MEP SPEAKS OUT AGAINST
MASS DALE FARM EVICTION
By Grattan Puxon
MEP Richard Howitt added his voice last night
to mounting opposition now being expressed
against the government-backed £18 million
eviction which could see Britain’s biggest
Gypsy village raised to the ground.
Howitt told protesters outside Basildon town
hall: “I have stood up against the forced
evictions of Roma in France and Italy and I don’t
want to see this happening in my own
constituency.”
With residents at the rally were members
of UK Uncut and representatives of Jewish
and Catholic communities. Migrant Roma
from Bulgaria had also come to Dale Farm
during the day to stand with the 90 families
facing eviction.
“We are losing our homes too,” said Hristo
Slavov, “All of us, Roma and Travellers, must
unite against this racism.”
Joseph Jones, chair of the 45-year-old Gypsy
Council, said a big step towards unity and greater
frontline activism had been taken only last week
at the founding congress of the new European
Romani Union in Slovenia.
“Together we intend to draw a line at Dale Farm
and stop this destruction of homes and our way
of life,” Jones commented. “It’s ethnic-cleansing
and we will not tolerate it.”
But despite the voices outside, Tory councillors
in the town hall voted to add an additional £1.2m
towards an estimated policing bill for the massive
eviction operation which alone could amount to
£10m due to the anticipated strong resistance.
With much to lose, including her chalet home,
Mary Ann McCarthy, put into words the feelings
of Dale Farm residents when she said after the
meeting: “They tell us to leave – but where are we
to go? I have 22 children and grandchildren and
we shall fight to stay.”
Tomorrow [2 July] further preparations, with
supporters of Dale Farm Solidarity, will be made
at the estate for the long-term establishment of
Camp Constant. This support-base is to provide
accommodation for an international legal observer
team and media personell.
“The final 28-day notice could be served on us
next week,” said Gypsy Council president Richard
Sheridan. “Although we have not given up hope of
further legal challenges and delays.”
WHAT TO DO NOW?