Equinox is a European anti-racism organization,[1] launched in March 2021 with the support of the European Commissioner Helena Dalli.[2] Equinox was co-founded by Alfiaz Vaiya[3] and Sarah Chander.[4] The Ireland-based human rights activist Bulelani Mfaco is also a member of Equinox.[5]
 | |
| Founded | March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Sarah Chander, Claire Gilder, Alfiaz Vaiya |
| Location |
|
| Fields | Anti-racism, civil rights |
| Website | www |
Representatives of Equinox denounced police violence in the EU towards racialised minorities. Equinox considered that the EU authorities did not sufficiently support civil society organizations combating racism.[6] In March 2021 Equinox put forward a blueprint for reforms recommended to fight structural racism at the EU level.[7]
At the occasion of the 20-year anniversary of EU's Racial Equality Directive, Equinox criticized the legislation for being insufficient to address structural racism, as it is narrowly focused on individual acts of racism.[8]
European Green Deal
editAn area of focus of Equinox is the European Green Deal.[9] Equinox expressed concerns that the European Green Deal could perpetuate what the group referred to as green colonialism, failing to take into account the perspectives of community of colour within the EU.[10]
The role of the institutions of the European Union
editAlong with the European Network Against Racism, Equinox denounced the alleged whiteness of the European institutions. The organization argued for a greater representation of racialised communities in the policy discussions at the EU level.[11] Equinox encountered resistance to their antiracism agenda, for example European conservatives have created am moral panic around the concept of critical race theory.[12]
European Anti-Racism Summit
editEquinox was one of the civil society organizations represented at the first European Anti-Racism Summit which took place 19 March 2021[13] co-hosted by the European Commission and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as part of the EU Anti-racism Action Plan. Together with European Network Against Racism, Equinox advocated for a greater engagement by the European Commission with the civil society representing racialised communities ahead of the summit.[14]
Notes
edit- ^ "EU needs 'holistic approach' if they want to tackle racial discrimination". Euronews. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Helena Dalli delivers via videoconference a keynote speech on the Launch of Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice". Europa Nu. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Difference isn't a threat". New Straits Times. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Chander, Sarah (29 March 2021). "Difference isn't a threat". Aljazeera. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "22 activists to watch in 2022: From countering racism to saving the planet, the people fighting for change in Ireland". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ Banks, Martin (19 March 2021). "Anti-racism groups claim European Commission guilty of excluding them from flagship anti-racism summit". The Parliament Magazine. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Diab, Khaled (22 March 2021). "Race against time". Social Europe. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Fox, Benjamin (27 June 2021). "EU race relations bill lacks teeth, twenty years on". Euractiv. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ McDonagh, Shannon (4 June 2021). "European Green Deal accused of 'green colonialism' in new report". Euronews. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ LaBreck, Abby (2 July 2021). "The European Green Deal: Addressing the Intersection of Climate and Racial Justice". Harvard International Review. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ Adam, Ilke (19 March 2021). "EU's fight against racism isn't working". Politico. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ EU Scream (2 July 2021). "Eurocrats who look like Europe". EUobserver. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ "Alfiaz Vaiya". European Anti-Racism Summit. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "ENAR en EQUINOX komen met statement voorafgaand aan European Anti-Racism Summit, Ocan medeondertekenaar". Stichting Ocan. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.