In Support - In Solidarity

national | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis Wednesday April 13, 2005 17:29 by Davy Carlin - Chairperson Anti Racism Network carlindavid at hotmail dot com 0777 405 3223

For distribution amongst the Northern activist and media Networks.

Dear friends,

Below are details of a march to be held in Athlone this week in which I am to speak on behalf of the Anti Racism Network of Northern Ireland - lending full active support to this campaign

Once again we see the Thatcherite agenda of the Minister of Justice. I would urge all organisations that have supporters in the South to promote the march, the issue, and to attend.

There will also be other activist networks such as those involved in Street Seen who will be travelling down to lend active support.

If people want to go down drop me a line as we will be leaving for Dublin on Friday evening

Bring Them Back!

March for the return of
Athlone Mothers
Saturday 16th April
12:00
From Burgess Park
(near Golden Island)
To
St. Peter’s Square

Iyabo Nwanzi Elizabeth Odunsi



Having fled the danger and turmoil of Nigeria, Elizabeth and Iyabo settled in Athlone in the summer of 2001. Both women have become an important part of the town’s life. They sought to build a safer, better future for themselves and their children by studying English, Mathematics, and Computer Applications in a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme. They looked forward to the day that they they would be allowed to work and support themselves in their adopted country.

Now, more than ever, this country needs people of moral integrity, a sense of justice and a respect for those around them. Elizabeth and Iwabo are such people. They have embraced the life and culture of Athlone. They have become good friends and neighbours. Their children have spent the last four years at school with our children; they are classmates, school friends and teammates; they have grown up together.

To see the families of Elizabetha and Iyabo torn apart and separated from their friends, to see their dream of a future free of abuse and fear crushed and to see their children hiding in fear is beyond comprehension. Our immigration and asylum system has failed them, our state has failed them and anyone who remains silent on their plight is failing them.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell has said that if the children of Elizabeth and Iyabo are presented to him he will return them to Nigeria. To give these mothers a choice between bringing their children into danger or being separated from them indefinitely is inhumane.

We ask you to add your voice to ours in calling for the return of Elizabeth and Iwabo. Help us to speak for those who are not being heard. Help us to reunite these Athlone mothers with their children. Elizabeth and Iyabo and their two youngest children must come back to Ireland.

They must come home to Athlone, now!