Councillor suffered vile racist abuse during Brexit referendum

Ashfield's only black councillor told how she suffered vile racial abuse as she canvassed during the EU referendum.
Ashfield Councillor Nicolle NdiweniAshfield Councillor Nicolle Ndiweni
Ashfield Councillor Nicolle Ndiweni

Hucknall Central Councillor Nicolle Ndiweni was speaking as Ashfield District councillors voted unanimously on a motion to fight xenophobia and racism.

The debate at a full meeting last night heard that police had not reported an increase in hate crime or racist incidents during and after the referendum in Ashfield.

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But in an emotional contribution, Coun Ndiweni said: “I support this motion in terms of statistics there hasn’t been a rise in incidents but the tensions are there.

“I don’t represent the 97 per cent of people of everyone in here.

“But people find it difficult to report these incidents because you just want to keep your head own and get on with your work like everybody else.

“I just think sometimes it is very easy when you are on the other side.

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“Not to sound disrespectful in any way -I am really glad this is something we can all sign together .

“Whatever country you come from, what your sexual orientation is, we are all humans and should be treated with respect.

“Before Brexit there were hurtful things said.

“I have been told ‘Get this filthy **** off my doorstep.’

“I just put my head down and said: “This is politics - that’s life.”

“But it is a difficult one - it is a crime that is under reported. Look at it positively but also realise there are tensions in our communities on a daily basis.”

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