There must be an immediate end to all sectarian attacks against Protestant homes and Catholics living in the Village. It is important that local communities unite, across the sectarian interface, to stop all attacks. Communities must stand up and isolate racists and sectarians on both sides.
It is crucial that the underlying problems of mass unemployment, poor housing and lack of access to education which give rise to the poison of racism and sectarianism are tackled. Working class communities more than ever need to stand together to defend jobs, wages and public services which are facing huge attacks from employers and the politicians in Stormont and Westminster.

On the afternoon of Saturday 10th April nearly 3,000 people gathered in Parnell Square’s garden of remembrance, Dublin, to protest against the death of Toyosi  Shitta-Bey – a fifteen year-old Nigerian schoolboy who was brutally murdered in on Good Friday.

Despite protestations from the local Iman that the event was not necessary and cynical speculation from the media that the protest would be ‘hijacked’ by political groups, the rally went ahead. It was organised by Toyosi’s family and friends who desperately wanted to send out a loud and clear message to the people of Dublin – never again. The community of Toyosi’s resident Tyrrelstown in the west of the city is still reeling from the shock of last week’s events, and a deep-seated anger is evident. What is also evident and should be strongly commended is the community’s determination to ensure the ensuing anger is used for positive change and not negative retaliatory violence – a determination which was reflected in the admirable actions of young people at Saturday’s rally.

An African school friend of Toyoshi spoke emotively on stage about how he had been with him on the night of his death, and how he had watched his friend suffer. With tears running down his face he continued his speech by pleading with the people of Ireland to unite and ensure this atrocity need never be repeated. Afterwards he was comforted by Irish and African young people, demonstrating sympathy and solidarity with each other, race no more of an issue than what colour of shoes they were wearing.  Standing peacefully arm in arm, and hand in hand, white and black, were the youth of Toyosi’s community: people from his school, his friends and his family, holding hand-made and pre-printed placards with anti-racist slogans. The young people were shouting out a clear message which should be observed and acted on by all – there is no place for racism in any community, it is those responsible for this brutal murder who are not welcome.

Youth Against Racism also calls on the Gardai and PSNI to take every reported incident of racial abuse seriously and to act immediately – as stated by Socialist Party MEP Joe Higgins who was speaking at Saturday’s rally. However the race to the bottom in wages and conditions, the decimation of public services to fund the bail out of the banks and the lack of facilities in local communities can breed racism. The trade union movement and community activists have a key role to play in ensuring that these problems are laid at the feet of the government and their banker and speculator friends and not scapegoat minorities.

The youth of Tyrrelstown should serve as an inspiration to all working class communities – they see no difference between their skin colour and that of their friends, and they want to live in a world where they are free to mix together with no fear of violence or racist abuse. Strong community action is required now to end the scourge of racism in our communities and ensure that Toyosi’s death was not in vain and the wishes of his friends, his family, his neighbours and all attendees of Saturday’s rally are adamant, that never again should anyone have to suffer the horror of such a terrible event.

To get your copies e-mail youthagainstracism@hotmail.com

Youth Against Racism protest covered on Time Online

Mark Thompson the Director-General of the BBC is to review the corporation’s decision to invite Nick Griffin on Question Time on Thursday 22nd October.

The review has been prompted by last week’s court case that deemed the BNP’s constitution illegal for denying non-whites the right to join the party.

Protests have been called across England & Wales on Thursday to oppose the BNP leader’s appearance.

Protest on the night Nick Griffin is due to appear on the BBC

5pm Thursday 22nd October

BBC Broadcasting House, Ormeau Ave

Called by Anti-Racism Network

100 protesters assembled outside the BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast on Thursday 15^th October to show their opposition to the BBC’s decision to invite Nick Griffin onto Question Time. A number of BNP supporters showed up in an attempt to intimidate protesters but failed. The protest drowned out the BNP supporters with chants of “Nazis’s OUT!”

Paddy Meehan from Youth Against Racism said:

“The protest showed people’s anger against the BNP being gifted the opportunity to stoke up racist division on Question Time. This is in contrast to the complete black out of our protest by the BBC. The BBC seems more interested in ratings than the effects of their actions. This follows the BBC’s decision earlier this year which prevented YAR representatives announcing a protest attacks on Romanian families.

“The protest was a success as it shone the spotlight on the BBC and by drawing out BNP supporters exposing them for what they are – thugs who have no interest in debates.

“We are determined to increase pressure on the BBC to withdraw the invitation to the BNP to participate on Question Time.”

Called by Youth Against Racism

The union representing workers at the BBC has backed a protest to be held next Thursday 15^th October outside BBC Broadcasting House in Belfast against the decision to invite the BNP on to the Question Time programme.

BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union) which represents 26,500 workers across the UK today revealed that they could not support a far-right party like the BNP being given a platform to spread racist lies.

The union has also pledged to support any member who decides, as a matter of conscience, not to work on the broadcast because of the involvement of the BNP. The BBC, attempting to out-manouvre a possible boycott, has outsourced the production of Question Time which is to include the BNP.

Welcoming BECTU’s support, Paddy Meehan of Youth Against Racism added

“All trade unions need to take a stand against the BNP, a far-right anti-union party, being given such a platform. We want workers to come down to BBC Broadcasting House on Ormeau Avenue in Belfast at 5.30pm on Thursday 15^th October to express their opposition to this decision. The BNP is about taking away all democratic rights which have been won by ordinary people down the years. They must be opposed wherever they try to organise.”

Youth Against Racism has organised a protest against the BBC’s invitation to the far-right, racist BNP to participate in Question Time. The protest will take place at 5.30pm on Thursday 15th October outside BBC Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.

The BBC have offered the BNP a platform on Question Time. The far-right BNP won 2 seats in the recent European elections. This party is attempting to develop a respectable image, but their core is out-right fascism. Their founder called Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’ his ‘Bible’ and Nick Griffin, the current leader, regularly denied the Holocaust.
Paddy Meehan of Youth Against Racism said:-
‘It is disgraceful that the BBC is offering the racist BNP a platform from which to put forward their lies. This party’s aim is purely and simply to stoke up racial tensions which they seek to exploit, by scapegoating immigrants and ethnic minorities for the lack of jobs and social housing

‘Where they are given a platform, it gives confidence to racists and fascists to carry out attacks. We must fight to stop them being allowed to speak on Question Time. That is why Youth Against Racism has organised this protest, in solidarity with those campaigning on the same issue in England’.

‘We call on all young people, trade unionists and community activists to mobilise for this demonstration, and send the message loud and clear that we don’t want the BNP on our airwaves.’

The protest is to take place outside BBC Broadcasting House on Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, at 5.30pm on Thursday 15th October, a week before the BNP are due to appear.