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Archive 2005

Archive 2007
Archive 2006
Archive 2004
Archive 2003

14/12/05 Wide support 19-year-old asylum seeker’s appeal for right to stay Flores Sukula, a 19 year old student from Bolton 6th form college today appealed to Immigration Minister Tony McNulty this Tuesday morning in a plea for compassionate leave to remain.

07/12/05 New Equality Commission will set back the fight against race discrimination Leading groups from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, along with those representing disabled people and others, have expressed their fears about the Government's plans to abolish the CRE.

28/11/05 Equality in our lifetime? The Mayor of London, 1990 Trust, National Assembly Against Racism, OBV and Black Londoners Forum are supporting measures which will ensure equality in the proposed Equality Bill, which proposes to end the CRE. SIGN THE STATEMENT!

24/11/05 Paris, London and Equality Lee Jasper comments on the events of the last two weeks in France, which stand out as a powerful statement that only by recognising the reality of racism can inclusive societies be fully developed.

23/11/05 Stop the fascist BNP in Thurrock DAY OF ACTION: SUNDAY 27 NOVEMBER, 11am, MEET AT GRAYS RAIL STATION (FENCHURCH STREET LINE). Thurrock Unite Against Fascism are calling on all local and London supporters to help leaflet against the BNP.

04/11/05 Birmingham statement During this very difficult time in which two young men have already lost their lives, what is needed from African, Caribbean, Muslim and other Asian communities is solidarity and responsible leadership in the face of problems which affect us all.

03/11/05 Home Office loses appeal on Section 55 Major victory against destitution of asylum seekers - the Law Lords have dismissed the Home Office appeal in the case of three asylum seekers who have been affected by the infamous Section 55.

02/11/05 Lobby Parliament on the 2005 Terrorism Bill 1-6pm Wednesday 9th November. The new Terrorism Bill will allow the police to hold you for 90 days without charge; allow the Government to ban non-violent organisations; make it illegal to call for the overthrow of dictatorships; and more.

01/11/05 Review of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association has prepared a summary review of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, as it reaches the end of its committee stage in parliament.

31/10/05 Briefing on the impact of ID cards on BME communities This briefing paper is aimed to highlight National Assembly Against Racism’s concerns about the implications of the ID Cards Bill on Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Britain. NAAR notes the growth of concern about the impact this scheme…

28/10/05 BNP demonstration in Keighley banned The Home Secretary signed the banning order for the BNP's proposed national demonstration in Keighley on 5 November. Therefore the BNP was forced to call off their demonstration.

25/10/05 Police ask for ban on BNP demo in Keighley The UAF has been campaigning for the 5th November national demonstration called by the BNP in Keighley, Yorkshire, to be banned. The UAF has also called for a peaceful anti-fascist counter demonstration if the BNP march takes place. We have now received..

17/10/05 Young asylum seeker to speak at parliamentary meeting Monday 17th October 2005, 7pm, Committee Room 11, House of Commons, St Stephens Entrance. Flores Sukula, a student at Bolton 6th form college, is to address a parliamentary meeting organised by NAAR.

13/10/05 Cross party coalition says no consensus on anti-terror law On the day the government published its anti-terrorism bill, a broad cross-party coalition met to challenge a number of the government’s proposals.

13/10/05 Demonstrate against the fascist BNP in Leeds on 2nd Nov & in Keighley 5th Nov Nick Griffin and Mark Collett's incitement to racial hatred trial - 2 November; BNP national demonstration in Keighley - 5 November

12/10/05 Cross party coalition says no consensus on anti-terror law On the day the government publishes its anti-terrorism bill, a broad cross-party coalition will be meeting to challenge a number of the government’s proposals.

11/10/05 Parliamentary briefing on the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Bill 2005 Monday 17th October 2005, 7pm, House of Commons. This public meeting is aimed at briefing MPs and Peers on the implications of the new Bill, sixth piece of legislation on immigration and asylum since 1992.

10/10/05 Tell It Like It Is - book launch A new book, 'Tell It Like It Is – How Our Schools Fail Black Children', edited by Brian Richardson with a foreword by Doreen Lawrence, is launched.

