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Saturday, 29 April, 2000, 08:06 GMT 09:06 UK

Woman's bid to beat bigotry


Celtic and Rangers
A Scotswoman whose boyfriend was killed in a sectarian attack has teamed up with Celtic and Rangers football clubs in a bid to put an end to religious bigotry.

Cara Henderson was just 16 when Celtic fan Mark Scott was stabbed to death by a complete stranger as he walked home past a Rangers pub in Glasgow.

Now 21, the Oxford University student has founded a charitable trust in his memory which has the backing of both Old Firm clubs.



For some reason religious bigotry is accepted, it's what makes us a Glaswegian or West of Scotland, it's actually almost part of our identity
Cara Henderson

Nil By Mouth will be officially launched this summer by friends of Mark.

Ms Henderson tells BBC Scotland radio presenter Colin Bell of her plans for the campaign in his programme Colin In Conversation, being broadcast at 1600BST on Sunday.

She says she was prompted to take action after Rangers vice-chairman Donald Findlay QC was caught on video singing sectarian songs at a party to celebrate Rangers' Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic last year.

He was forced to resign his position at the club.

'So unfair'

Ms Henderson said: "It was the first time that bigotry and sectarianism was given a public hearing and I recognised that the climate was right for something to be done."

"For some reason religious bigotry is accepted, it's what makes us a Glaswegian or West of Scotland, it's actually almost part of our identity."

Donald Findlay singing
She said Mark was not interested in sectarianism at all and added: "It's tragic that it's him that should be a victim of it and it's so unfair."

Mark was knifed at random by Jason Campbell outside a Rangers pub as he walked past a group of Celtic supporters.

Ms Henderson said her attempts to stamp out sectarianism are to include a poster campaign around Glasgow designed to make people think about religious bigotry in society and the way their behaviour contributes to the problem.

There will also be a "social charter" for community action and a "Big Try" in which friends of Mark will walk the West Highland Way from Fort William to a public event in George Square, Glasgow.

She told the BBC: "We want to make people think before they speak about the attitudes they have and how they express them. We want to trigger debate."


Related to this story:
Composer attacks 'anti-Catholic bigots' (09 Aug 99 | Edinburgh Festival 99)
Brown denies bigotry claims (12 Jul 99 | UK)
Resignation in sectarian football row (31 May 99 | Scottish Premier)
The bitter divide (02 Jun 99 | UK)
Violent reminder of Glasgow sectarianism (21 Sep 99 | Scotland)
Protestant trust stirs sectarian debate (27 Jan 00 | Scotland)


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