National Assembly Against Racism News Archive

17/12/07

Anti-racists welcome 23 August - National Slavery Memorial Day
Welcoming the announcement by government that 23 August is adopted as the National Slavery Memorial Day, NAAR Executive Committee member Kofi Klu said: "This is a huge victory for the anti-racist movement…

14/12/07

Coalition speaks out against dishonest and damaging Policy Exchange report
The Coalition to Defend Freedom of Religious & Cultural Expression today spoke out following an investigation on Wednesday’s Newsnight programme, which called into doubt evidence used in the recent Policy Exchange report, "The Hijacking of British Islam".

12/12/07

Save ESOL campaign briefing
The Save ESOL campaign has released its latest briefing on the impact that cuts are having on students of ESOL courses.

11/12/07

Get your MP to support Sarika Singh
Get your MP to support EDM 530, calling on the immediate reinstatement of Sarika Singh.

27/11/07

The Henry Guterman MBE Memorial Lecture
Thursday, 29th November 2007, 7.15pm; Reception. 8.00pm Lecture.

21/11/07

Support Sarika Singh
NAAR is calling for support for Sarika Singh, who is being excluded from education for wearing a bangle that represents her beliefs.

20/11/07

Campaigners condemn Oxford Union's invitation to fascists
Student leaders and campaigners condemn Oxford Union's invitation to fascist speakers.

13/11/07

The search for common ground
The report, 'The search for common ground - Muslims, non-Muslims and the UK Media' was launched today by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

9/11/07

Black History Film Night: BBC Black Archives
6pm-9pm, Thursday 22nd November, Congress House, Great Russell St, London Free admission.

7/11/07

Coalition condemns exclusion of Sikh pupil for wearing religious bangle
The Coalition to Defend Religious and Cultural Expression is calling for the Aberdare Girls School in South Wales to reconsider its decision to exclude 14-year-old pupil Sarika Singh for wearing a small religious bangle.

22/10/07

Watson's white supremacy condemned
We share in the widespread condemnation of James Watson's racist assertions that has led to his suspension by his research institution and the cancellation of his book promotion tour in Britain.

12/10/07

Fascists have no place in Oxford
Unite Against Fascism has learnt that Oxford Union debating society has invited Fascist BNP leader Nick Griffin and convicted Holocaust denier David Irving to a debate on 'Freedom of Speech' on 26 November.

25/09/07

Labour Party Conference 2007 fringe meeting
Academics, MPs, trade unionists and campaigners join Doreen Lawrence OBE in defence of multiculturalism.

21/09/07

NAAR and UAF at Labour Party conference
NAAR and Unite Against Fascism are both holding fringe meetings at this year's Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

20/09/07

Coalition condemns the sacking of Heathrow catering worker
The Coalition to Defend Freedom of Religious and Cultural Expression has condemned the sacking of Heathrow catering worker Amrit Lalji for wearing a Hindu nose stud.

13/09/07

Day of action to defend free English classes for migrants
A national day of action to oppose cuts to free English classes for speakers of other languages is planned for Wednesday 19th September.

29/08/07

Nelson Mandela honoured with statue unveiling
Nelson Mandela was joined by Britain’s political leaders, anti-apartheid and anti-racism campaigners for the unveiling of a nine foot statue of the great South African leader in Parliament Square.

28/08/07

An apology for slavery at last
NAAR supports the Mayor of London’s apology for slavery for London, marking the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and joins him in calling for a national memorial day on 23rd August.

28/08/07

Celebrity Big Brother 2008 axed as racism proves unpopular
Channel 4 has confirmed that it is axing the 2008 series of Celebrity Big Brother and admitted that there is an "issue of supply and demand" which was making it harder to book celebrities.

28/08/07

NAAR condemns toy producers for ‘whitening up’ black BBC cartoon character
‘In the night garden’ is supposed to be a thoroughly modern interpretation of a nursery rhyme. Unfortunately the company the BBC has contracted to make its merchandise has decided to replace the only brown character with a white toned doll.

28/08/07

Nelson Mandela to attend unveiling of statue in Parliament Square
11am Parliament Square, London, Wednesday 29th August. After a 6-year relentless campaign, a statue of Nelson Mandela is finally to be placed on Parliament Square.

18/07/07

Statement on untrue reports suggesting that the Mayor plans to fund a mosque
A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority has issued the following statement in relation to false claims that the Mayor of London is planning to fund a new 'mega-mosque' in East London

17/07/07

80,000 people flocked to Finsbury Park for Rise Festival
80,000 people flocked to Finsbury Park on Sunday for London's biggest festival - Rise: London United Against Racism. Headliners Jamelia and Kelis joined a spectrum of performers and Londoners from all backgrounds to show their opposition to racism.

17/07/07

Rock Against Racism 30 Years Celebration @ Hackney Empire
LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM and RAR present… Celebrate Rock Against Racism - stop the BNP today, Hackney Empire, Mare St, Hackney London, 7pm-midnight, Thursday 19th July 2007.

17/07/07

Watchdogs criticise equality reform plans
Official equality watchdogs are in revolt against government reforms to discrimination laws, saying that they repudiate the findings of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and will "do enormous damage" to disabled people.

