Anti-Racist Network Updates

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Thursday July 01, 2004 14:27

by Davy Carlin

Below is an update of ARN activity over the last week or so. I have been up to my eyes lately, as well as taking some time out to do some writing which will be put on various sites {Including Indymedia shortly}.

Have briefly trawled through Indymedia and seen some interesting debates such as the one on the Elections , Respect, SEA etc. Will take time out today to read such interesting articles in depth.

Here is an update of ARN activity in the last week or two.

The picket at the Immigration office at Belfast International Airport was well attended by various organisations. It also got good coverage on the evening news. Those in attendance included Amnesty International representatives from various branches, the Refugee Action Group, the Anti Racism Network, Multi Cultural Resource Centre, UNISON, Asylum Practitioners and human rights solicitors, the Chinese Welfare Association, and tools for Solidarity amongst others. The 'Passport' leaflets we produced are excellent and can be used at other events.

The North Antrim branch of the ARN also held a day long event and details will follow .

After very successful Anti Racism gigs we are now to host our first Love Music Hate Racism Gig {LMHR -}. The first one is to be in the Empire in South Belfast in early August. A member of the Band - Stiff Little Fingers - {we all remember them} are to work on this with the ARN to kick of the LMHR gigs. After this a steering Group made up of local and leading promoters, artists and persons experienced in organising such events {whom we have met } along with the ARN will co ordinate LMHR gigs all around N. Ireland with local bands to the fore front. We have also discussed amongst other things putting into concrete larger open air gigs next summer. The short term priority though is to begin to host regular gigs around the North.

A poster campaign is to be launched soon by one of the local Belfast ARN branches - details to follow

Tomorrow Thursday July 1st at West Belfast Beechmount Ave Falls rd (Near Oakman St/ST Roses School) @ 3.00pm, an Anti Racism mural against racist attacks shall be unveiled; it is also to represent opposition to attacks on the emergency services. It was done by young people who live in the area and are looking for people to come and attended the event. This is an excellent initiative by the local youth of the area.

The ARN are to hold a number of meetings in the time ahead to continue to establish new groups, { we have now established several active groups in areas that have seen the most overt attacks outside Belfast - from Dungannon to Ballymena} again those who wish to establish a local support network within their communities contact us on antiracism_ni@hotmail.com . Regards, D