Vote No to the Racist Citizenship Referendum due on June 11 2004 –

by pc Mon Mar 29, 2004 01:42

Some people wanted to leave the adjective “racist” out of the campaign name

why?

by Snaglepus Mon Mar 29, 2004 03:53

Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh the marxist plays host to conferance with various socialist/green/marxist speakers who call for open borders to unite the workers etc... yawn.

I remember walking through the Tuol Soeng interogation center in cambodia and meeting these very types with thier che guevara t-shirts. It never dawns on them the hypocrisy of their actions.

by XY Mon Mar 29, 2004 04:11

As much as I disagree with Michael McDowell and the PDs on almost every subject I think the labelling of this campaign as an "anti-racism" campaign is way over the top.

That sort of nonsense should be left to rags like "The Sun" and "Ireland On Sunday" to peddle and its disappointing to see. The bill should be argued against on its merits and not on the assertions of hysterical political correct left wingers.

by anonymous coward Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:24

Notice: the authors above, 'not a racist', 'Snaglepus' and 'XY' are all pseudonyms = anonymous cowards

by YX Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:50

This referendum is racist.
It is an attempt to blame black babies for the state of the health service.

YX

by David Mon Mar 29, 2004 13:33

its not going to affect australians, japanese, americans, canadians or any wealthy businessmen, (even if these businessmen are war criminals) from coming to this country, only those who are living in poverty and oppression and fear and who need a chance to escape. the people who cause the poverty are not affected, only those who suffer from it.

by objective Mon Mar 29, 2004 13:59

"its not going to affect australians, japanese, americans, canadians or any wealthy businessmen, (even if these businessmen are war criminals) from coming to this country, only those who are living in poverty and oppression and fear and who need a chance to escape. the people who cause the poverty are not affected, only those who suffer from it"

Of course that's simply not true, a law on citizenship will apply to all non citizens, pretty straightforward.

It's a pity the hosts of the meeting could not put forward the reasons for opposition to the proposal rather than going on about racism. Citizenship and immigration are distinct issues. For examplpe in the U.S. many people are immigrants with green cards but not citizens. Nearly all states place citizenship on a higher plain than residency and have some tests i.e. living in the state for so long, passing a basic history test etc. (once more U.S. example). In otherwords citiszenship with its consequent rights and responsibilities is something that the state values. This is not the case here. Irish born children of any race are automatically entitled to citizenship. many other non national living here and paying taxes for 20 years are not entitled to it. This seems a strange system. The governemnt may be uising this to play the race card but there should at least be some analysis of the issues. If citizenship is to be given freely with no qualifications than thats fine but at least it should be clear, it would also suggest little point in having organised and distinct states if one can merely become a citizen of any state.

by Angryliberal - ucd Mon Mar 29, 2004 14:28

Not sure at the wording of the campaign.i can't speak for the motives of the referendum,but whether we like it or not this isn't a simple issue and dragging into simplification and black and white(such easy distinctions are closer to racism)will alienate and discourage people.People who you brand racists are less likely to listen.

by Tiocfaidh Armani Mon Mar 29, 2004 14:52

It was a very positive meeting so lets not get bogged down by words etc.

I think the campaign must address the section of the voter who is for the motion but purely on economical terms. We must address firmly the myths and misconceptions held by people. There is more to it than racism, so to simply say it is will be a big failure of the campaign IMO.

But, again, it was very positive and I hope the attitudes that are typical of people who use Indymedia does not manifest itself in this campaign. It really is do-or-die time, so put your petty squabbles about words aside and get campaigning!

by Mark Grehan - Residents Against Racism Mon Mar 29, 2004 15:38 residentsagainstracsim at eircom dot net 12a Brunswick place, Dublin 2 087 7974622 or 087 6662060

Lets be releastic here. This referendum will be designed to exclude from citizenship, those children whose parents are of a different ethnic origin. That is clearly racism. We have all heard enough from the "i'm not a racist but....." brigade.
We should also be conscious of the timing of this referendum, it is designed to deflect attention away from the failed policies of this government, and we should not be so naive as to think otherwise. Even if the referendum is not held on June 11th, FF/PD candidates will try and use it to deflect criticism.
As for statements that people don't want to be branded racists so lets not use the R word, pity about them. I believe that once we expose this referendum for what it is they will duly vote to defeat this horrendous legislation.

