Avaaz petition to reject racism and condemn media hatemongers

[LeftishBrit]

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uk_reject_racism_/?tiUvmab

With hope and determination,

Iain and the Avaaz team



_____

Dear friends,

"No More Polish Vermin" -- that's what was posted through the letterboxes of Polish families this weekend.

Hundreds of hate crimes have been reported in the last few days. From Hackney to Huntingdon, anyone with an accent, a different skin colour, a different faith, is fair game.

Brexit is a new chapter in our country’s history, but the people penning the first words are far-right radicals and neo-nazis. They’ve been emboldened by a reckless media that spread hateful headlines throughout the Brexit campaign and beyond. Because of this, these violent extremists now feel that over half the country is behind them, and they’re taking their hate to the streets.

We can show them they are wrong.

Let’s come together now to reject the hate and those who fuel it. Click below to add your name, once we reach a million signers, we’ll take it to the media to show the country is united against hate. Sign now and forward this email:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uk_reject_racism_/?tiUvmab

“There ARE too many migrants”, “Halt the asylum tide now!”, “Migrants: How many more can we take?” -- all of these were splashed on the front pages of the Sun and the Daily Mail in the lead up to the vote. And now “Go back to Africa!” is being yelled at minorities in our communities after the ballots were counted. But none of this represents who we are as a people, no matter how we voted.

These media outlets have mainstreamed racism and hate in the UK. Because of their irresponsible coverage the racist minority in the UK now feels emboldened. It’s why in the days since the referendum result, there’s been a 57% rise in reports of hate crimes. The media started this, and now the media can end it by holding those responsible to account, and reminding the country that racism has no popular place here.
We are less divided than we imagine, the UK is still a place that values community, connection, and humanity. Let’s show the racists in our media and on our streets that they won’t win. Sign now and forward this to everyone:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uk_reject_racism_/?tiUvmab

The murdered MP Jo Cox once said: “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” That wisdom was her legacy to us. Let's carry it forward.

With hope for healing,

Iain, Emma, Lisa, Antonia, Melanie, Luis and the rest of the Avaaz team
PS. Have you, or someone you know been a victim of racism? Report it on Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/Post-Ref-Racism-205471743181923/) or Twitter here (https://twitter.com/PostRefRacism/).


More information:

#PostRefRacism: This catalogue of racist abuse following Brexit is terrifying (Metro)
http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/26/postrefracism-this-catalogue-of-racist-abuse-following-brexit-is-terrifying-5968180/

Brexit: Wave of hate crime and racial abuse reported after EU referendum (The Independent)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-eu-referendum-racial-racism-abuse-hate-crime-reported-latest-leave-immigration-a7104191.html

Spate of racist attacks blamed on Brexit vote (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/26/spate-of-racist-attacks-blamed-on-brexit-vote/

Wave of Racist, Xenophobic Incidents After Brexit Vote Has U.K. Worried (Slate)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/06/26/wave_of_racist_xenophobic_incidents_reported_across_u_k_after_brexit_vote.html