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Racism 'is more brazen', say new councillors

Green Party councillor Hazel Chu. Photo: Steve Humphreys Expand

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Green Party councillor Hazel Chu. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Green Party councillor Hazel Chu. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Green Party councillor Hazel Chu. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Philip Ryan Twitter Email

TWO newly elected councillors have called for urgent action on racism after being subjected to bigotry on the campaign trail.

The councillors have recounted how their intelligence was questioned and they were branded "paper Irish" while canvassing.

Poll topping Green Party councillor Hazel Chu also revealed she separately had to collect her brother from a hospital emergency department when he was the victim of a racist assault.

Ms Chu's mother, who was born in Hong Kong, was also racially abused and hit with an ashtray while working in a restaurant.

Speaking to Independent.ie's 'Floating Voter' podcast, the Dublin City councillor said: "The thing is with people being racially biased, it has always happened in Ireland so there is always an undercurrent there but what has happened in the last five years it is a lot more brazen."

Fine Gael councillor Yemi Adenuga described how voters asked her if she was "intelligent enough to run" for the council while she was canvassing for a position.

They told her she was taking Irish jobs by becoming a politician.

"The reality is you are seeing more and more of it because it is not dealt with," the Meath county councillor said.

The Nigerian-born councillor also discussed growing up in a polygamous home where her father had seven wives.

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