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Usdaw joins tens of thousands in standing together against racism on Wear Red Day

Date: 18 October 2019 Members and reps from the retail trade union Usdaw will today join tens of thousands of people in schools and workplaces across the UK to stand up against racism on Friday 18 October by taking part in Wear Red Day.
Wear Red Day is the national day of action for the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card. The charity is calling on people to wear something red on the day and raise funds to support their anti-racism education work with young people and adults in the UK.
 
This is the fifth year Wear Red Day has taken place and the event has grown in popularity each year. Hundreds of businesses, schools, local authorities, community groups and teams have signed up to take part this year and the charity hopes to raise £100,000.
 
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “With this week’s Home Office figures showing yet another year-on-year increase in race hate crime, by 11%, Wear Red Day is a timely reminder that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Regardless of race, religious belief or national origin everyone must be allowed to go about their lives free from fear of abuse.
 
“Across the country Usdaw reps are organising Wear Red Day events on Friday in workplaces to raise awareness and funds for educational work delivered by Show Racism the Red Card. These activities complement Usdaw’s No Room for Racism campaign, which involves the union’s reps running workplace campaigns all year round; doing what our reps do best, standing up for workers at the sharp end and bringing people together. They engage members, non-members and employers with our anti-racist message - not in my name, not in my workplace.”
 
Ged Grebby, Chief Executive of Show Racism the Red Card, said: “Wear Red Day is all about standing together against racism and sending a very visual message that racism will not be tolerated. As well as wearing something red, we’re asking people to donate £1 and this will help us deliver anti-racism education to more young people across the country. Anyone can join in – simply wear something red on 18th October and donate £1 to help us tackle racism in society.”
 
“We’re delighted to see so many people pledging to stand together against racism. The support for this day is growing every year and that’s very encouraging but we know it’s still so important that we continue to challenge racism and educate people about the impact it has. Every pound raised on Wear Red Day will help us reach more young people and adults with our anti-racism education.”
 
You can support Wear Red Day by wearing something red and donating £1, simply text ‘RED’ to 70470 – the text will cost £1 plus your standard rate message. The charity is encouraging everyone taking part this year to share their support by posting a photograph on social media and using the hashtag #WRD19.
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 410,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
Wear Red Day #WRD19: www.theredcard.org/wear-red-day
 
Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity. Founded in 1996, it uses the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. The charity works with schools, football clubs, trade unions and companies to deliver unique anti-racism education to children, young people and adults. Each year Show Racism the Red Card delivers training to more than 50,000 people across England, Wales and Scotland.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion

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