Councillor Ganotis, ahead of making a statement at the Council Meeting on 30th June, said ‘I’m sending out the message loudly and clearly that any instance of racism, xenophobia or hate crime is totally unacceptable, and the worrying rise in these crimes we’ve seen in recent days will be strongly rejected by people throughout Stockport.
‘Those of us in public life have a duty to stand up to combat racism wherever we find it, and I utterly condemn the events which have happened this week.
‘As part of my first Executive Statement to the Council on Thursday 30th June I intend to invite the Leaders of all parties to stand together to unite against racism and xenophobia by putting their put their names to a pledge to oppose discrimination in all its forms.’
In Greater Manchester recent examples of racist attacks include a well-publicised attack which took place on Metrolink in Manchester City Centre on 28th June.
Councillor Ganotis added ‘The Council and other public bodies are working together to ensure that the public remain safe and that any instances of hate crimes which are reported are dealt with swiftly in accordance with the law.
‘Whilst it is important that we respect the outcome of the referendum, I’m sure politicians and members of the public who were on both sides of the debate agree that the actions of a tiny minority are totally unacceptable and have no place in 21st Century Britain.’
A pledge to oppose discrimination was first signed by Stockport Councillors from across the political spectrum in April 2014.