by Brendan Ferron - Sinn Fein Candidate, Tallaght South Mon Mar 29, 2004 15:40

A Chairde,
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who took part in this excellent meeting.
This referendum is about the creation of second-class citizenship in this country. My party has long campaigned against this in the six counties and we are not about to countenance it here in the 26 counties. In the coming elections all candidates should be sending out a clear and unambiguous message to the electorate, it should be one of opposition to the right wing and clearly racist agenda of the PD's and FF.
In my area problems with racism already exist. This referendum will fan the flames of hatred. Last week I, and my colleagues, singed the declaration on racism during the election campaign. All parties must not only sign up to this document but also must act in a manner consistent with its contents. This is clearly not happening in the PD's.
All of us must now rise to this challenge and defeat the bigots on this issue. Those who use race, as a means of bolstering flagging support for their political party must be taken on and defeated. This government has failed the people; they are now trying to blame non-nationals for their dismal record.
Fact.
Yes a housing crisis exists, not caused by Non-Nationals but by a failed government policy.
Fact.
Health service is in trouble. This is a result of bed closures and a general lack of funding. There are fewer beds now than there were in 1999.
Fact.
No Garda statistics show that non-nationals are disproportionately responsible for crime.

There can be no second-class citizenship.
Defeat this now!

by Tiocfaidh Armani Mon Mar 29, 2004 16:49

"As for statements that people don't want to be branded racists so lets not use the R word, pity about them. I believe that once we expose this referendum for what it is they will duly vote to defeat this horrendous legislation."

First of all well done on the meeting Saturday. It is nice to see someone showing the way.

I just wanted to make reference to what you said here. I know it a racist referendum, but we have to look at things tactically and going around just playing the racist card is not going to work. It should be one of the vocal points of the campaign, but it shouldn't be the ONLY one. There are many more that will need to be dealt with.

I believe there are a lot of "sub-conscious racists" out there, that may be racist, they just don't seem to realise it. They believe they have genuine fears, and unfortunately there is a lot like this, so to simply brand it racist IMHO will be self-defeatist and will not win these people around to our argument.

Again, well done.

by Davy Carlin - Chair {ARN} Mon Mar 29, 2004 16:57 carlindavid at hotmail dot com

As chair of the ARN whose steering committee was represented at the meeting, I would like to say well done to Residents Against Racism for organising this important meeting.

I am sure that the ARN would be only to willing to offer any support or solidarity on this issue.

Rather than starting a differing post, I will give a brief update of the ARN on this post

Firstly the related link above shows the local West Belfast ARN vigil held on Sat on the Falls road, you can also access pictures of the ARN Belfast central rally held in Jan via the link .

Brief ARN update - six branches have been established in Belfast and several outside with more hopefully to be set up soon.

This Thursday the Queens Anti-Racism Network branch and The Islamic Students Association of Northern Ireland have proposed that there be an anti-racism rally at Queens University - South Belfast. This especially important given still the continued intimidation of the minority ethnic communities.

This Rally will be held on Thursday 1st April - at 1pm (venue - Lanyon building Queens University. To help out or to find out more details e-mail - [email protected].

Speakers for the rally are,

Islamic students society of Northern Ireland
David Carlin, Chair, Anti Racism Network
Damien Kavanagh {Vice President {EDU} Queens University, Students Union.
Kerry Stinton, Queens University Branch ARN

The poster for this can be downloaded from the ARN website. Regards, D. Carlin

by Ronan Tue Mar 30, 2004 16:04

The following is a copy of a press release I have received. It was given to me by a person who attended the meeting on Saturday.

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum
12a Brunswick place, Dublin 2
email: [email protected]
087 7974622 or 087 6662060
Press release

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum set up

The Campaign Against the Racist Referendum was set up on Saturday 27th of March in the ATGWU building on Dublin’s Middle Abbey Street. The Campaign’s purpose is to defeat McDowells proposed citizenship referendum. The meeting on Saturday was attended by over 100 people, from all over Ireland, North and South, including members of more than 30 different organisations.

