People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin has accused far-right elements trying to promote fear and division in Derry.
He was speaking following the posting of a racist sticker adorned with Nazi imagery and far-right messaging appeared on a lamp post in the city.
Said the Foyleside councillor: “”Neo-Nazi propaganda promoting a racist ‘whites-only’ message in Derry is despicable and shouldn’t be accepted.
“Far-right individuals and fascist groups were behind the recent riots in Dublin and they’re intent on whipping up more fear and division.
“Hatred of migrants, Jews and Muslims is steeped into their agenda but so too is hatred of campaigners for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, disability rights and workers rights.
“These are groups who celebrate, make light of or diminish the Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews and millions of others the Nazis viewed as enemies or unfit.
“They are linked with British fascists who campaigned in defence of Soldier F and supported atrocities carried out here by the British Army.
“They are cheerleaders for Israel’s US and British government backed genocidal war in Gaza.
“The same individuals attacked healthcare workers and trade unions during the covid pandemic while promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
“Unfortunately, these pathetic people have sympathisers in the political establishment who are happy to pander to their noxious agenda.
“Instead of challenging the governments, political parties and billionaires responsible for poverty, the housing shortage and the state of public services – the far-right targets asylum seekers, migrant workers and the vulnerable in our communities.
“They’re not about more housing, better pay or better funded public services – they’re about promoting racism, fear and division.
“They want communities to turn on each other.
“Decent people should make sure fascists and the far-right aren’t tolerated in any shape or form.
“We want to build inclusive communities empowered to address the root causes of deprivation and focused on fighting for access to quality housing and good public services for all.”
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