Racism - Fascism

antrim | worker & community struggles and protests | opinion/analysis Monday June 15, 2009 15:21 by Davy Carlin - Belfast WSM {PC}

Racist attacks on Lisburn Rd Belfast

Questions need to be answered by police

Accusations of ‘police inaction’ and ‘feeding misinformation’ to media

Racist attacks on Lisburn Rd Belfast
Questions need to be answered by police
Accusations of ‘police inaction’ and ‘feeding misinformation’ to media

Local residents organising a protest against racist attacks have criticised the police for lack of action in dealing with serious racist attacks carried out by small groups of racists in the Lisburn Rd area.

One of the organisers of the protest, Paddy Meehan has also criticised the police for misinforming the media that the families under attack were Polish, when in fact they are Romanian. Mr. Meehan explained “The police’s reports to the media that the families under attack are Polish is particularly dangerous after recent tensions in the area after the clashes at the recent Northern Ireland Poland football match.”

Log of events

Wednesday 10th June

About 5pm: Crowd of 15 attacked member of Romanian family on Wellesely Avenue.

At 11pm: Police called after attack on house on 14 Belgravia Ave – Police arrive at 12.30am

Thursday 11th June

About 10pm: Assault on member of family at 113 Wellesely Avenue by a gang estimated 15 people, hit with large plank of wood – broken nose and injuries to head and back – child also hit – Police were phoned but when they arrived they did not chase after gang when they fled.

Friday 12th June

About 9.30pm – Attack on house at 14 Belgravia Ave

About 12am: Group of 6 or 7 attack house at 14 Belgravia Ave with stones. While running away from scene they shouted “Up Combat 18 – Out with Pakis” and retreated behind billboards at the top of Ulsterville Ave. Police were informed through 999 emergency number of their whereabouts. 15 minutes later gang returned and attempted to kick front door in. 10 minutes after second attack police arrived.

Saturday 13th June

About 5.30pm – Gang of seven racists threw stones at family outside 14 Belgravia Ave. Police phoned immediately and arrive ten minutes later. Another attack on 14 Belgravia Avenue between 1am and 2am. Police contacted and arrived. Family leave house on Belgravia Ave.

About 1am - Attack on houses at 113 Wellesley Ave and 78 Wellington Park – Police phoned at 1am – Police said they were busy. Residents told police they were worried because there was a two day old baby as well as other children in the house. Police arrive at roughly 1.30pm.

Monday 15th

Police inform media that families are Polish, not Romanian.

For more information contact Paddy Meehan at 07876146473

--- And So ---

These attacks cannot go unchallenged, below is a link to a talk I give in relation to the once Belfast Anti Racism Movement, and I talk a bit about how I believe both racism and visible fascism needs to be challenged .

Link - http://www.wsm.ie/news_viewer/4462
Article – {Immigrant Workers and Racism}

With this situation developing, and now the more overt attacks again coming to the fore - then if such is not brought to an end, - then such will see ‘A RETURN’ of such being visibly and more determinately challenged.

And so as those thugs take to the streets and attacks, my thoughts go back to the time when but a few of us sat in a room and others talked of how little there was we could do

The words and thoughts in mind at the beginning of the once Belfast ARN are the same as I sit here typing now –

And they are that of - those racist- fascists

-‘They shall not Amass’-

As Always

In Solidarity

D