Hard-hitting pupil video aims to shed light on sectarianism

A short film created by school pupils aims to make clear the recurring cycle of Scotland’s sectarian problem and show the possible outcomes for those involved.

The five-minute film, created by North Lanarkshire secondary school pupils, titled ‘Them and Us’ features a boy being put under peer pressure to avenge a sectarian attack on his girlfriend. He sets fire to the door of a house, not realising that there were occupants inside and is imprisoned for murder.

The film was written and produced by secondary schoolchildren in North Lanarkshire from Bellshill Academy and Cardinal Newman High School.

The five minute film was launched today by First Minister Alex Salmond and the Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC.

The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, congratulated the school pupils and staff for their hard work in writing, filming and creating the film.

“Scotland’s prosecutors operate a zero tolerance of crimes motivated by hatred and bigotry and those committing such offences will be arrested and prosecuted. However I firmly believe that prosecution is a blunt tool. It is vital that we speak to communities and young people to listen to their experiences of sectarianism and use these to help educate others about the corrosive nature of bigotry and intolerance.

“It is unacceptable that victims are targeted solely because of their personal identity, their actual or perceived racial or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Everyone in Scotland has a part to play in addressing all crimes of intolerance and hatred of whatever kind.

“I urge young people to challenge intolerance, even if you hear it from your parents or grandparents; know your own mind and tell them this is your Scotland too and you want it to be one where sectarianism and bigotry are a thing of the past.”