South Belfast Anti Racism Network {ARN} meeting

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Thursday August 19, 2004 13:45

by D

Last night South Belfast ARN meeting was attended by local residents and trade unionists, as well as between fifteen to twenty representatives of various local community organisations and support groups from around South Belfast.

Last night South Belfast ARN meeting was attended by local residents and trade unionists, as well as between fifteen to twenty representatives of various local community organisations and support groups from around South Belfast. The meeting came up with a lot of concrete proposals and several working groups where established to take on these tasks.

Immediate issues raised where that of fundraising {gigs etc}, providing immediate and active response and solidarity to victims of attacks, {'safe houses - shelter', phone network for immediate mobilisation and support for the victims etc}. Providing a collective local response through the mobilising of local communities and trade unions against attacks. Poster campaigns in which local community organisations and residents etc put them up in their windows {not in isolation but by getting as many people within a local area to do it all at the same time together}. Many other issues where raised and discussed, from the the issue of lack of housing, facilities etc, through to leafleting, newssheets, first contact cards etc , with the local Network to meet again in two weeks time while working groups work on those various tasks at hand.

It was also raised that the ARN steering group are discussing the holding of a mass rally against racism in Belfast in the time ahead. Which would seek to mobilise trade union, community and support organisations, not only from around Belfast but from around Northern Ireland to attend.