06/10/05 Broad coalition challenges some of proposed anti-terror laws Public meeting – uniting communities defeating terrorism, Wednesday 12 October 2005, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Central Westminster Hall, Storey's Gate, London SW1H 9NH

05/10/05 'It is deeply offensive to use the term 'coloured' Anti-racist campaigners reply to Trevor Phillips - The latest comments by the Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality at the Conservative Party conference caused anger and dismay amongst anti-racist campaigners.

02/10/05 The 'Don't trigger' EP launched Don't trigger EP launched, with all proceeds going to initiatives tackling gun crime.

28/09/05 Only united communities will defeat terrorism and protect civil liberties Public discussion meeting: 12 October 2005, Central Hall Westminster 6.30-9pm. Speakers include Ken Livingstone, Shami Chakrabarti, Mark Oaten MP, Alex Salmond MP, Frank Dobson MP, Sadiq Khan MP, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Rt Rev Colin Bennetts, & Amrik Singh.

27/09/05 Stop the BNP in 2006 - UAF national conference The UAF is holding a national conference on Saturday 5 November 2005, 9.30am-5pm, to discuss why the BNP's vote has grown, the effective strategies in stopping the BNP and to bring together the different sections of the anti-fascist movement.

22/09/05 SERTUC Black History Month 4 – 7pm, 7 October 2005, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London: A keynote lecture by Willie Madisha, President - COSATU

16/09/05 Children are being used as asylum tools A CHILDREN'S rights campaigner has condemned the Government's controversial policy on asylum seekers, after meeting a Bolton family facing deportation.

15/09/05 'Unity against the BNP' is the message at UAF fringe at the TUC A fringe meeting with Ken Livingstone, Barry Camfield TGWU, Keith Sonnett UNISON, Sue Bond PCS, Lee Jasper NAAR, Weyman Bennett and Sabby Dhalu UAF joint secretaries took place at this year's TUC.

06/09/05 Who shot the sheriff? - The RAR/LMHR documentary film London premiere: THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2005, THE SCALA, LONDON. Love Music Hate Racism, Amicus, and Metropolis presents "Who Shot the Sheriff". The London premiere of Alan Miles’ Rock Against Racism documentary, featuring live performances from HARD-FI.

30/08/05 Only united communities will defeat terrorism and protect civil liberties NAAR, the Mayor of London, Liberty, the main Muslim and Sikh organisations, MPs, trade unionists and lawyers have launched a campaign to ensure that any anti-terrorism measures do not criminalise people who condemn attacks like the ones on 7 July.

29/08/05 3,000 attend Anthony Walker's funeral The funeral of Anthony Walker, who was murdered in a horrific racist attack in Huyton, Liverpool on 30th July 2005 took place on 25th August at Liverpool Cathedral. The funeral was attended by over 3,000 people.

26/08/05 Stop the NF this weekend OPPOSE THE NATIONAL FRONT, DEFEND MANCHESTER PRIDE - Assemble from 12.30, Saturday 27 August, Exchange Square, Manchester (behind Marks & Spencer); and NF MARCH BANNED BUT NF WILL HAVE PRESENCE IN MEDWAY, KENT

25/08/05 'Who shot the sheriff?' - RAR/LMHR documentary film launched Love Music Hate Racism, Amicus, and Metropolis presents 'Who shot the Sheriff?', Thursday 15 September, The Scala, London. The premiere of Alan Miles' Rock Against Racism documentary, with live music.

24/08/05 Stop people being forced back to Iraq As you may have heard in the news, the government has detained scores of people so that they can be forcibly returned to Iraq. The first flight could be as early as this Bank Holiday Sunday (28 August).

16/08/05 Teenage racist jailed over attack on schoolboys A racist teenage thug who attacked three Asian schoolboys after they were hunted down by a gang behaving like a "pack of wolves'' was detained for 16 months today.

27/07/05 Support Dale Farm Travellers facing eviction On the 27th of July at 3 pm Rodney Bickerstaffe, former General Secretary of Unison and President of War on Want will visit Dale Farm Travellers' site in Essex. The Travellers on the site face eviction.

