'Connected Communities' fund aims to reduce the harms of racism and disinformation in Waterford
Dancers performing during this year's Africa Day celebrations in Waterford's Cultural Quarter. Photo: Joe Evans
A 'Connected Communities' community safety fund was recently appointed to Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP), to reduce the harms of racism and disinformation in the community, including online activity.
The project focuses on the community safety of intersectional and migrant communities, responding to growing concerns of how misinformation, hate speech, populist political ideologies and exclusionary narratives impact community safety, Eddie Mulligan, coordinator for WLCSP, announced at a recent public meeting.
In a question submitted to WLCSP ahead of their meeting last Monday, November 9, a Waterford resident asked how the partnership plans to stop racism and hatred in the community.
"Our community is regularly subjected to online abuse, racist and hateful comments, particularly after cultural and national celebration dates. As you no doubt saw, your page had to delete many racist and hateful comments after Africa Day," the question read, "What are your plans to stop racism and hatred in the community and online?"
Mr Mulligan encouraged anyone on the receiving end of racist or hateful abuse to contact and report any criminal behaviour to the Gardaí.
He also noted that the partnership works collaboratively with the effected community when reports are made to them, often with the support of their partners in the HSE and An Garda Síochána, through programmes like the Connected Communities initiative, which will engage over 1,000 participants and reach up to 10,000 residents of Waterford city and county through campaigns and collaboration.
"We look forward to delivering the project in collaboration with Waterford Integration Services, the local authority integration team and the various communities involved, including all our partners that are seated here tonight."
