrant Council of Ireland to ensure our expanding public transport network is welcoming and accessible to all.
“Our public transport operators are uniting and standing together as we launch this campaign. The NTA, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail, Luas, and TFI Local Link provide essential public transport services to hundreds of thousands of passengers around Ireland each week and we want to welcome everyone onboard our services.
“The mural for this campaign looks amazing and what it stands for is inspiring. I encourage everyone to come see it and be united.”
Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland said: “ Racism can take many forms. It can take on a threatening, abusive or insulting nature, but can also be more subtle. Both can be equally as damaging to those who experience it.
“It can happen anywhere, including work, school, in or near your home, on public transport or in the street.
“I’d like to thank the NTA for once again partnering with us as we unite against racism. It is extremely important that we all work together as a society to ensure that diversity is celebrated and that issues like racism are challenged in the strongest possible way.”
Public transport customers are encouraged to visit the Anti-Racism Campaign mural on Chancery Street over the coming two weeks, take a selfie and post their picture on social media using the hashtag #TFI.