Anti-bigotry campaign launched in wake of Glasgow sectarian violence

A campaign to tackle bigotry in Glasgow is being launched, following outbursts of violence from Republicans and Loyalists over the last few months.

It is called 'Not in Your Blood' and it has been designed by students from the City College along side charity Nil By Mouth.

Riots broke out in Govan and in the City Centre last month after planned demonstrations by Irish Republican flute bands were met with a counter-protests.

Student Georgina Alvarado said: "We are all proud to live, work and study in a multi-cultural city like Glasgow and wanted to create a campaign that reminded people that no one is born to hate. Our group comes from a diverse backgrounds and know diversity is a positive thing for society but we are not naïve enough to think everyone shares these views.

"We felt the image of blood cells highlights universality and we hope our campaign reminds people that we should respond to difference not with anger or violence but with questions and a will to find common ground between people of different faiths and cultures.

"There is so much more which unites, rather than divides us, and its often just a question of taking the time and effort to focus on the positives. Our city and its people are bigger, better and bolder than bigotry and we hope that when people see our campaign they’ll take a moment to remember that.’

Nil by Mouth Director Dave Scott said: "This is a very imaginative and timely campaign with a powerful visual image that seeks to remind people that regardless of our colour or creed the same blood flows through all our veins.

"The judging panel were hugely impressed by the concept these young women came up with and it highlights again that a new generation is finding its voice on the things which matter to them. There’s clearly been serious issues across Glasgow in recent months with sectarianism and other forms of hate crime and we want to use this campaign to hammer home the message that things don’t have to be this way.

"Tens of thousands of people will see these ads over the next few weeks and we hope it will encourage them to think about their own attitudes."

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