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October 2005 Fortnight of Action - Action ReportsThe Honest Men Trust - United against racism15 October - Today's match will see the launch of a local campaign in support of the anti-racism charity, Show Racism the Red Card.
Around 20 years ago, a small band of so-called Ayr United supporters verbally abused a black Albion Rovers player, Vic Kasule, in a match at Cliftonhill. Apart from the monkey chants, bananas were hurled onto the pitch as he ran past them. Fortunately, these scenes that brought shame on the club and its' supporters have never been repeated but that doesn't mean that the problem no longer exists. Last year, after complaints of racist abuse being directed at players by an Ayr United supporter - an action that ultimately led to that supporter being banned from Somerset Park - The Honest Men Trust and Ayr United agreed an anti-racism policy that can be seen in full on the club website www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk That policy states "anyone found to participate in such chanting (racist) will be ejected from the ground by stewards and police and BANNED from Somerset Park" However, even as recently as the CIS Cup tie against Hibs, after the match the Trust received a complaint of racist abuse being directed at black Hibs players. The Honest Men Trust have reported the matter to the club to ensure that all stewards and police officers on duty are aware of the policy adopted by the club to tackle racism.
Racism is wrong - and it is a CRIME. It leads to a segregation of cultures and encourages hostility and hatred towards each other based purely on the colour of a persons skin - 'even though we're awe Jock Tamsons' bairns'. It is usually bred by ignorance! Some people use racist language, even though they don't realise it. How often do you have a take away from the 'Chinky's' or shop at the local 'Paki's'? These phrases are often used as terms of verbal abuse, often accompanied by swearing or other insults. They are offensive to people of Chinese or Pakistani origin - and are usually not even used in the correct term! The phrase 'Paki' in particular is used as a generalisation for people of Asian origin, whether they come from Pakistan, India or Bangladesh. So often the term won't even refer to the right country of origin of that person. If you're a Scot, just think how you feel when you get called English when abroad on holiday! Today is just the start of an ongoing local campaign to tackle racism both at football matches and in society in general. If we are all United Against Racism, we can start to break down the cycle of stereotyping and prejudice that leads to the racist attitudes that blight our society. The Honest Men Trust Source: Ayr United FC Match day programme 
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The
Honest Men Trust, in conjunction with Unison, South Ayrshire Council,
Ayr United and the T&G are supporting the campaign by staging their
own Day of Action at Somerset Park, to co-incide with the charity's own
Fortnight of Action that started on Thursday.
So
what should YOU do if you hear racist abuse being shouted at Somerset
Park or any other football ground? The answer is to notify the nearest
steward or police officer immediately. The perpetrator should be dealt
with accordingly and ultimately BANNED from Somerset Park. If no action
is taken by the officials, then report the incident to the Trust who will
take the matter up accordingly. It is only by standing up to these morons
that they will get he message that their actions are unacceptable.