Anti Racism Network

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Thursday December 23, 2004 17:47 by Davy Carlin - Chair - ARN carlindavid at hotmail dot com

Dear friends the end of the year for the ARN started of as it ended with activists taking a firm stand against racist attacks and racism.

Dear friends the end of the year for the ARN started of as it ended with activists taking a firm stand against racist attacks and racism.

Through December we have seen the South Belfast association organising successful pickets high lighting the continuing issue surrounding Homefinders. In North Belfast the association organised a successful vigil highlighting the issue of the criminalising of asylum seekers at Belfast City Hall, while activists in West Belfast organised the second Love Music Hate Racism gig in Belfast. It was a case of standing room only - and we would like to thank the John Hewitt bar and open windows productions for all their support.


Friends the ARN has held mass rallies this year we have seen also responses by local communities in their hundreds mobilise against such attacks. We have also organised several pickets and vigils highlight the ongoing issue of the plight of asylum seekers as well as monitoring and lending support and advice to many - and much more. Although persons may be aware of the many initatives that the ARN have been involved in both through the media and through this network we in fact also deal with many individual cases of people contacting us looking support.


Friends we have seen even at the close of this year that the racist attacks still continue which makes it all the more important that we are as organised and ready for the coming year to continue to stand firm against the still racist attacks and racism - and in support and solidarity with the victims of them. We have done a lot of good and vitally important work, yet this is just the beginning. To that effect the ARN steering group shall be meeting shortly after the New Year.


Will be in touch soon, in solidarity, Davy Carlin ARN