The Dublin-based Anti-Racism Network (ARN)[1] co-founded by Luke Bukha Kasuanga is taking on new challenges. The ARN was launched in August 2010, but recently, in the light of yet another asylum death (in direct provision) and an increase in brutal deportations, it has expanded its remit, launching a sister organisation Anti Deportation Ireland. A new
News Service
IRR News 2-8 November 2012
Dear IRR News subscriber, This week, the IRR’s Ryan Erfani-Ghettani examines the recent success of anti-Gypsy and Traveller site action groups. I’ve written two articles, one on the death of Prince Kwabena Fosu at Harmondsworth removal centre last week and another on police officer ‘E7’ who gave evidence to the Azelle Rodney Inquiry this week.
Another death at Harmondsworth
On 30 October, a man was found dead at Harmondsworth removal centre in west London. The deceased has been named as 31-year-old Prince Kwabena Fosu from Ghana. The Home Office released a one-sentence statement and refused to answer any questions: ‘This death is being investigated so it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage. We will
Azelle Rodney Inquiry
This week, the Azelle Rodney Inquiry heard from the police officer, known only as E7, who had shot 24-year-old Azelle six times, (including twice in the head), as he sat in the back of a car in Edgware, north London in April 2005. Echo 7/E7, now retired, told the inquiry that he had also killed
Localism, populism and the fight against sites
Action groups and ‘residents’ associations have, in recent months, been using all kinds of legal technicalities to stop Gypsy and Traveller settlements, in some cases with the express backing of local authorities. Using the Localism Act, local ‘residents’ groups[1] are emerging to fight, usually successfully, against Traveller and Gypsy attempts to establish legal sites –
IRR News 26 October-1November 2012
Dear IRR News subscriber, This week, over 500 people marched in London for the annual United Families and Friends Campaign procession to remember those who have died in state custody. Chris Searle reviews two challenging new books for young people. And we reproduce an open letter from Grattan Puxon of the Dale Farm Housing Association
Dale Farm: children’s welfare
Below we reproduce an open letter to Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, from Grattan Puxon of the Dale Farm Housing Association. Dear Mr Ball, You have announced that further action will be taken shortly against families on the Dale Farm estate, especially those now compelled to live in caravans on Oak Lane following your
Creative new books for young people
Two challenging new books to inspire young people in these grim, austere and unjust times. The description of William Cuffay (1788-1870), his father an ex-slave from St Kitts, his mother a Kentish woman, from the November 1849 ‘Convict Description List’ after his arrival from transportation from Wakefield Prison to Hobart in Tasmania, is lucidly set
Angry bereaved families march on Downing Street
On Saturday 27 October, over 500 people gathered to march from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street for the annual United Families and Friends Campaign remembrance procession for those that have died in state custody. The march made its way slowly down Whitehall, led by the sons, daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of those that have
IRR News 19-25 October 2012
Dear IRR News subscriber, This week, we reproduce a letter to the Guardian by IRR director A. Sivanandan on the recent controversy surrounding Kick it Out and the Football Association’s response to racism in football. The IRR’s Victoria Brittain reports on the Home Office’s double standards in the Gary McKinnon case, and the IRR’s Jon