20/07/05 Racial Justice Sunday 10th anniversary Churches around Britain and Ireland observe the second Sunday of September each year as Racial Justice Sunday. It's an opportunity for church members to think and pray about racism and commit themselves to challenging it.

15/07/05 Becontree victory sees London reject Nazi BNP The Becontree by-election has seen the Nazi British National Party (BNP) kept out of London. Labour candidate Alok Agrawal got 58.5% of the vote, with the BNP coming second with 19%. The turnout in the election was 25.5%.

14/07/05 'London United' festival set for this Saturday - Volunteers needed The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced that this year's free anti-racist music festival Rise will be named 'London United' to remember all of those who died in the attacks last Thursday.

13/07/05 Stop the BNP in Becontree - Keep London fascist free! UAF is urging all supporters to help campaign against the BNP in tomorrow's Becontree by-election.

12/07/05 London to mark one week from the bomb attacks - Thursday 14th July There are two opportunities to mark one week on from the bomb attacks on London. At noon, there is to be a two minute silence. At 6pm people will gather in Trafalgar Square.

12/07/05 NAAR/Muslim Council of Britain joint statement on the London Bombings The National Assembly Against Racism and the Muslim Council of Britain condemn the bombings in London on 7 July, and extend sympathy to the friends and families of all those killed, and to all those injured.

30/06/05 Doreen Lawrence gives support to family of man denied justice in racist murder Doreen Lawrence, mother of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993, is supporting the family of Jay Abatan, a black man who was murdered in a racist attack in January 1999.

28/06/05 Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday The Churches Commission for Racial Justice are holding a service to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday on 11 September, 6pm at St Paul's Cathedral.

24/06/05 Goresbrook victory sees Nazi BNP defeated in London The Goresbrook by-election has seen the Nazi British National Party (BNP) lose the only seat that they held in London. Labour candidate Warren Northover got 51% of the vote, with the BNP coming second with 32%. The turnout in the election was 33.61%.

20/06/05 The Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition On the 21st of June Andrew Ryder of the The Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition will give evidence to the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Scottish Parliament, which is reviewing progress made since its 2001 report.

16/06/05 Response of the family of Roger Sylvester to the CPS decision "Throughout the period of over six years since Roger’s death in custody, we have faced a criminal justice system that has been persistently unable and unwilling to bring its own to account."

14/06/05 Justice for Jay Abatan petition launched A petition in support of the Justice for Jay Abatan campaign has been launched. Sign up now!

02/06/05 Unite Against Fascism Day of Action Saturday 11 June, 11am-4pm Mobilise the vote to stop the BNP in Goresbrook. The fascist British National Party are standing in the forthcoming by-election in Barking on 23rd June.

17/05/05 Verdict at inquest into death of asylum seeker Today the jury at the inquest into the death of Elmas Ozmico returned a verdict of natural causes.The two week inquest heard disturbing evidence about the lack of care and medical attention given to her.

16/05/05 Deaths in custody families to launch major new campaign The West Midlands Families Support Group aims to unite families who have lost loved ones in police custody, prisons and mental institutions across the Midlands. The event will be launched on 27th May 2005, Birmingham UK.

05/05/05 Use your vote today against the BNP The fascist British National Party are standing in 119 seats across the country, hoping not to win seats, but to increase their share of the vote and areas that they will target at the 2006 local elections.

05/05/05 Woman died after doctor delay An asylum seeker who spent eight days locked in a lorry container died from blood poisoning five days after she arrived in Kent, an inquest has heard. Elmas Ozmico, 40, claimed asylum in July 2003 after travelling from Turkey.

04/05/05 Channel 4 respond to complaints The 'Immigration is a time bomb' documentary received many complaints. Channel 4 has responded to the criticisms made of Rod Liddle's programme.

28/04/05 Migrants Deserve Respect campaign launched The “Migrants Deserve Respect” campaign has been launched in order to counter the racist, hostile agenda that is being promoted by the press and some politicians around the issues of asylum and immigration.

