The coalition’s proposals to restrict judicial review and to abolish measures which safeguard race equality amount to a further assault on migrants, asylum seekers and BME communities, in the guise of promoting economic growth. Prime minister David Cameron used the unlikely setting of a speech to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference on 19
Theme: Violence and harassment
The struggle for family and private life in the UK
A training day to explore how unity can be built with those fighting for leave to remain, or those who have just been granted status, to challenge the austerity measures. Saturday 24 November 2012, 10-3.30pm The Friends Meeting House, 6 The Friars, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2AS Speakers: Sheona York – Kent Law Clinic Shanti Haft
Shadow Lives
A lecture based on the forthcoming book by Victoria Brittain, Shadow Lives: the Forgotten Women of the War on Terror. Friday 23 November 2012, 6.30pm The Institute of Psychoanalysis, Byron House, 112A Shirland Road, London W9 2EQ Speaker: Victoria Brittain – journalist and author of Shadow Lives: the Forgotten Women of the War on Terror
Justice and Security Bill: covering up state crimes
A meeting on secret evidence, closed courts and the Justice and Security Bill. Wednesday 21 November 2012, 6.30-8.30pm Garden Court Chambers, 57-60 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LJ Speakers: Chaired by Louise Christian – civil liberties and human rights lawyer Dinah Rose QC – Blackstone Chambers Richard Norton-Taylor – journalist and writer Clare Algar –
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 –
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
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
Fortress Europe book event
A discussion of the politics and consequences of Europe’s heavily militarised ‘hard’ borders. Wednesday 7 November 2012, 7pm Housmans Bookshop, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX Speakers: Matt Carr – journalist and author of Fortress Europe: dispatches from a gated continent Liz Fekete – Institute of Race Relations RELATED LINKS Housmans Bookshop Buy a copy
Hillsborough: ‘speaking truth to power’
Phil Scraton discusses the context and circumstances of the Hillsborough disaster. Wednesday 21 November 2012, 7.30pm The Concert Room, St George’s Hall, Liverpool L1 1JJ
‘Super-selectivity’ and its effects
The policy of commercialisation of migration leads inexorably to neglect and ill-treatment of the most vulnerable. At a recent conference organised by the Detention Advice Service (DAS), Rob Whiteman, the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) chief executive, was unapologetic. ‘We implement the government’s policy of super-selectivity’, he said. ‘That means we want only the brightest and