Campaign Against Racism Group (CARG) is made up of several individuals from different backgrounds, we've caught up with Alex Yip, a Birmingham City Councillor, who was first elected in 2015 and is currently the Shadow Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities on why he decided to get involved with CARG.
Why did you decide to get involved with CARG?
I am proud to be a founding member of CARG. Amid the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a troubling surge in hate crimes targeting individuals of ASEAN heritage solely due to their appearance, unfairly associated with an international outbreak thousands of miles away. We heard distressing accounts of elderly women, and children, including individuals from Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, being subjected to derogatory comments like "F*uck off back to China" or being unfairly blamed for the pandemic due to the colour of their skin. It was heartbreaking, which prompted me to take a stand against hate crime.
What do you hope to achieve or see with CARG?
As a Birmingham City Councillor, I have been advocating for the Chinese community in Birmingham for a considerable period, proudly representing my Hong Kong heritage.
I have been actively promoting the city's hate crime strategy. My role as a Birmingham Magistrate has made me consistently concerned about matters of law, the roots of intolerance, and abuse. I am committed to collaborating with groups and organizations dedicated to nurturing empathy, fostering understanding, and embracing diverse perspectives.
I envision CARG as a platform for like-minded groups to come together, advocating for positive change and encouraging tolerance, initially focusing on the core cities across Britain and eventually extending our reach beyond.
What do you like to do in your spare time? (outside of CARG activities)
Apart from my involvement in CARG, I serve as a Birmingham City Councillor. I have dedicated 15 years of my life as a school governor and another 13 years as a local Magistrate.
Additionally, I hold the role of trustee in several charitable organisations. As a proud father of two, I firmly believe in leading by example and empowering others to realize their full potential.