Anti Racist Network

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Thursday October 16, 2003 00:38

by Davy Carlin - W/Belfast SWP

carlindavid at hotmail dot com

Second meeting - Report

The second meeting of the Anti Racist Network was held in Belfast

The second meeting of the Anti Racist Network was held in Belfast in the N.I Chinese Welfare Association rooms. Those represented,

Political parties - Alliance Party, Sinn Fein, Socialist Workers Party, Women's Coaltion.

Ehnic Minority support groups - N. Ieland Council for Ethnic Minorities, N .Ireland Chinese Welfare Association, N. Ireland Islamic Association, Multi Cultural Resource Centre with the Traveller support group sending their apoligies but are keen for involvement.

There were various law firms and others who deal in Asylum law etc present.

Trade unionists including representation from the Belfast Trade council in attendance.

Young anti war and anti capitalist activists including Globalise Resistance amongst others were also in attendance.

OUTCOME

A statement is to be drawn up ASAP {next twelve hours} and circulated for endorsement - this against the disgusting and racist language used recently by a Ulster Unionist councillor. This to be printed in the media in time for the upcoming UU conference. The solicitors present are to also look into what possible action which can be taken against his statements.

Ethnic Minority organisations along with solicitors are to establish a monitoring committee to monitor and log racist attacks around the North and are in contact with those ethnic minority groups in Craigavon.

The mapping committee gave a report back and is to continue its work.

The Network is to reach out to others to become involved which will be made easier as the publicity team gets to work.

It was agreed that the Anti Racist Network's formal launch shall take place in three weeks. A number of political parties are to work on the publicity and practicalities of this.

It was agreed that the Anti racist Network while being involved at different levels in different ways - its primary function though is as a visual campaigning Network.

With that, several different organisations have established a committee to look to hold a Rock against Racism concert and Rally at Belfast city hall in December, just before Xmas.

The meetings are to be rotated and facilated by the different organisations - this after the next meeting.

Those whom wish to get involved in the Network or want futher info can E - Mail me as above. Davy Carlin

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Comments (17 of 17)

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anti racism network

by sean

Thu Oct 16, 2003 01:15

Could you tell me what the racist comment made by the Unionist councillor was?

i don't know

by Sammy Wilson Says

Thu Oct 16, 2003 01:38

but i'd imagine it was something along the lines of 'we don't want no stinking mosques round these here parts y'hear, putting up with fenians is one thing, but al-qeada terrorists are another thing altogether - they're not white for a start'

(note humour)

In reply

Thu Oct 16, 2003 10:13

Not far wrong

He talked about Muslim 's as persons strapping bombs to the waists, as people who murder their own children, as an evil toward Christianity etc etc etc. I suppose you get the idea This could be the first case of Incitement to hatred {or something like it, as the Solicitors were citing the laws he could be taken under, in N .Ireland if pressed ahead, and it seems it may very well be.

Secondly it is tactically a three prone approach - apart from this first avenue a statement then calling for action against him endorsed by various groups to go into press - We have only a few hours today although the list will be reprinted again, if persons wish a copy of the statement to sign and endorse contact me as above. Thirdly mobilisation against such statements and atacks is to be organised as above with a rally and concert against racism, given people an opportunity to show their anger at such.

PS much ongoing - as above their is a strike tomorrow and activists will also be mobilising in solidarity with our colleagues and comrades. Last night also seen other meetings including the BAWM whom I believe {who supported by other organisations} are to mobilise against the coming of the Britsh war mongerer Tim Collins who is coming to Queens University in Nov, also i think they are organising a day of direct actions, and are to mobilise for Bushes visit to London, I think GR also met last night also to discuss mobilisation for the ESF amongst other issues. So at least three activists meetings in the one night, much on going in Belfast

Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:57

thanks. Can you tell us who the councillor in question is and whether an audio recording was made of the comments. If he's question about the comments he could simply decide to backtrack.

In Reply

Thu Oct 16, 2003 16:09

We have it all taped, recorded and packaged, millions seen it. It went out on bbc1, bbc newsline and bbc2 newsnight all on the same night, with the interviews being conducted by an attendee of our first meeting.

