SDLP Councillor Faces Racist Abuse and Death Threats After Historic Mayoral Selection

Sandra Seenoi-Barr, a councillor from Northern Ireland, has been subjected to a deluge of online racist abuse and death threats after being selected as the next mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. Seenoi-Barr, who is originally from Kenya, will become thefirst black mayorof Northern Ireland.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the persistent problem of online racism and hate speech, which can have serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole. It also underscores the need for political leaders and social media platforms to take concrete steps to combat online abuse and promote tolerance and inclusivity.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood stated that Seenoi-Barr has faced "an enormous deluge of abuse from around the world, right up to and including very serious death threats." Eastwood emphasized the importance of standing against online racism and abuse, saying, "It's important I think that all of us stand against that level of racism and show that this is a different kind of place and we will not be led into the gutter by far-right activists whether they're coming from America, Dublin, or Derry online."

The selection process of Seenoi-Barr as mayor has also caused internal discontent within the SDLP party ranks in Derry, with two councillors resigning over the issue amid claims it was undemocratic. Eastwood conceded that the party had lessons to learn about how it communicated its new policy on selecting mayoral candidates.

Despite the controversy, Eastwood praised Seenoi-Barr as a"phenomenal candidate"who is"extremely qualified and talented"to represent the SDLP and the people of Derry. He highlighted her historic moment as the first black mayor of Northern Ireland, saying,"That's the values of the SDLP, it's the values that are represented by the people of Derry that comes all the way from the civil rights movement, and we're very proud in this moment to have Lilian representing us and Lilian representing the people of Derry."

Seenoi-Barr's selection as the first black mayor of Northern Ireland marks a significant milestone. However, the racist abuse and death threats she has faced online underscore the ongoing challenges in combating racism and intolerance. As Eastwood stated, it is crucial for society to stand united against such hatred and show that Northern Ireland will not be dragged down by far-right extremism.

Key Takeaways

• Sandra Seenoi-Barr, a Kenyan-born councillor, faces online racist abuse and death threats after being selected as Northern Ireland's first black mayor.
• SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemns the abuse, emphasizing the need to stand against online racism and promote tolerance.
• Seenoi-Barr's selection sparks internal discontent within the SDLP party, with two councillors resigning over the issue.
• Eastwood praises Seenoi-Barr as a "phenomenal candidate" and highlights her historic moment as Northern Ireland's first black mayor.
• The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in combating racism and intolerance, emphasizing the need for society to stand united against hatred.