SNP Councillor Frank Ross represents the Corstorphine and Murrayfield Ward and he is also Deputy Leader of the council.
He writes:
“Over recent years there is evidence to indicate that Scotland has become more accepting of the diversity of individuals and communities, and that in many areas citizen’s rights and equality of opportunity are being enhanced and advanced. Evidence also indicates that discriminatory attitudes have not reduced consistently and that some citizens and communities still experience inequality.
There have however been reports since the EU referendum result last week of an increase, in different parts of the UK, of incidents of alleged racist abuse or hate crime many citing anti immigration rhetoric.
The effects are most often felt in the BME (black or minority ethnic) and migrant communities but affect all of us who live and work here in the capital, and can have a devastating impact on those on the receiving end of this type of crime.
This is totally unacceptable and I take this opportunity to reiterate the SNP Group’s view that racism and hate crime are completely unacceptable. We are determined to do all we can to eliminate these and will continue to work in partnership with Police Scotland and other relevant agencies to provide reassurance to ALL Edinburgh citizens.
All Council departments alongside many third sector bodies work tirelessly to combat hate crime, as and when it is detected, and we continue to partner with Police Scotland in this regard especially through the many community officers funded by the Council.
Edinburgh is a vibrant, multicultural capital city. We learn and broaden our experience from the different cultures which live and flourish in this city. Race and hate crime have no place in Edinburgh and we will continue to take all necessary actions to reassure all local communities that their diversity and contribution to our society is as valued as ever.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