27/04/05 RISE - Mayor unveils new look for top anti-racist festival Rise to counter threat of racism – Mayor announces plans for anti-racism festival. Saturday 16 July 2005, Burgess Park, South London, FREE. - Lemar, Mitchell Brothers, Horace Andy amongst performers.

27/04/05 London Students Against the BNP - Debate and gig "Music and the Movement: How to Stop the BNP" at the LSE, Thursday 28 APRIL, 7pm-2am. Live performances and DJ sets from:- ROLL DEEP, RAS KWAME, LADY SOVEREIGN, RAMPAGE, SHORTEE BLITZ, SKITZ & RODNEY P, ILL KIDZ, FIRIN' SQUAD, SKEME & BIG P.

25/04/05 Unite: May Day music against racism ESTELLE - PETE DOHERTY - TERRI WALKER, plus speakers: 12noon-7pm, Sunday 1 May, Trafalgar Square, Central London. Entry:£free.

22/04/05 Question time meeting Come to the last and most important Question Time meeting - Tuesday, 3rd May 2005, 7pm. Chaired by Trevor Philips (CRE), the panel includes: Rt. Hon Charles Clarke MP (Labour); Dominic Grieve MP (Tory); Simon Hughes MP (Lib Dem).

21/04/05 Campaign for one million signatures in favour of European citizenship for all 15 Million people who reside, work and form families in the European Union are excluded from citizenship rights such as the right to vote and stand in elections.A Europe wide petition has been launched to call for a European Citizenship for all.

21/04/05 North East unites against the National Front Keep the National Front off our streets - Join the demonstration against the National Front, Assemble: 10.00 am, Saturday 23rd April, Monument, Newcastle.

21/04/05 No child left behind No child left behind campaign demonstration, Saturday 30 April 2005, assemble at 1pm, outside 10 Downing Street. Organised by the the Black Londoners Forum and the Afrochoice parent and school governor network.

20/04/05 Pull the plug on the BNP Protest against the British National Party's party political broadcast and call on the BBC to pull the plug on race hatred - Thursday 21st April, 4.30pm, outside BBC Broadcasting House, London

12/04/05 Mal Hussain and Linda Livingstone leave Ryelands mini market after 14 years Mal Hussain and Linda Livingstone bought the Ryelands mini market in 1991. Within days of starting to run their business, they were threatened and racially abused. Mal was the only black person on the estate.

12/04/05 Keep racism out of the general election campaign As the official election campaign begins, the climate created by the tone of some of rhetoric on immigration becomes fertile ground for a rise in racism and racist attacks. Furthermore, it can only aid the growth of the fascist BNP.

12/04/05 Anti-racist campaigners condemn "airbrush racism" NAAR today condemned the manipulation of images by a Conservative Party candidate from an anti-deportation protest to create a message of intolerance.

11/04/05 The choice for the anti-fascist movement With a general election date now set for 5 May, it is crucial that the anti-racist majority of voters are mobilised to ensure the lowest possible vote for the BNP.

06/04/05 Black Manifesto 2005 launched The third Black Manifesto has been launched in advance of the general election on 5 May by a coalition of black community and campaigning organisations.

06/04/05 Picket against the BNP - 7th April, 9am, Leeds Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party having today been charged under Section 18 of the Public Order Act which outlaws incitement to racial hatred, is due to attend Leeds Magistrates Court at 9.45am. Join the picket!

06/04/05 Criminal charges brought against Nick Griffin, John Tyndall and Mark Collett The BNP leader Nick Griffin, the former Youth BNP leader Mark Collett and BNP’s founder John Tyndall have been charged today at Halifax police station under the section 18 of the Public Order Act which outlaws incitement to racial hatred.

06/04/05 Stamp Out The Prejudice Campaign Campaigners for Travellers' rights such as Lord Avebury and Kevin McNamara MP will join with leaders of the Gypsy and Traveller community to celebrate the great contribution that Gypsies and Travellers make to their communities and society

06/04/05 The General Election and Good Race Relations A briefing has been prepared by the CRE for Local Authorities and Community Groups and covers challenging false or misleading information; use of council premises for meetings; and tackling campaigns of racist harassment and abuse.

