daily lives.

The call came during a ceremony to mark tomorrow's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Ken Spurling of the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE), opened the lunch-time ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

A 100-strong crowd heard how the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa -- a peaceful demonstration against apartheid where 69 were killed and more than 400 protesters were wounded -- sparked off international condemnation and led to the creation of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism six years later.

After reading the proclamation declaring March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Premier Pamela Gordon encouraged locals to rid all forms of racism in their daily dealings.

The ceremony also featured music by the Choirs of CedarBridge and Mount St.

Agnes and remarks from Ronald Lightbourne from Beyond Barriers, the Bahai's Dr. Fred Ming and Diversity graduate Joy Leman.

Canon James Francis, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, closed the ceremony.