'Racism can get tae...' - Powerful message written on busy Edinburgh road by anonymous artists

The artwork comes after activists stood together in Edinburgh over the weekend to support action against racism.

A group of six anonymous artists clubbed together to join in the nation’s support for action against racism by painting a bold message on one of the Capital’s busy main roads.

The artwork, which says “racism can get tae...” followed by a black fist, a popular symbol for the Black Lives Matter movement, was completed yesterday on wall in London Road.

One of the artists involved spoke to the Evening News about the group’s motif behind the anti-racism mural, which has ‘Scotland in solidarity’ written in small text next to it.

'Racism can get tae...' mural spotted in London Road, Edinburgh on Tuesday, June 9

“We all attended the protest in Holyrood Park on Sunday and wanted to follow up with a message to show our support in the movement against racism,” he said.

“We thought using a well-known Scottish phrase might help local residents connect with the anti-racism message.

“It’s an issue that’s still so ingrained in this country and we wanted to make people of all races feel welcome in this city by showing that we stand against racism.”

The group chose a wall in London Road due to the area being a common legal spot for street artists to paint.

The artwork stands out with its bold message written in bright colours reaching 25 metres long.

It’s certainly hard to miss for pedestrians and motorists passing by.

All six artists – a mix of illustrators, street artists and painters – collaborate regularly in the city to bring parts of Edinburgh to life with their artwork.

When asked about the graffiti on statues around the city memorialising figures linked to the slave trade, one of the artists said he did not think it was the best way to act in response to the Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend.

“At the demonstration I saw a woman give a speech about the statues in the city that have links to slavery,” he said.

“She said she had no desire for the monuments to be removed because that would be removing an important part of history that needs to be told.

“At first I completely sided with the people who wanted to tear them down and destroy them.

“But while I understand the anger, I do respect what that woman said and I can completely see it from her point of view because if they disappear, people could just forget that important part of history that needs to be told.”

The artist confirmed this recent mural is the first statement the group has made on issues surrounding racism in light of the Black Lives Matter protest.