I wasn't that far off was I?

Considering it was a stab in the dark.

P.S

Thu Oct 16, 2003 16:16

Sorry the councillor's is an Ulster Unionist and his name is - Fred {Jim?} Crowe.

Various

by avi H.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 17:17

1) I noticed that none of the ethnic groups mentioned at the start of this article relates to Jews, although there are Jews living in Belfast. Why is this?

2) It is surely fair comment and not racist to accurately and moderately report invidious practices pecular to Muslim countries, such as suicide bombings, anti-semitic ravings in public and in government-sponsored media (All Arab countries), murder of and discrimination against Jews and other minorities (Most Arab countries), murder of children for political motives (West Bank), murder of women as an alternative to divorce (e.g. Pakistan), honour killings of women (West Bank, Pakistan), slavery (Mauritania) etc. etc.

Last go

by Davy Carlin

Thu Oct 16, 2003 17:59

Send me a copy of your address and I will send you a copy of his moderate language.

anti -racism

Thu Oct 16, 2003 20:01

yes, I've heard about Crowe. I thought it may have been something more recent. Trimble , of course , has said nothing on this and I know for a fact through the Craigavon Travellers group that Trimble himself has adpoted a derisory and I would say racist attitude towards Travellers living in his constituency. Still, the fact of the matter is that many unionists hold a racist attitude towards Irish people and unionism must start to deal with this and the deep harm it causes in society.

Avi -

by The Insider

The fact that you're willing to back up a member of the DUP in their racist rantings says a lot about you.

The words "beam" and "eye" come to mind.

family leave home after racist attack

Thu Oct 16, 2003 21:10

the words of councillors like Crowe fuel attacks on Muslims. They have a responsibity to use language carefully and to show respect for the beliefs of others. Sadly, these people all too often do not accept any link between their inflammatory words and attacks on the lives and property of people.Last night another Muslim family was forced to leave their home in the Craigavon area after another racist attack. If Crowe had any Christian decency, incredibly he claims to be a bible believing Christian,
he would apologise for his disgraceful comments and show solidarity with the hurt and pain suffered by Muslims in that area.This is the latest incident in a long litany of abuse and attacks against this community in that area. Not many years ago the local mosque was burned down.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3198316.stm

Final Call for the initial stand.

Thu Oct 16, 2003 23:38

His comments are very recent. The Anti Racist Network meeting held last night agreed to contact groups, parties and organisations to send a statement to the press on this matter. At the minute in the space of one day we have five parties, several trades union councils, various trade unions, the major ethnic minority communities, human rights organisations and many others already signing up to the statement - this in a day.

Of course many other organisations etc will have to take it to their committees etc but within a day a very impressive list has being established. We have until 1pm to make the press - for the upcoming Ulster Unionist conference - calling for his resignation. Scores upon scores of other organisations I have no doubt will sign up and are to get back to us but time does not permitt for this first publication. There will be a second publication but I urge all those whom want to to take a stand against this racism and make the first publication contact me as above by 1pm tomorrow.

anti-racism network

Fri Oct 17, 2003 00:12

sorry ,but comments were made by the said councillor in January this year as I'm sure you're aware. How recent are we talking? Why not put the statement on Indymedia.You weren't sure of the councillor's name. It is Fred Crowe by the way.

I didn't hear the councillor's actual words

Fri Oct 17, 2003 00:26

Therefore, as a general proposition, if anyone is going to make accusations of racism, etc., they should base these on verbatim quotations. That way, everyone can see the relevant evidence. Otherwise, it's just hearsay, and any ensuing debate is about as useful as one between drunks in a bar.

A reply to a colleague.

Fri Oct 17, 2003 00:34

Sorry Sean firstly his comments were on T.V last week. Secondly I was being sarcastic when I put 'Jim Crowe' as opposed to 'Fred Crowe' - as the Jim Crowe laws or that situation in respect to segregation are now infamous or famous in respect to our annals and history - in relation to race and racism.

Hope this clears this up my friend.

anti racist network

Fri Oct 17, 2003 01:08

thanks Davy. I've obviously been sleeping in recently.

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Comments (17 of 17)