Police is investigating racist hate speech on an unofficial webpage of UK’s armed force. Rroma are a clear target of this racism with comments that are totally unacceptable. We hope the culprits will be weeded out of the armed forces.
An effort is under way in Canada to have the Rroma Holocaust formally recognised. This is supported by the local Jewish organisations.
This week, some news about Rroma in France. A camp was closed in Goussainville, near Paris; in Nanterre, on Paris’ outskirt, a camp is being closely monitored following a fire; a camp has been closed near Grenoble; in the North, a tribunal has requested the expulsion of a camp; in the North, a shop selling Romanian products to Rroma was torched – WORRYSOME!; and finally, some quite rich thieves, Rroma from Serbia, who lived in a house with all amenities and luxury products.
August 2nd will see the first commemoration of the Rroma Holocaust.
The new president of the Austrian Rroma Cultural Association, Christian Kippl, is asking for the creation of a EU Commissioner on Rroma issues.
He is right!
The new mayor of Rome, Virgina Ray is on collision course with Rroma in the capital. Latest issue are statements of one of the councillors, Paula Murano who made statements that Rroma organisations deemed demagogy: Pointing at a Rrom rummaging in a wastebin, she said that is she would do it, she would be arrested, but in the case of Rroma and immigrants, nothing happens.
Rroma organisations wrote to the mayor, saying that there is a phenomenon of poverty, that has nothing to do with the criminalisation of an ethnic minority.
To follow …
A reminder that there was a Rroma holocaust. Unfortunately, the term used here is a total no-go: Porrajmos. It is first not understood by all non Vlach, and second, among Vlach, it refers more to a rape than anything else. Bad choice of words for a very real Holocaust. Let’s stick to Holocaust.
The case brought against the extreme-rightist party NPD in Germany about their poster “Geld für die Oma, anstatt für Sinti und Roma” [Money for grandma instead of for Sinti and Roma] has been dismissed. The prosecutor said there was nothing racist or inciting racial hatred in that poster (Really). The Central Council of Sionti and Roma is appalled and actually said that with the prosecutor’s logic, one literally could say “Don’t buy from Jews” and this would not be racist. Or would it be?
The Rroma Family from Hungary has been granted a reprieve. For how long, this is not clear.
An article on refugees generally, with a small note on Rroma. But interesting read anyhow!
A theatre initiative in Augsburg organises visit of the “Fischerholz” neighbourhood, a place where Sinti and Rroma lived in the early 50’s. Stories and history will be presented during the tours.
As we write, the Lakatos family will probably have returned to Hungary. Their permit expired yesterday, and bar a miracle, they will have had to leave.
A report on begging in Stuttgart and on the actions of the police against it. Again, Rroma are seen as the main source of beggars (from Bulgaria, Slovakia, and from Romania). Clearly an amalgamation of Rroma to beggars …
If there are no news about Rroma in the French Press, there are many about travellers. So many in fact, that one could think that France is literally invaded by travellers. 37 articles, in their great majority about illegal camps … You can judge by yourself:
Illegal camping in Vizille, near Grenoble; illegal camping in Alsace; in St. Hilaire, in Plan de Grasse, in Revel, in Saintes Maxime, in the Ardèche, in Montpellier, in Millau, and in Cabestany, in the South of France; in Western France in the Landes, in Dinant, in Lanton, in les Billaux, in Escources, in Pont de Cé, and in Lespare; in the North of France in Alprecht, in Wattinies, in Dunkerque, in Librecourt, in Le Portel, in Valenciennes, in Meurchin, and in Mazingarbe; in Normandy in Vascoeuil; in the East of France in Epinal, in Jarville, in Neufchateeau, in Saint Vit, and in Dombasle; and finally two articles on potential sites for camping for travellers in the centre of France and near Paris.
The Rroma occupying the Regensburg Cathedral have moved to the parish house of St. Emmeran in Bavaria. According to the refugees, the church was very forthcoming g in helping them.
Meanwhile, there is another article bemoaning the involvement of Antifa (Anti-Fascist Movement) behind the occupation of the cathedral. Adds nothing to the facts, and is just there to discredit the cause that these Rroma are fighting for.
A nice article on Häns’che Weiss, one of the most prominent musicians of the Gypsy Jazz scene who recently passed away.
Yet another family of Hungarian Rroma refugees in Canada is facing potential deportation back to Hungary.
Bad …
The new mayor of Milan, in recognition that his election was also partly due to the vote of the local Rroma, is starting a new ini9tiative to resolve the issues this minority faces in the city. It aims at finding solution for the camps around the city as well as to promote the integration of Rroma in the city.
Good!
An interesting article explaining Eleie Wiesel’s views on Poland (a “Jewish Graveyard”) and on why Auschwitz was so much uniquely Jewish for him.
Even if one disagrees with him on this latter point, as the Holocaust is also a Rroma tragedy, he was and remains one of the voices of our conscience. May he rest in peace.
A Rroma view on “My big fat Gypsy Wedding” …
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