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Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
25 years of Glasgow's fight against bigotry after shocking murder
The air is full of happy chatter, punctuated by the odd squeal of laughter when one of the balloons suddenly pops. Cara Henderson, founder of Glasgow's ground-breaking anti-sectarianism charity, is helping out. It says a lot about Nil by Mouth, and the quietly-spoken woman who created it in a maelstrom of grief and anger after the brutal murder of her friend, that this, rather than fanfare and fuss, is how they are marking their 25th anniversary. 'This is the heart of everything Nil by Mouth is trying to do,' explains Cara, simply. 'Engaging with young people, bringing people together in an inclusive, positive way… that's what it has always been about.' Cara with some of the young pupils (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) In 1995, 16-year-old Mark Scott, wearing his Celtic scarf, was stabbed as he walked home past a Rangers pub in Bridgeton. It was a shocking flashpoint in Glasgow's decades-long struggle against religious intolerance and bigotry-fuelled violence, and it stunned the country. Cara, then also just a teenager herself, was the first person to do something about it. Mark Scott (Image: Newsquest) She began campaigning in the media, telling her story at community events and lobbying politicians and policy makers. She launched a Charter for Change, which outlined a vision for challenging sectarian attitudes in Scotland, and won a Philip Lawrence Award for her work in empowering young people. Cara in 2002 (Image: Newsquest) Since then, the charity has helped change attitudes through its work in schools, workplaces and community groups. While she no longer lives in Glasgow, Cara remains honorary patron, and she visits often to lend her support. 'It is a milestone, 25 years,' agrees Cara, adding in surprise: 'That rolls off my tongue, and then I realise, wow, 25 years - that is quite something. 'I am proud of what the charity has achieved but I don't take any credit for the work being done today - the team is fantastic and they work really hard to engage with communities across the city.' Cara Henderson (Image: Newsquest) She has not forgotten the abuse levelled at her in the early days of her campaigning, but above all, she says, she remembers 'a lot of support.' 'I know there was a lot of 'how can she do this, she's just a teenager' but I remember so many people, willing to help, opening doors for me, because they believed in the cause,' she says, simply. 'Sadly, after what had happened to Mark, it was the 'right' time for Nil by Mouth to happen.' She adds: 'It was tremendously important. And it remains so.' (Image: Newsquest) Today, Cara has joined Nil by Mouth director Dave Scott at St Joseph's Primary in the East Renfrewshire town of Busby, a few miles south of Glasgow. Cara Henderson and Dave Scott (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) The school was targeted by vandals earlier this year, who reportedly set fires and sprayed abusive graffiti on the games pitch. Furious parents rallied support from local politicians, and First Minister John Swinney visited to talk to pupils and staff from St Joseph's and its neighbouring schools, primary and secondary. 'It was about presenting a united front,' says headteacher Suzanne Martin, calmly. 'We are all agreed there is no place for this in our school or our community or our society. "It was a huge shock, because our school is incredibly inclusive. Our children and the children from local non-denominational schools all live on the same streets, and play together.' Headteacher Suzanne Martin (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) She adds: 'When Nil by Mouth reached out to us, I was delighted to invite them in to run STEM workshops. It has been really interesting for the children.' The STEM kits, which have been provided through funds from BAE Systems, are used by Nil by Mouth in schools across the country as part of its programme bringing children from different faiths, cultures and traditions together to better understand difference. Primary six pals Sahtanu, Iain, Oonagh and Nabeeha are enjoying the workshop, they nod. They understand what Nil by Mouth is, and why they are visiting the school, says Sahtanu. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) 'We know that the charity was set up by someone whose friend was murdered, which is really sad,' he says. Iain adds: 'I think it's important that we learn about this from a young age because sometimes people are not as kind about other people's beliefs as they should be.' Oonagh agrees. 'I think it should be taught in school that you should listen to people and try and work together. Then when you are older, you can actually do something about it." READ NEXT: Glasgow's newest mural has the East End talking - here is why 'Townhead was obliterated': Billy Elliot star on his Glasgow roots 'We're so lucky to have the Citz': Free drama lessons as Glasgow theatre re-opens Nabeeha said: 'Finding graffiti in our school was very sad for all of us but it has been cleaned up now. 'I'm proud of our school. Everyone works together.' On this particular Friday, as Nil by Mouth continues its message of 'united against division', Glasgow is preparing for another tense weekend of Orange Walks and football street celebrations. Cara sighs, softly. 'You always hope for change,' she says. 'There is still a lot to be done, of course. 'Whatever it is - sectarianism, racism, bigotry - I think as humans, we just have to keep remembering to talk to each other, to see beyond the divisions.'
Miami Herald
07-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
After bankruptcy, retail chain liquidates stores, seeks buyer
A number of retailers have gone right to the brink of extinction and managed to find a way to keep operating at the last minute. Bed Bath & Beyond, for example, flirted with closing down many times before it actually happened. Even then, the retailer barely left the stage before it was purchased by and brought back in a digital-only form. Related: Iconic retail chain closing nearly 500 stores Over the past 12 months, multiple chains have filed for bankruptcy, reached a deal to survive, and then quickly fell back into bankruptcy. Party City and Joann, for example, both went down that path. The two chains survived a bankruptcy only to quickly file again and end up being liquidated. In other cases, a bankruptcy court judge decided that a buyout offer for a company, while not perfect, was better than allowing the chain to close. That happened to David's Bridal, which was about to liquidate when the ruling gave it a second life. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Big Lots, another chain that reached the liquidation phase, saw a buyer step in and rescue some stores. In that case, while the Big Lots name will survive, it's not the original company operating it. That situation was especially confusing because it was basically a full liquidation followed by a near-immediate reopening under the same name but with new owners. Hudson's Bay has deep roots in Canada and has taken an activist role in its home country. "In 2021, Hudson's Bay Foundation launched a $30 million commitment to creating a more equitable future for diverse communities across Canada. Hudson's Bay Foundation Charter for Change is our promise to help advance reconciliation and racial equity in Canada by changing how we invest and show up in communities," it shared on its website. The company, which has been operating since 1670 is the oldest continually operating retailer in the world. It began as a fur trading business and eventually morphed into a department store chain. More closings: Popular retail chain to close unprofitable store locationsBankrupt retail chain unloads store leases, key assetPopular discount retailer files bankruptcy, closes all stores Hudson's Bay filed the Canadian version of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. It has begun liquidation sales at its 80 owned-and-operated stores as well as its three licensed Saks Fifth Avenue and 13 Saks OFF 5TH stores in Canada. The chain had nearly 10,000 employees at the time of its filing. It also operates a website, which remains open during the liquidation. While it has begun the store liquidation process, Hudson's Bay does not intend to disappear without a fight. The chain has received court approval to seek a buyer or an investment in the company. "Hudson's Bay Company ULC, the Canadian entity comprising the retailer Hudson's Bay and is announcing the commencement of: a sale and investment solicitation process (the SISP), which was approved pursuant to an order granted by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the Court); and the commencement of a Court-approved lease monetization process (the Lease Monetization Process)," according to a press release. Related: Another auto supply chain closing most stores, no bankruptcy filed There's no guarantee that that process will be successful. "The SISP is intended to solicit interest in, and opportunities for: (a) one or more sales or partial sales of all, substantially all, or certain portions of the property, assets, and undertakings of the company and certain entities related to the company on a liquidation or going concern basis; and/or (b) an investment in, or refinancing of all or a portion of the business of the company and certain entities related to the company," the release continued. Interested parties have until April 30 to file a binding proposal. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
