Voices against racism
The “Lend your voice to fight against racism” campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage reflection on racism, since we can all be racist and harbour internalised prejudices, often without realising it. That’s why we’re also part of the solution when it comes to eradicating racism.
This campaign brings together activists and local organisations to demonstrate that the fight against racism is a collective commitment and rally all people around a common cause: the fight against racism.
Desirée Bela, writer
Desirée Bela-Lobedde, a writer, speaker, and Afrofeminist and antiracist activist, works to help individuals reflect on internalised prejudices and recognise discriminatory behaviours.
Ayoub El Hilali, actor
Ayoub El Hilali is a Barcelona-based actor of Moroccan origin who has played various roles in several popular TV series, such as La que se avecina, El príncipe and Madres, as well as in renowned films such as The Book of Exodus and Ocho apellidos marroquís, and plays such as Carrer robadors and Puertas abiertas. He speaks out about often being cast in stereotypical roles.
Paqui Perona, mediator
Paqui Perona is a mediator and Roma activist advocating for the rights of her people. She is the president of the Associació Veus Gitanes, which fights against the stereotyped representation of Roma women and their community.
Ramia Chaoui, communicator
Ramia Chaoui, based in Barcelona, holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Management and a master’s degree in Marketing and Sales. For over 10 years, she has been running the YouTube channel ramiaschannel as an activist for the rights of Muslims, especially Muslim women. It was one of the first channels in Spain run by a Muslim woman with the goal of combating Islamophobia.
Leyao Rovira, communicator
Leyao Rovira identifies as being of Asian descent, as she was adopted from China. She is the founder of the Instagram platform @nomellameschinita, where she raises awareness about issues related to adoption and racism against the Asian community. As a proponent of inclusive and empathetic feminism, she advocates for intersectionality and human rights.
Mercè Amor, trainer
Mercè Amor Sagués is an activist who has been committed to the Raval neighbourhood for the last 23 years and is one of the founding partners, and current chair, of the Associació Intercultural Diàlegs de Dona, a space offering a welcome and support for migrant women and helping them in their complex process of adapting to their new society.
Vignesh Melwani, singer
Barcelona-born Vignesh Melwani is a singer, performing artist, and cultural agitator of Indian heritage. He holds dual degrees in Humanities and Higher Music Studies and is currently completing a postgraduate degree in Performing Arts and Social Action. Influenced by his cultural background, he advocates for fusion in art, identity and culture.
Karlos Castilla, researcher
Karlos Castilla holds an undergraduate degree in law from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a doctorate in law from Pompeu Fabra University, where he is a professor and also serves as the research coordinator at the Catalan Institute for Human Rights. Karlos has been a member of the SOS Racism Council for over 10 years and has worked for Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Supreme Court of Justice. He specialises in international and constitutional law, immigrant rights, and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination.