CAMPAIGNERS in north Essex have praised supermarkets for standing together after racists targeted a Sainsbury’s Christmas advert featuring a black family.

BLM in the Stix, which stands against racism in rural areas, said the supermarkets had taken a huge step to support people of colour across the country.

It comes after nine major supermarkets ran their adverts back to back on prime time television with the hashtag #StandAgainstRacism.

Gurpreet Kaur, founder of BLM in the Stix, said: “Racism is still sadly rife in this country as the backlash to the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert shows.

"For not only them, but all UK supermarkets to come together and say ‘this is not right and we will speak up’ is a very big deal.

“Racism is an issue in cities but is often downplayed in the countryside. Journalist Jay Rayner created a race map which showed BAME people are much more likely to be the victim of racist assault in rural areas than in cities.

“We know in rural areas many people want to do something but aren’t always sure how to stand up to racism. That’s what BLM in the Stix is for – to create a network of white, anti-racist allies across the countryside to put an end to racism.

“Thanks to the UK’s supermarkets standing together, that message is only continuing to grow.”

BLM in the Stix’s first online event – Resilience and what’s next for rural anti-racism - is being held on Tuesday, December 8, from 5.30pm to 8pm.

Featuring experts and discussions with communities across the country, the event is free for anyone who wants to tackle racism locally and collectively support each other.

To get your free invite, email blminthestix@gmail.com