An anti-racism rally was held outside Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on Saturday afternoon.
The Unison-led event was aimed at showing solidarity to healthcare staff who have recently been subjected to racist abuse – and with one strong message: Racism has no place here.
Unison representative in the Southern Trust area, Deborah Yapicioz (pictured inset), was among those who addressed the crowd who gathered
“We are here today not out of fear, but out of courage,” she said defiantly to those who had gathered. “Not in silence, but in unity. Not to whisper, but to speak—boldly, clearly, and without apology—that racism has no place here.
“It has no place in our streets, in our schools, in our hospitals, in our workplaces, or in our homes. And it has absolutely no place in our hearts.
“Recently, in our own community, individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for others — doctors, nurses, care workers—have been targeted simply because of the colour of their skin or the country of their birth. This is not just wrong. It is a disgrace. It is a betrayal of everything we claim to stand for.”
Ms Yapicioz spoke of an incident approximately three weeks ago, where five international doctors and their families were subjected to “vile racist abuse” during a visit to a local play park.
“It is absolutely shocking to hear that such hatred in our community,” she said.
“The repercussions of these incidents have been profound. Reports indicate that some healthcare workers now feel unsafe using public transport due to fears of racial abuse, leading to increased anxiety and a sense of vulnerability among staff.”
The Unison rep also reference an incident on August 24 last year when Anu Okusanya was coming home from the work place.
The care worker, who had come from Nigeria a year before, had previously been terrorised by a local gang.
When she saw the same people attacking someone else, she fled in terror. She was so overcome with fear she suffered an asthma attack and multiple heart attacks. She died later in hospital.
“This was not an isolated incident,” she said, “racism has become a pandemic.”
“Let me be very clear: racism is not a difference of opinion. It is not a ‘mistake’. It is a sickness. And silence in the face of racism is complicity.
“To those who say, ‘It’s not my problem,’ I say: If you benefit from a system that excludes others, then it is your problem. To those who say, ‘I don’t see colour,’ I say: We must see colour, because pretending not to only erases the struggles people of colour face every day.
“Our diversity is not a weakness—it is our strength. But it is a strength only if we recognise it, honour it, and protect it. That means calling out racism wherever we see it, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable.
“We are here today to say, with one voice: We will not stand by. We will not look away. We will not be quiet. We will rise. We will educate. We will organise. We will build communities where everyone—no matter their race, background, or faith—feels safe, respected, and free.
“To the victims of racism in our community: We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.”