05/04/05 Support the declaration against the French law banning religious headwear Over a year after the passage of the French law banning the hijab, the Jewish scull cap and the Sikh turban from schools, the campaign to overturn the ban is gathering momentum in the European Parliament.

23/03/05 March and public meeting against anti-Gypsy racism Saturday 9th April 2005 Assemble and commemoration at St James's Church, Piccadilly (12 noon); March to Trafalgar Sq (1pm). Public meeting at Jurys Hotel, Great Russell Street (3pm), Organised by the Trans-European Roma Federation and supported by members of the Gypsy Council.

22/03/05 Keep hysteria around asylum and immigration out of the general election Fax your MP asking them to keep hysteria around asylum and immigration out of the general election.

16/03/05 Complaints about 'Immigration is a time bomb' - Channel 4 Anti-racists have been sending complaints to Channel 4, following its broadcast of the 'Immigration is a time bomb' programme. Here are a sample.

12/03/05 Rev Jesse Jackson addresses London rally Rev Jesse Jackson told a packed rally at Friends Meeting House in London on 9th March, that the black vote can make a difference.

11/03/05 Fire in Worthing mosque condemned by anti-racist campaigners Anti-racist campaigners have condemned the fire, apparently deliberately started at a mosque in Worthing last night. The news came as campaigners sent a complaint to Channel 4 on the broadcast of Rod Liddle's ‘Immigration is a time bomb’.

11/03/05 Immigration programme full of racist content Last night's 'Immigration is a time bomb' programme by Rod Liddle was one of the worse pieces of racist, populist programming that have been broadcast on this issue.

10/03/05 Real change needed in the police service A new report from the Commission for Racial Equality brings the spotlight back on to the Lawrence report agenda (Black police still abused at work, CRE study finds, 9 March).

10/03/05 London's 35 racist crimes a day Up to 35 racist crimes occur in London every day, new police figures reveal. The findings are expected to trigger fresh calls for action to stamp out abuse.

08/03/05 CRE report brings the spotlight back onto the Lawrence agenda say campaigners Today's report by the Commission for Racial Equality highlights the continuing presence of institutional racism at the heart of police forces across the country.

04/03/05 Documentary shows appalling treatment of asylum seekers The BBC documentary ‘Detention undercover – the real story’ exposes the appalling degradation and racism experienced by asylum seekers at Oakington reception centre.

04/03/05 NAAR supports Terence Higgins Trust’s Free HIV Treatment For All campaign Due to media agitation about so called 'treatment tourism', as of April 2004 free HIV treatment is no longer available for all UK residents.

02/03/05 Anti-racists write complaint to Associated Newspapers Ltd Anti-racist campaigners including Jewish organisations and trade unions have joined forces to condemn the Daily Mail, after revelations that a Christmas party on the Nazi ‘theme’ was held thirteen years ago by its staff.

01/03/05 Rise Festival 2005 - We need help! For the fourth year running NAAR is helping to organise Rise, the Mayor of London's free anti-racist, music and entertainment festival which will be held on Saturday 16th July 2005.

12/02/05 Tory policy on TB and HIV tests are designed to stigmatise migrants Anti-racist campaigners and the Terence Higgins Trust have joined ranks to condemn the Tory proposals on compulsory tests for TB and HIV on all new migrants.

08/02/05 ‘Do not pander to racist hysteria on immigration and asylum’ say campaigners Anti-racist campaigners are appealing to the government to desist from the bidding war on immigration and asylum policy, which can only lead to further deepening racist fears that have been whipped up by right wing politicians and sections of the media.

24/01/05 No whipping up of racism for electoral gain, say campaigners Anti-racist campaigners have condemned the Conservative Party’s plans on asylum and immigration in a full-page advertisement in the Sunday Telegraph yesterday, which pander to racism in a bid to make electoral gains.

18/01/05 Rise of racism and its perpetrators escaping justice unacceptable Today's figures on conviction rates of perpetrators of racism show a small increase in the rate of prosecutions (2%), but in the context of a 13% rise of the number of racist crimes referred to the CPS.