21 March: From Memory to Mandate
On 21 March each year, people around the world mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The date is not accidental. On 21 March, communities around the world observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, commemorating the 1960 killings of peaceful protesters in South Africa known as the Sharpeville Massacre. On that day, police opened fire on a nonviolent protest, killing 69 people and wounding 180.
In 1966, the United Nations designated 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in response to the tragedy. In South Africa, the date is also observed as Human Rights Day.
Sharpeville marked a turning point in the global struggle against racial injustice. It remains a powerful reminder of what can happen when systems of discrimination are normalised—and of the courage of ordinary people who refuse to accept them.
More than sixty years on, racial discrimination has not disappeared. Its forms have changed, but its impact remains.
On 21 March this year, BRIG will be hosting an evening for local communities here in — not simply to remember Sharpeville, but to reflect together on what racial justice requires in our city today.
As the city prepares for the upcoming local elections, we believe this is a moment for clarity. If candidates are seeking the trust and votes of our communities, what commitments are they prepared to make on racial justice? What does an anti-racist Birmingham look like in practice — in housing, education, health, employment, culture and civic life?
The purpose of this gathering is to begin shaping a Community Mandate: a clear articulation of what local communities want to see from those who aspire to lead this city. A mandate is not a slogan. It is not a wish list. It is a statement of expectations, grounded in lived experience and informed by collective wisdom and insight.
For some, 21 March may be a date they had not previously encountered. For others, it carries deep historical resonance. Either way, it offers us an opportunity to pause and ask how we honour the past in the choices we make today.
Birmingham has set an ambition to become a world-leading anti-racist city by 2035. Ambition, however, must be accompanied by accountability. The policies and priorities set after this election will shape daily life for years to come.
We invite you to join us on 21 March from 5.30 pm for a 6.00 pm start at BRIG Café, 54–57 Allison Street, Birmingham B5 5TH. Please reserve your place via Eventbrite. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whether you have been part of BRIG’s work for many years or are just beginning to explore these questions, your voice matters.
21 March is an opportunity for local communities to come together, recognising that the future of our city is shaped not only at the ballot box, but also in the expectations we set and the commitments we seek from those asking for our vote.