29/08/2011 -
Dale Farm residents are going to attend a high court hearing on Wednesday (31 August) in a final bid to stop the bulldozing of their homes.
They are calling on supporters join them outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in the Strand, London, at 12 noon.
"This is our last chance to appeal to a judge to stop the eviction", said Kathleen McCarthy.
"We hope British justice will see fit to save us from this act of ethnic-cleansing."
Final notice to quit their land at Dale Farm, Basildon,Essex, expires at midnight on Wednesday.
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DALE FARM SOLIDARITY
This is a last-minute, urgent plea from a fellow councillor, urging Basildon Council to stop all shameful plans to evict travellers from Dale Farm.
As you know, some 96 families have lived there since the '70s, having been advised by John Major to buy land. This was done, but sadly some planning permission refused. No other possible provision has been suggested for alternative sites and Travellers' own applications ignored. Yet their site was a former scrap-yard in industrial use- not green belt, as argued.
After 31st August I gather that some 400 will lose their homes and the council proposes to cut off water and electricity- a very serious violation of human rights, as Amnesty International has argued.
What will happen to the sick, small children and elderly residents?
As a diabetic, former teacher, I understand how difficult it would be without a permanent address to gain essential, life-saving medical facilities or a place for children in school.
Travellers are already hugely disadvantaged in terms of health and education at the 'best of times'.
What will happen to the sick, small children and elderly residents?
As a diabetic, former teacher, I understand how difficult it would be without a permanent address to gain essential, life-saving medical facilities or a place for children in school.
Travellers are already hugely disadvantaged in terms of health and education at the 'best of times'.
While aware that many local authorities have failed to meet their legal obligations or even recommended targets for sites, the fact remains that this would be a brutal eviction of a very vulnerable minority group, already discriminated against, at the enormous cost of £18m. I urge you, even at this late stage, to halt the plans to evict, renegotiate and come to a mutually agreeable solution for culturally appropriate sites.
Otherwise, it will be a shameful blot on Basildon Council's reputation.
Otherwise, it will be a shameful blot on Basildon Council's reputation.
Jean Clark (Harlow councillor)
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There is very interesting history to the caravan sites situation in England.
In 1968, The Caravan Sites Act required the establishment of 400 sites for Romani and Travellers throughout England.
This seemed positive until it was realized that the act made it ILLEGAL for Romani and Travellers to stop anywhere BUT
designated sites.
Over time Romani and Travellers began to purchase land because it was apparent that the number of available sites was totally inadequate.
As the situation at Dale Farm, and all through England show, the majority community will not respect the rights of the Romani/Traveller community, neither the rights to travel, nor to settle.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't........
Morgan
__________________________________________
There is very interesting history to the caravan sites situation in England.
In 1968, The Caravan Sites Act required the establishment of 400 sites for Romani and Travellers throughout England.
This seemed positive until it was realized that the act made it ILLEGAL for Romani and Travellers to stop anywhere BUT
designated sites.
Over time Romani and Travellers began to purchase land because it was apparent that the number of available sites was totally inadequate.
As the situation at Dale Farm, and all through England show, the majority community will not respect the rights of the Romani/Traveller community, neither the rights to travel, nor to settle.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't........
Morgan
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