Bloody Sunday March Committee condemns racist abuse of incoming Derry mayor

Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr: "There is a need for authorities to undergo a process of institutional development to ensure they relate to ethnic and religious minorities."

placeholder image — Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr: "There is a need for authorities to undergo a process of institutional development to ensure they relate to ethnic and religious minorities."

Lilian Seenoi-Barr, originally from Kenya, has been selected by the SDLP to be the next first citizen of Derry City and Strabane District Council

The organising committee of the annual Bloody Sunday March have condemned the racist abuse aimed at the incoming mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

The SDLP councillor, who is originally from Kenya, has been selected by the SDLP to be the next first citizen of the city and district.

On Sunday a 30-year-old man was arrested by police over online threats against Cllr Seenoi-Barr. The man has since been released on police bail.

Kate Nash whose brother William was murdered on Bloody Sunday said she felt compelled to speak out over the matter.

Ms Nash said: "We know what it's like to be attacked, derided and bullied. For years people tried to stop us raising our voices. Newspapers called our loved ones terrorists and condemned us for seeking justice.

"Racism and sectarianism are branches of the same tree. The people at the top of the tree are happy to use both to divide ordinary people to maintain their own power.

"In Derry we have a tradition of looking after our own. This is an inclusionary practice because anyone who makes their home here is one of our own.

Kate Nash