Cork city councillor hits out at 'dehumanising' racist abuse

Honore Kamegni, a Green Party councillor in Cork city, says recent online racist abuse levelled at him was “unpleasant and dehumanising". 

Mr Kamegni said he has been the subject of racist comments following posts on social media.

Mr Kamegni told The Echo that although he has decided to leave the social media platform X due to the abuse, he remains determined as ever in his political career.

Mr Kamegni said the abusive views are not reflective of Cork and represent only a small minority of people.

“These comments weren't just unpleasant, they were dehumanising. It had a real impact not just on me, but all of us who see it and recognise themselves in it, he said.

“It is not just about me, it is about other people and those who see themselves like me.

“Cork is not part of what is happening online. All of this hatred and all of these comments that have been online, they have nothing to do with the real people of Cork.

“I knocked on over 15,000 doors and spoke with thousands of people. They were very encouraging and supportive.

“I would say 99%, even more, they are not for that. That is not Cork, Cork is welcoming and it is a safe harbour. Cork is not part of what is happening online.” 

Mr Kamegni, from Cameroon, became the first black person to sit on Cork city council when elected in June 2024, and shortly afterwards was selected as deputy lord mayor.

He said he remains as determined as ever to serve the people of Cork. “I am still going to continue to do my work. I am not going to let those who elected me down. All of the comments and hatred, it is not going to deter me and it is not going to discourage me.

“I am a strong person and I am going to continue to work hard. I am going to continue to stand for the people who elected me.

“There is no way I am going to stop what I am doing. I was elected as a councillor by the people and I am not going to stop doing that.” 

Ted Tynan, a Workers' Party councillor, said there is no place in society for the racist abuse suffered by Mr Kamegni. 

“The Workers' Party unequivocally condemns the recent racist online abuse suffered by our friend and colleague councillor Honore Kamegni of the Green Party in Cork.

“The Workers' Party of Ireland maintains that racism, ethnic profiling, and hate speech against people of a different colour or culture has no place in society nor on any social media platform.”