MEDWAY CULTURE CLUB

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2020 :: RMTnews 20 J ust weeks after the unveiling of a plaque remembering NUR member Asquith Xavier in his adopted hometown of Chatham, a new memorial to him has been launched in the form of a club to share cultural knowledge and experience within the Medway towns. In 1966 Asquith was a guard with British Rail and played a key role in challenging the racist colour bars on BR and was part of a wider campaign that saw a massive change in the 1968 Race Relations Act. His grandchildren Jerome Xavier and his sister Camealia Xavier-Chihota are volunteers at the Medway Culture Club which was launched in early November. RMT Medway and District General Grades branch secretary Paul Dennis met up with them to hand over a cheque from the union for a kick start funding donation of £250. “Once I heard about the project, it seemed obvious that our branch and our union would help them get started because if we want to see real change in society, we first have to talk to each other, then listen to each other and accept each other equally,” Paul said. MEDWAY CULTURE CLUB Relatives of NUR anti-racist fighter Asquith Xavier launch new campaign to promote cultural understanding in Kent DONATION: RMT branch secretary Paul Dennis with Jerome and Camealia Xavier-Chihota