Reform UK's Sunderland council refuses to take part in anti-racism campaign to light up monuments red

Reform UK's Sunderland council refuses to take part in anti-racism campaign to light up monuments red EXCLUSIVE: Show Racism the Red Card planned to use Wearside monuments in its campaign to fight the rise of bigotry and abuse, but the Reform council has refused to take part A Reform-led council is refusing to light up landmarks in the fight against racism. Show Racism the Red Card planned to use the monuments around Sunderland and Wearside in their campaign to fight the rise of bigotry and abuse. It was a great success last year when Penshaw Monument, Northern Spire Bridge, Hylton Castle, Fulwell Mill and Seaburn lighthouse were all lit red for the charity's 'Wear Red Day'. Last year 710,000 supporters signed up to take part in the event which helps fund the charity's anti-racism education work. The charity has worked for decades with Sunderland council, and it had been a close ally in its work against racism in the past. This year, it was hoping to mark the landmark of reaching 1m people. Former deputy leader Kelly Chequer asked the council, now Reform-led, to do the same this year. But Reform leader Chris Eynon told her: "The council has a good record of lighting up its fantastic monuments for good causes. But this is a very different kettle of fish altogether. We don't have any plans to link up. "This is mainly due to the stark political bias of their founder Ged Grebby. He said that Reform UK are a 'very, very dangerous organisation' in an article in 2024. "In 2025, he Tweeted and I quote that 'racists have been involved with Nigel Farage' and tweeted a month later that 'we need to mobilise against Farage'. He is also a regular attendee of Labour Party Conferences. He also had a meeting with a variety of unions. "We are happy to get behind good causes like Carers Week but we have no plans of supporting politically-charged organisations with an agenda." Mr. Eynon later said that he did not need an affiliation with the charity "in order to oppose racism". He said the decision should not be seen "as the council stepping back from its opposition to racism or discrimination". "Racism has no place in Sunderland and the council will continue to treat all residents fairly and challenge discrimination wherever it occurs," he added. "The issue is specifically whether Sunderland City Council should maintain a formal association with, financially support and publicly endorse, the campaigns of a particular external organisation." He said the council was not preventing the charity from campaigning and it "remains entirely free to work with schools, businesses, Sunderland AFC and anybody else who wishes to support it". The charity celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. At a special dinner at the Ramside Hotel in Co Durham, Ged said that its work was 'more important than ever'. The event was attended by Sunderland legend Gary Bennett, a long-time supporter of Show Racism the Red Card. He said that he was 'shocked' by the move and hoped the council would relent and "come to some sort of agreement". Ged told the Mirror: "I consider it a badge of honour and I stick by what I said about Nigel Farage and Reform. "What they say about immigrants is scandalous, they are constantly blaming them for society's woes. I was not shocked by the decision to stop their support for our organisation after 30 years. "I think it is a disgrace but it exposes them for what they are. It does not mean that the city and its people will not be supporting Wear Red Day. Sunderland football club is behind us and the Stadium of Light will be lit up red, this is just a reflection of Reform and proof that they are not willing to stand up for anti racist causes. They did the same for Pride events, it exposes what they are but the people of Sunderland will still get behind us." He added: "It is important that voters see this decision as further evidence that the Council is unsupportive of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. We will continue to build for Wear Red Day on Friday October 16th and encourage schools and businesses to show their support."