Councillors condemn vandal who daubed racist and homophobic graffiti on Morecambe War Memorial

After a series of incidents where racist and homophobic graffiti has been removed from Morecambe Promenade walls, from some of the artwork on the front, and most recently and shockingly from the war memorial; Morecambe, Lancaster and District Labour Councillors have joined together to condemn these horrendous attempts to undermine the community unity.

Addressing the vandal directly after the War Memorial was desecrated, Labour councillors have united to write an open letter:

“We have not forgotten the sacrifices made by our parents, grandparents and great grandparents in the second world war. 180 men from Morecambe and Heysham are memorialised because they stood united against Nazis, fascists and racists, giving their lives so that everyone could live freely and without fear regardless of their skin colour, gender, class or who they love.

"You have disrespected their sacrifice; we will honour it by spreading our arms wider and embracing everyone in our community with ever more kindness and acceptance.

"You have sought to inspire division among us, but you have failed. Your threats, slurs and assaults on things in which we take pride have only inspired us toward greater unity.

“We are disgusted by your actions. On behalf of all local residents and to defend our community, we will press for the toughest sentencing against you.

“After many decades of being underappreciated, Morecambe is ready for a bright new future.

"The artworks you deface have brought hope, joy and colour to our town. We will not stand by while someone tries to drag this proud community into the past with these emblems and slogans of hate.

“Any form of prejudice that inspires hatred, vandalism, persecution and violence belongs in the last century, and will never be tolerated by the community of Morecambe, Lancaster and District.

“We would like to thank the public realm team at Lancaster City Council for taking swift action to remove the graffiti, and to reassure residents that your Councillors, Council Officers and the local police are taking these attacks on our community very seriously, and we hope that whoever is responsible can be brought to justice as soon as possible.”