Belfast Anti Racist Meeting

national | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis Wednesday August 20, 2003 11:50 by Davy Carlin - W/Belfast SWP W Belfast 07974 632485

They are begining to organise we need to do also

Could we see co -ordinated, active and visual actions in Belfast and hopefully the North against the growing racist attacks on ethnic minorities. Apart from the attacks on ethnic minorites threats and attacks are starting to happen on activists opposing racism and these newly formed racist parties in the North. We need a united stance against this.

After a meeting held in the multi cultural resource centre yesterday in Belfast in relation to the rise in racist attacks a number of firm proposals where carried. Those in attendance included ethnic minority group representation, human rights groups, solidarity campaigns, left parties, lawyers and practitioners for Asylum seekers, etc.

One of the proposals was to convene a meeting a few weeks from now in the multi cultural resource centre for those groups interested in seeking to bring together those within their communites, workplaces, Colleges etc who would be prepared to take an active and visual stand against the growing intimidation and targeting of ethnic minorities.

With the rise of attacks on ethnic minorities we have seen politicans and at times civic leaders condemn such attacks, we have also seen ethnic minority support groups lending vital support on the ground to such persons. What is also needed now is co -ordinated, active and visual action within those communities and elsewhere against this.

This is one part of an over arching strategy. Other organisation put forward a proposal for an initial symbolic gesture at city hall. This was one of the main reasons that the meeting was called, the proposal put forward by Amnesty International is to be taken to a meeting to be held in the City hall shortly.

So while various different strategies from differing groups are being embarked on, all where agreed to be supported by eachothers groups and organisations. So for those organistions which may wish to partake in the intial meeting to see if a co -ordinated activist and visual strategy within communities can materialise they can contact me at the above number or via E -Mail address.

I will also be approaching various groups whom may be interested and I will also let people know of concrete details nearer the time. It was raised also as that many of the recent attacks have been carried out within 'loyalist' working class areas that working class community representation from such areas should be keenly sought. So all those whom which to partake in the initial meeting again contact me as above. Davy Carlin - Agreed Interim Co-ordinater