This event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Preston Standing Together Against Racism community day event is back for its seventh year this March. 

The free event is to celebrate and raise awareness for the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It will also celebrate Preston’s long tradition of tolerance and respect for all of its citizens.

County Councillor Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council Cabinet Member for Community and Cultural Service, said: “This event addresses a sensitive subject by promoting positive messages rather than focusing on negative prejudice.

“It is so important to recognise and support this International Day. Bringing all communities together to promote fairness, justice and equality for all our residents is definitely to be celebrated. Preston is proud of its diverse society that is both harmonious and cohesive. We all need to continue to take an active role building on the achievements we have made. There is no room for complacency.”

You can expect entertainment, speeches, and appearances from Chinese Dragon Dance, Caribbean Rhythm Dance Troupe and DJ Kash to name just a few. The event will also incorporate UCLan’s second Diversity Carnival and Inclusion Festival.

Leader of Preston City Council, Councillor Matthew Brown, said: “It is essential that our young people are encouraged to envisage a society that is unified and free from discrimination. That is why I am asking you to support this year’s Standing Together Against Racism (STAR) event.  Tackling racism is about winning hearts and minds which must start with the young.  If we don’t try to do this whole sections of the community are potentially made more vulnerable going into the future.”

Chair of Preston and Western Lancashire Racial Equality and Diversity Council, Mrs Veronica Afrin, said: “Preston City has enjoyed cultural and faith diversity for a long period of time due to the immense goodwill of the citizens of Preston.  It is important that we all carrying on supporting each other and continuing to fight inequality and injustice in our society.”

The event takes place on Saturday 21 March from 11am to 3pm at Preston’s Flag Market.

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Will you be attending the event? Let us know in the comments.