We recognize the need for a people-driven process of creating a fairer, more just, and equitable society in Finland. We recognize the need to uphold Black-led voices in
activism in Finland addressing Anti-Blackness.
Become a member and join our network!
- Membership is open to Black and other people of color aged 18+.
- White allies interested in fighting racism and anti-blackness in Finland can also join.
- Membership is also open to Organizations and Associations.
- Individual annual membership fee: 20 euros.
- Organizations and Associations annual membership fee: 100 euros.
Vision and Mission
Purpose and Objectives
Our Work
Our Projects
African Anti-Racism Society Finland (AFARS) ry is a non-governmental organization founded in 2020 by a group of Black African activists and community organizers in Helsinki. AFARS inception stem from the massive black lives matter protest that erupted globally in the summer of 2020.
AFARS was formed as a call to action to organize a solidarity demonstration for the death of George Floyd at the Helsinki Police Station and to establish a platform for civic activism aimed at addressing ANTI-BLACKNESS and promoting racial equality, social inclusion, social justice and equity in Finland.We were inspired and called to action by the Black Lives Matter protest that erupted globally in 2020. BLM brought light to our own lived experiences of racism in Finland. BLM also contributed and influence a more open honest conversations on the issues of racism and institutional discrimination in Finland in a way that was unprecedented at all levels of society. BLM impact set the stage for our voices, our lived experiences in media and public discourse in Finland.
AFARS is a call to action movement founded and driven by John Lewis’s famous “good trouble” quote: “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble,,” often paired with, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something”. He encouraged nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, even if it meant breaking unjust laws to fight injustice of any form.
In Finland, Black people and people of African descent face racism and prejudice from other groups of color due to ANTI-BLACKNESS. As a result of this even in anti-racism platforms Black people are sometimes excluded or silenced in these platforms.
So, establishing AFARS was a necessary good trouble action to create a platform that would be free of Anti-Blackness and a place where we Black people and people of African descent can share their own perspective and lived experience of racism in Finland and use their expertise and activism to proffer solutions to the menace.
