DLR marks ‘Wear Red Day 2026’ with campaign to Stand Against Racism

Councillor Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“Today, ‘Wear Red Day’ is an important opportunity for our community to come together and take a visible stand against racism. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is a diverse and vibrant county, and initiatives such as this highlight our shared commitment to inclusion, respect and equality for everyone who calls this place home.

 

Through the work of the Local Authority Integration Team, Equality Office and Community and Cultural Services Department, the Council is committed to promoting understanding, supporting our diverse communities and ensuring that our county remains a welcoming place for all.”

‘Wear Red Day’ forms part of the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ (SRTRC) programme, which uses education, sport and community engagement to challenge racism and promote inclusion. The programme provides workshops, training and educational resources for schools, youth groups, workplaces and local authorities nationwide.

In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, the Council’s Local Authority Integration Team and Community Section have been working with new arrivals, local partner organisations on the dlr Community Integration Forum, community groups, schools and with County Council staff to deliver SRTRC training and awareness initiatives. These workshops and programmes help build awareness of racism, promote intercultural understanding and support communities in responding to racism and discrimination. 

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said:

“Wear Red Day is a powerful reminder that racism has no place in our communities. It is encouraging to see people across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown coming together to show solidarity and support for inclusion. Through initiatives like this, we can continue building a county where diversity is respected and everyone feels they belong.”

The Council’s Equality Office continues to support this work through a range of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives across the organisation. These include staff training, awareness campaigns and the implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, helping to ensure that equality and respect remain central to the Council’s services and workplace culture.

This work builds on a number of Council initiatives delivered across the county in recent years including the ‘dlr Together | dlr Le Chéile’ campaign to promote inclusion and address racism.  These include training workshops, awareness campaigns aimed at supporting communities to respond to racism and promoting intercultural understanding, as well as participation in the SALAAM Project (Sustainable Alliances Against Anti-Muslim Hatred).

Through collaboration with local communities, new arrivals, partner organisations, migrant-led groups and the dlr Integration Forum, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council continues to support a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who live, work and visit the county.

For more information and to access materials and support, contact: Elaine Ryan, Equality Officer, dlr County Council: email eryan@dlrcoco.ie 

View more information about the dlr Equality Office on our website.

View more information about the dlr Local Authority Integration Team.

To contact the dlr Local Authority Integration Team: email: integration@dlrcoco.ie / call: 01 205 4893