A RALLY in Otley has shown that the community ‘won’t stand for racism’.

That is the conclusion of community group Otley Welcomes which organised the event in the Market Square on Thursday, March 21.

The rally was intended to demonstrate the town’s solidarity with those fighting prejudice around the world.

It also included a two minute silence to remember all those who were killed in the South African township of Sharpeville, in 1960, and in a terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, earlier this month.

Only hours before, however, stickers promoting white supremacist ideology had had to be removed from several sites around town. 
Despite that, Otley Welcomes Chair Victoria Smith declared the evening a success. She said: “We had more than 250 people in attendance and inspiring speeches with positive and courageous messages.

“Our speakers included Reverend Jimmy Lawrence from Otley Parish Church; Town Mayor Mary Vickers; Dima Chami, the Equalities Officer for Leeds University branch UCU; MP Alex Sobel and Kauser Jan, from Stand Up to Racism.

“They focused on the need for acceptance, tolerance and vigilance against the rise of a more organised and connected far-right movement.”

MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) said: “I was honoured to speak at Otley Welcomes’ UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event. It was fantastic to be joined by so many local people committed to fighting racism and fascism.

“Over the last week or so alone we have seen the horrific murders in Christchurch, the mosque attacks in the UK and an assault on one of my colleagues, Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP, by a member of the far right.
"Fascism is even raising its head in peaceful places like Otley, where stickers from a far right, neo-fascist group have been appearing around town.

"It is crucial that in difficult times communities’ band together and reject this type of rhetoric. I am pleased and proud that Otley has done just that and local people have been removing the stickers.”

The Liberal Democrats’ Parliamentary candidate for Leeds North West, Kamran Hussain, was also present along with a number of town and ward councillors.

Town Mayor Councillor Mary Vickers told those gathered in the Market Square that: “It is our responsibility as individuals and members of our community to look out for each other and tackle racism and discrimination whenever we see it.

"We live in troubled times and more than ever, we need to show how a world in which all can comfortably co-exist is necessary, possible and essential."

The event was supported by many of the town’s businesses, churches, community groups and politicians. Otley Welcomes will launch a Welcome Charter in the town later this year.