activists and travellers...an ugly cause?
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Wednesday April 10, 2002 17:09
by RUAIRI
do you need to re-prioritise?
as the presidents signs a largely anti-traveller bill, Irish activists need to take a look inside themselves and their movements to assess priorities......
Whilst the Irish 'activist scene' has generally reved up 500%
over the last year (and necessarily so) - we seem to be forgetting/or at least de-prioritising
local issues in some cases. Whilst 'the new racism' is a scourge that needs to be tackled, the same ugly
mindset evolves from the attitudes towards travellers in this country. It is something that we need to think about, address and act on.
It's not a global glamour issue but local minds span global actions.
Just some food for thought as the president signs the largely anti-traveller bill
http://www.rte.ie/news/2002/0410/travellers.html
Shame on her!
Comments (5 of 5)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5I was talking to Tom Mc Cann of the Irish Traveller's Movement about this Bill and the occupation of the Russian Embassy's land on the Palestinian march on Saturday. There are and always have been links between settled and traveller activists, and the ITM is calling for solidarity in its campaigns against this Bill criminalising their culture in the next few weeks. The ITM, according to Tom, is planning a mass caravan camp, and it could go into the City Centre like the Caravan at the centre of the Derry Housing Action Campaign that kick started the Civil Rights Movement 34 years ago!
If the movement is serious about defending traveller rights, lets all phone and pledge our solidarity, and see what the ITM wants us to do.
Their phone number is 01 679 6577
fax 679 6578
and email itmtrav@indigo.ie
The Cork Peace Alliance had a meeting last night in the CAZ centre with representatives from the Traveller Visibility Group and Nasc (immigrant support group). The meeting was organised two weeks ago with the purpose of learning about rascism (and general exclusion from society) issues so that the CPA could help organise a well informed campaign. One of the ideas that resulted from the meeting was that there are issues of common concern (such as the act signed by McAleese today) and it was a good start to get solidarity amongst grassroots activist groups.
CPA is also organising a public meeting tomorrow (Thursday) evening with the Palestinian Delegate-General to Ireland, Ali Halimeh, at the Shandon Court Hotel 8pm.
For activists who may be having difficulty finding common cause with Irelands traveller population it should be remembered that this bill will also criminalise squatters, protest camps and hunt sabs going onto private lands.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I've read this draconian new law correctly it looks like that Picketers will also be criminalised?
Solidarity with the Travellers and all the oppressed!
John Crow is alive and well and lives in Ireland.
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