An evening of student-led drama and celebrating cultural diversity was held at Armagh City Hotel as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week and Good Relations Week recently.
Organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), Community Development team and Tourism Arts and Culture department, along with Ark Housing and Southern Regional College, the event encouraged empathy, understanding and amplifying the community voice to speak up about hate crime issues.
Hate crime is any incident perceived to have been committed against any person or property on the grounds of a particular person’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability (Victim Support NI).
Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray said: “This event reminds us that standing against hate is not just the responsibility of a few – it is the duty of us all. By speaking out, by showing solidarity, and by celebrating what unites us, we send a clear message – hate has no home here.
“I want to emphasise the importance of reporting hate crime and speaking out against it. You can do this directly to the police, either by phone or online, through our experienced hate crime advocates, or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers.”
SRC Performing Arts students delivered a powerful Theatre in Education production called ‘Speak Up’, which tackled the issue of hate crime by jumping into the shoes of others and bringing to life the hard-hitting impacts of hate crime.
The production has also been delivered to almost 700 pupils from 13 primary schools across the borough, including St Patrick’s and Christian Brother’s in Armagh; Edenderry, Drumadonnell, Bridge, St Colman’s and Lawrencetown in Banbridge; St John the Baptist, Edenderry and Hart Memorial in Portadown; St Teresa’s, St Anthony’s and St Brendan’s in Lurgan.
Teresa McBride, SRC Performing Arts Course Coordinator explained that the play had been geared towards primary school children because they were ‘more accepting’.
She said: “For some children maybe, their parents and grandparents might not have the same views so we thought if we could educate the children, let them then go home and educate their parents and grandparents.
“It shouldn’t matter – the colour of someone’s skin, their religion, what they believe in, what they look like. I don’t think that should be an issue in 2025.”
The event at the hotel also showcased various foods, costumes, art and information to acknowledge the different cultures, identities and backgrounds of those living in the ABC borough.
This event was funded by ABC PCSP, The Executive Office District Council Good Relations Programme, ABC Tourism, Arts and Culture and Ark Housing’s Shared Housing Programme.
This project was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.
The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy, which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
Four million pounds has been invested in the St Malachy’s Court shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.
Ark Housing Association continues to work in partnership with the Local Advisory Group stakeholders, and with residents to develop the scheme’s Good Relations Plan.