06/07/07

Impacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on the African economy
'Abolition of the slave trade bicentennial 2007 - Ignore no more' memorial lecture, Thursday 19 July

04/07/07

Volunteers needed music festival
Rise London United is a free music festival celebrating London's diversity and opposing racism. This year's headline acts on the main Rise stage include Jamelia, The Holloways, Kelis, Noisettes, Saint Etienne, K'Naan, Beardyman, Ska-talites.

03/07/07

Removal of asylum seekers to third countries, incompatible with ECHR law
High Court rules that the law on removals of asylum seekers to third countries is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights

29/06/07

World routes to anti-racism and diversity
Music and live performance reflecting capital's global connections at Rise: London United

29/06/07

Overseas Trained Teacher’s Emergency
Lobby for Justice – Support overseas trained teachers
Wednesday 11th July 5pm
Lobby Home Office, 2 Marsham St, SW1P 4DF

28/06/07

Fears raised about backward step for anti-discrimination law
MPs, legal experts, senior trade union representatives and leading figures representing a range of equality issues from disability and race to lesbian and gay rights, are taking part in a public debate at City Hall today…

27/06/07

ESOL conference
To prepare for the future of the campaign UCU will be holding an ESOL Conference that takes place on Friday 29 June 2007 at UCU Conference Centre, Kings Cross, London.

25/06/07

Festival steps up the fight against racism
KELIS, JAMELIA, ST ETIENNE, SWAY, NOISETTES, K'NAAN, SKATALITES, FRANKIE PAUL, BEARDYMAN, ASHLEY BEEDLE, JAZZIE B (SOUL II SOUL) on weekend line up

20/06/07

Equality in our lifetime?
The Single Equality Act we need
27 June 2007, 2pm to 5.30pm
City Hall, London

19/06/07

Regularisation of migrant workers - Westminster debate
Vigil at the House of Commons
Wednesday 20th June
7:45am- 9:00am

19/06/07

UK economy gains from migrant workers says TUC
The British economy is benefiting from the influx of migrant workers to the UK, reveals a TUC study 'The economics of migration' published today (Tuesday).

07/06/07

National anti-racism campaign welcomes removal of Big Brother racist
The National Assembly Against Racism this morning welcomed Channel 4’s refusal to tolerate overtly racist behaviour in the Big Brother house. The removal of Emily Parr for using a racially offensive word to another housemate is in marked contrast…

09/05/07

Fascism has no place in academic institutions
We oppose the Secretary of the University of Bath's decision to allow Nick Griffin, leader of the fascist British National Party to speak on campus.

09/05/07

'Find a campaign' launched
4WardEver (in conjunction with the Mikey Powell Campaign) has launched a new website as part of our commitment to build stronger networks for families and friends affected by deaths in custody, and other injustices.

12/04/07

No discipline for officers in Mikey Powell case
The IPCC has confirmed that none of the West Midlands police officers acquitted of criminal offences following the death of Michael Powell in police custody are to face disciplinary charges.

30/03/07

Ministers are deliberately making vulnerable asylum seekers destitute
A committee of MPs and peers claimed today that the government was inflicting unacceptable and inhuman treatment on asylum seekers.

21/03/07

Urgent Action - complain about publicity given to fascism in the media
1. Le Pen interviewed on Radio 4 Today program 16th March
2. 'Times on Sunday' article featuring the BNP 11th March

21/03/07

Why I am saying sorry for London's role in this horror
The state failure to issue an apology for a crime as monstrous as the slave trade diminishes Britain in the eyes of the world. By Ken Livingstone

08/03/07

Anti-racists warn of deep seated racism at the heart of the Tory Party
Following the resignation of shadow homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer MP, NAAR secretary Lee Jasper comments

28/02/07

TUC welcomes 'union can expel BNP member' judgement
The TUC has welcomed today’s decision by the European Court of Human Rights that unions can expel members of the far-right BNP, and that this is not incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

23/02/07

Mayor welcomes life sentence for racist tube gunman
Anti-fascists welcomed today's life sentence for John Laidlaw who waged a campaign of terror on London's tube network, attempting to murder three people in a series of shootings.

21/02/07

Commission on Integration and Cohesion turns reality on its head
The coverage of the government’s Commission on Integration and Cohesion interim statement published today indicates the Commission’s approach is ignoring overwhelming evidence and drawing dangerously wrong conclusions.

19/02/07

The rise of the BNP is a threat to democracy - so why is it being legitimised?
We have the opportunity to stop the BNP before it makes a major breakthrough, but it requires more serious attention, says Ken Livingstone.

14/02/07

Unions unite against fascism
Unions have always fought for freedom and equality, but the growth of the far right presents us all with a wake up call, UNISON deputy general Secretary Keith Sonnet will tell the Unite Against Fascism national conference this Saturday.

30/01/07

Cameron’s attack on Muslims and multiculturalism ‘dangerous’ and ‘out of touch’
Anti-racist campaigners and Black community representatives have slammed David Cameron’s attack on multiculturalism as blaming the victims of racism while failing to tackle the root causes of social division.

Archive 2007