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The
Anti Racist Network (ARN) has drawn up a statement
for endorsement, as printed below.
Background
- The ARN has held two meetings to date with its formal
launch to be held in a few weeks. Those two meetings
have seen representatives from the Alliance Party,
Sinn Fein, Socialist Workers Party and the Women's
coalition in attendance, Organisations such as the
N.Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, the Chinese
Welfare Association, the Belfast Islamic Centre, the
Multi Cultural Resource Centre, the Belfast Traveller
Support Group and the Black Youth Network have also
attended. They have been joined by trade unionists
and representatives from the Trades Union Councils.
Also human rights organisations, law firms, Asylum
practitioners, student groups, NGO’s, and young
anti globalisation activists amongst others have attended
the first two meetings.
One
long term minority ethnic worker said that it was
the first time that she had seen all the different
groups come together like this and it was brilliant,
as together we now have a stronger voice.
A
decision then was taken at the second meeting to draw
up this statement before the Ulster Unionist conference.
Although this gave us only twenty four hours or so
we never the less thought it important to do and collectively
have produced an impressive list as below.
The
ARN Statement
We the undersigned wish to register our horror at
the recent comments of Craigavon Councillor Fred Crowe,
which we believe to be deeply racist and provocative
in nature.
In
an area where eight families have been forced to move
after suffering racist attacks, Mr Crowe’s remarks
are a disgrace. They will only serve to increase the
suffering of the minority ethnic population in Craigavon
and across the whole of Northern Ireland. His comments
are not just an insult to the minority ethnic population
but also an insult to the vast majority of people
in Northern Ireland who find racism abhorrent.
To
be clearly seen on Monday evening’s BBC report
trying to convince young people that they should view
Muslims as people who bomb the USA and kill their
daughters for marrying Christians is a clear and chilling
attempt to stoke up racial tension.
We
call on the leaders of all the main churches and political
parties to immediately issue statements condemning
Mr Crowe’s remarks.
We
also call on the Ulster Unionist Party to use their
party conference this weekend to completely distance
themselves from Mr Crowe’s remarks and to expel
him from the party. This would send a clear and positive
message out to everyone in Northern Ireland that racism
will not be tolerated.
The
list below is continually being updated as others
sign up to the statement.
Jeremy
Hardy - Comedian
Patrick Yu - N. Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities
Chinese Welfare Association
The Belfast Islamic Centre
Islamic Students Association of N. Ireland
The Belfast Indian Community Centre
Paul Noonan Director, Belfast Travellers Education
and Development Group
Belfast Travellers Support Group
Multi Cultural Resource Centre
Chinese Community Association, Craigavon
Mel Corry, Craigavon Trades Union Council
The One World Centre
Marian Farrell - The Welcome Committee Derry
All the staff of P Drinan Solicitor
The Pat Finucane Centre
Brenda Torley - Co-ordinator - The Centre for the
Promotion of Civil, Political and Human Rights
Ronan Lavery Barrister at Law (PC)
Finbar Lavery Barrister at Law (PC)
David O Sullivan Barrister at Law (PC)
Mark Mc Avoy Barrister at Law (PC)
West Belfast Economic Forum
Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Democratic Dialogue
Stephen Alexander – Alliance Party
John Barry, Green Party
I.R.S.P
Daithi McKay – Sinn Fein
Socialist Environmental Alliance
Barbara Muldoon, Socialist Workers Party
Belfast Trades Union Council
Damien Wall, Chair Derry Trades Union Council
E McCann, Vice Chair Derry Trades Union Council
and Journalist
Strabane Trades Union Council
Jim Quinn - FBU Chairperson NI Region
Jim Barbour - FBU Executive
Brian Campfield - President Belfast Trades Union
Council
John McCloskey - Nipsa Section Secretary
Peter McGarrigle - Secretary Nipsa Branch 8
Ryan McKinney - Chairperson Nipsa Branch 8 &
Belfast Trades Union Council
Louise McMillen - Nipsa union rep
Brian Stewart - Nipsa union rep
Maria Morgan Nipsa Officer
Pat Torley - TGWU Union Rep
Brian Crawford – Secretary Nipsa Branch 6
Valery Guiney – Multi-Cultural Resource Centre
(PC)
Dr Dara O’Hagan MLA
Sean McAughey – Volunteer Co- Ordinator Mornington
Community Project
Breandan MacCionnaith – Chairperson Drumcree
Community Trust
Paddy Murray -Chair Rathenraw Community Association
Shane O Curry - School of Law Magee
Tools for solidarity
Michael Goodman – Lower Ormeau Residents Action
Group
Councillor John O’Dowd
Councillor Maurice Magill
Councillor Brian McKeown
Councillor Francie Murray
Falls Women’s Centre
Emily Kawano
Sara Boyce
And hundreds of other individuals.
The
Irish Congress of Trade Unions Statement also released
a press release on the same day adding their voice
against the bigots:
P
R E S S R E L E A S E
Date:
17 October 2003
Congress
of Trade Unions Condemns Racist Attacks in Craigavon
The
Irish Congress of Trade Unions today added its voice
to the condemnation of racist attacks on the Muslim
Community in Craigavon area.
Commenting
on these scandalous attacks, Peter Bunting, Assistant
General Secretary, said:
'The
whole trade union movement is appalled at these vicious
racist attacks on the Muslim Community in Craigavon.
As we seek to build a progressive and inclusive society-
the actions of these bigots must be condemned.
All
of our people, regardless of race or religion should
be free to worship as they please and to celebrate
their religious convictions free from threat and fear.
It is essential that all of our politicians support
this essential human right. Congress would encourage
politicians to show a progressive lead in this area.
We have no need for those who support racist acts.
There is no room for them in Craigavon or anywhere
else in Northern Ireland.
The
list is continually being updated as others sign up
to the statement. It is also being circulated around
other trade unions and student organisations. If anyone
knows of other organisations that would be interested
in signing it, pass it on. I can be contacted at carlindavid@hotmail.com
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