New wreaths have been laid at Alexandra Gardens after the previous ones were dumped on a bin
The previous wreaths were removed and dumped on top of a bin last month
New wreaths have been re-laid at Alexandra Gardens to honour black and ethnic minority soldiers are the previous ones were dumped on a bin.
Race Council Cymru and Windrush Cymru Elders representative Roma Taylor and Major Peter Harrison of the British Armed Forces were joined by councillor Huw Thomas at a short, socially distanced ceremony Alexandra Gardens last week to lay new wreaths.
The previous wreaths had been laid at a plaque in the Welsh National War Memorial in Cathays Park but were removed and dumped on top of a bin last month in what has been described as a "hate-related incident".
Judge Ray Singh CBE, chairman of Race Council, Cymru said: "Our elder will be standing together with Cardiff Council and the British Armed Forces to lay new wreaths to ensure that Wales-based Commonwealth servicemen and women, who died in the wars are commemorated and their services recognised and honoured in a befitting manner.
"We thank Cardiff Council for their support and to all those who served and serve our nation in Wales, We Remember You."
We are shocked, horrified & distressed that our tributes to Ethnic Minority Servicemen and Women were picked up by someone and placed on the bin! Our Commonwealth veterans who we honour should be respected and this is not respect! #ShameonthePerpertrator/s#DidYouSeeWhoDidThis? pic.twitter.com/DNJqePiYJg
— Race Council Cymru (@rcccymru) January 20, 2021
Cllr Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff council, added: "After the upset caused last week by the image of discarded Poppy Wreaths, I was honoured to join representatives from Race Council Cymru and the Armed Forces today to lay new wreaths at the two Memorials in Alexandra Gardens.
"I am pleased the original wreaths have been replaced so quickly, and we will secure them now against damage by weather.
"I very much look forward to the time later this year where we can hopefully all come together in a new ceremony that Cardiff Council and Race Council Cymru will jointly host, to give thanks and remember the service and sacrifice of black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority service personnel."
The monument was installed in 2019 to commemorate the contribution of black, Asian and ethnic minority service personnel who served during the first and second world wars.
It came after a lifelong campaign from the late Patti Flynn, whose father and brothers were lost in the war, and a monument which Patti saw revealed in her home city during the opening ceremony.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on social media or 101 quoting reference number 2100022704.
