The Mirrabooka and Surrounds Committee has unanimously decided to observe the UN Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as a day of remembrance and reflection, rather than celebration. This decision honours the lives lost in the fight against racism and recognizes the ongoing struggles faced by many.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed every year on March 21, marks the tragic 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, where police killed 69 peaceful protesters against apartheid pass laws. In 1979, the UN General Assembly launched a solidarity week starting on this day to support those fighting racism. While apartheid has ended and many racist laws have been abolished, racism still causes harm worldwide. Guided by the nearly universal International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, efforts to combat racism continue to strive for justice and equality for all.