Press

1 Press release 11 March – launch of European Week Website

2 Press reease 12 March – ENAR Ireland calls on government for immediate action on reported circulation of racist material

EUROPEAN WEEK AGAINST RACISM: MARCH 13–21

Date for press diary:  11 March 9.30-10.30, Launch of European Week, Dublin 2.

Press release    Press release     Press release     Press release        11 March 2010

 Minister John Curran TD launches European Week Against Racism Website 11 March 2010 

Show Your Opposition to Racism

 ENAR Ireland is pleased to announce that the Minister for Integration, Mr. John Curran TD, shall launch European Week Against Racism on 11 March. 

Who:               Minister for Integration Mr John Curran, T.D. will officially launch the Week

Where:            European House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 at 9:30am.

When:             The launch takes place at 9:30am on the 11 March, 2010

 On the 11 March, 2010, the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland officially launches a week long awareness campaign (13-21 March) to address racism and celebrate diversity in Irish society. Thousands of people, not just in Ireland but all across the EU will come together during the week to promote equal rights for a fairer Europe.  The European Week highlights the reality of racism and the role we can all play in addressing it.  From the 13-21 of March, schools, local communities, and organisations nationwide will be raising awareness about the need to combat racism. 

 ENAR Ireland has produced a website with a Calendar of Events to help co-ordinate and promote activities.  The Calendar showcases some of the work by organisations working towards an inclusive, intercultural society.  The Week creates spaces for people to enjoy diversity in their everyday lives.  People who want to show their opposition to racism can participate for example, in music, sport, cultural activities and debate.  Visit www.enarireland.org/ewar2010

 Events culminate in the International Day Against Racism on March 21. This date was declared as a memorial by the United Nations in response to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.

 Catherine Lynch, ENAR Ireland, said, “the European Week presents an opportunity for all sections of society to show our opposition to racism. We must recognise the sometimes subtle, sometimes devastating consequences of racism.  Those lucky enough not to be affected by racism may deny its existence but denying the problem does not make it go away.”  She adds, “it is important that we create different ways for people to show their solidarity and to enjoy diversity, in their everyday lives.”

 Nadiyah Khalid, East Meets West, tells us to be careful “not to judge people by the colour of their skin.”  “We all need to listen if we are to be heard.”   

 Notes for the editor

For further information please Catherine Lynch on 087-2507942 or EnarIreland@gmail.com 

Additional information:

 European Week Against Racism runs from 13–21 March. During 13-21 March, thousands of people, not just in Ireland but all across the EU will come together to promote and celebrate equal rights and diversity in Europe. These events culminate in the International Day Against Racism on March 21. This date was declared as a memorial by the United Nations in response to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.

 ENAR Ireland actively supports the annual European Week Against Racism.  We have developed a webpage with an online calendar, to support the co-ordination of initiatives across the country. 

Who or what is ENAR Ireland?

The national network of anti-racist organisations, ENAR Ireland, is the Irish coordination for the European Network Against Racism.ENAR brings together more than 600 organisations throughout the European Union, working to combat racism in all member states.

In Ireland, our members include: African Cultural Awareness Project, Akidwa, Cairde, Comhlamh, Community Workers Co-op, Cultúr, Donegal Fáilte Project, European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland, Galway Refugee Support Group, Immigrant Council of Ireland, Integration and Social Inclusion Centre, Irish Refugee Council, Irish Traveller Movement, Mayo Intercultural Action, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, National Women’s Council Ireland (NWCI), New Communities Partnership, Pavee Point, Roma Support Group, Show Racism the Red Card, and Sport Against Racism Ireland.

About the Speakers

Brigid Quilligan is Assistant Director at the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM).  ITM is a national network of organisations and individuals working within the Traveller community. ITM was established in 1990 and now has over eighty Traveller organisations from all parts of Ireland in its membership. The Irish Traveller Movement consists of a partnership between Travellers and settled people committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society.

 Nadiyah Khalid is living in Longford with her family.  Nadiyah Khalid is one of the founder members of East Meets West (an intercultural women’s group in Longford) which was won a 2009 Co-operation Ireland’s National Pride Of Place Award.  Nadiyah was recently elected as Chairperson of Longford Women’s Manifesto Group, an initiative developed by Longford Women’s Link in December 2008, to help ensure that women’s voices are heard in local political decision making. 

 Catherine Lynch is the coordinator of ENAR Ireland, a network of anti-racist NGOs and the Irish Co-ordination for European Network Against Racism.

PRESS RELEASE – ENAR IRELAND calls for action on racist material.

*Press release    Press release     Press release     Press release *

 European Network Against Racism Ireland

 For immediate release

 12 March 2010

Government must act immediately on reported circulation of racist propaganda by An Post e-mail

 The European Network Against Racism Ireland, the national network of anti racist organisations, today calls for immediate investigation by the Department of Communications into the circulation of racist material by a person using an An Post email address.

 Speaking at the start of European Week Against Racism, Catherine Lynch, National Coordinator of ENAR Ireland, stated ‘this material came to our attention last night.  The email address used to send the offensive material to journalist Vincent Browne was an ‘An Post’ email.  The content of the email was extreme and a clear incitement to hatred towards the immigrant community’.