Press Release November 2005
Three National Traveller Organisations welcome deferment of 'Nally Rally'.
The three national Traveller organisations; Pavee Point Travellers' Centre, the National Traveller Women's Forum and the Irish Traveller Movement welcome the decision by the Padraig Nally Support Group to defer Sunday's planned march. We feel in the current climate of racism and widespread anti-Traveller sentiment being expressed in the media and by negative sentiments being voiced by political leaders on the airwaves that the march would only serve to further fuel racism against Travellers.
The three national organisations recognise the need for constructive debate around issues such as rural decline whereby people living in isolated areas are left vulnerable and exposed to criminals. These issues should not be used to scapegoat an entire community. As a result of the fallout from the Nally case Travellers are now living in fear as they go about their business on a day-to-day basis. This affects Traveller children in school and Traveller access to a whole range of services. Positive steps need to be taken to address Travellers' precarious and marginalised position within Irish society and the media in general ought to avoid sensationalist reporting which can mislead, promote prejudice, or, is likely to promote incitement to hatred.
Traveller organisations have consistently challenged anti-social and criminal behaviour by Travellers and will continue to do so. Traveller organisations want to promote good relations with the settled community and have undertaken a series of initiatives which are all seriously undermined by such negative coverage. The three National Traveller organisations call on other organisations and opinion leaders to condemn racism against Travellers and show solidarity and promote good relations with Travellers and settled people at this difficult time.
A press conference will be held by Traveller organisations to discuss these and other issues in the near future
ENDS.
Issued as a joint statement by Pavee Point, the National Traveller Women's Forum and the Irish Traveller Movement and supported by local Traveller groups throughout the country.