Spokesperson Mark Grehan said “The proclamation of the Irish Republic states that The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation, cherishing all the children of the nation equally. This proposed referendum will exclude from citizenship children whose parents are from a different ethnic background. This is an inherently racist attack on the rights of children. The Campaign Against the Racist Referendum has been set up in opposition to this referendum. We believe that this referendum should not take place, and if it does go ahead we believe it shouldn’t happen in conjunction with the local and European elections.”

“We believe that the government is attempting to use this referendum to divert attention away from their poor record over the last two years. In May 2002 Charlie Mc Creevy stated that no cutbacks were being planned in secret or otherwise. The government went on to implement a whole range of cutbacks in education and healthcare, having misled the Irish people. This referendum is their latest desperate attempt to turn attention away from their cutbacks record. We will not stand by and let this happen.”

ENDS

For further details please contact
Mark Grehan 087 7974622

by Mark Grehan - Residents Against Racism Wed Mar 31, 2004 00:17 residentsagainstracsim at eircom dot net 12a Brunswick place, Dublin 2 087 7974622 or 087 6662060

Just a quick clarification to Tiocfaidh Armani, you are right their is more points to make than just the racist argument and i was not arguing to exclude them, all arguments should be included.
Also thanks to Ronan for posting the Press Release. The minutes of the meeting will be posted soon. The next meeting is this saturday in the Teachers Club, Parnell square, Dublin at 3 o'clock. I hope to see as many of you there as possible.

by Hansel -UCD Fri Apr 02, 2004 02:39

suggestion:

Yes, the referendum may be racist, and we should say so if we believe it. BUT the point is that for strategic reasons, maybe we should not use the word so freely, because it does sound a bit tabloid-esque, and gives the impression that we are just idealistic 'hippies' or 'bleeding hearts' who don't have any grasp of the facts.

by Dave O'Gorman Tue Apr 06, 2004 14:53

Im sick and tired of hearing the constant politically correct bull that always seem to stem from any immigration related debates. This does not and should not be seen as a black/white issue, a common card played by left wing fascists. The fact of the matter is many people have a problem with an asylum system which is being abused. Sure, there are a small proportion of immigrants irrespective of race, colour or religion who have genuine fears and reasons to seek asylum in this country. they should be protected to the fullest extent under the pre-defined UNHCR guidelines. However I, as do many decent law-abiding citizens have a distinct problem with the almost flagrant abuse of the system by people who are no more than just economic migrants. it also irritates me, that the 'anti-racism' brigade will seem do defend these people irrespective of wrong doing simply because they have the privalege of being 'ethnic minorities'. These 'anti-racism' groups seem to have a fascination with ethnicity stemmed from the sub-saharan African region and rarely seem to be protesting on behalf of other major minorities such as the Chinese. I despise the fact that the maternity wards are being over-run by immigrant mothers at the expense of Irish mothers irrespective of their race, colour or religious beliefs.Multi-culturism on a small controlled case is good for a nation. It brings in new skills talents and diversity. Overly muticulturalising a society is bad when its at the expense of the indiginous people. Many ethnic groups transcending colours, such as aboriginals, native south africans, native indians and indeed even the english themselves have had or are in the process of having the cultures eroded as a result of enforced multiculturalism. I want to be able to travel to Congo, Vanuatu Spain, Laos or China and witness the culture of the country's inhabitants. Instead of the world becoming multicultural, it can be seen as becoming the same old monotonous monocultural existance in every corner of the world. Nations and cultures are being eroded not only due to globalisation and american consumerism but also due to enforced multiculturism en masse. This shouldnt be seen as an irish teenager lambasting other cultures that are not Irish, I would defend any nation in the world irrespective of 'how the people look'.
An argument often used to defend mass immigration can be about how the Irish have emigrated in droves to the United States. This is of course accurate, but may I ask what single ethnicity in the entire globe is not represented in the United States? The country has been built on immigration, it lost its culture as a consequence of primarily British colonialism, which savagely and unrepentantly destroyed the rich Native Ammerican culture. Why did the irish have to emmigrate there in the 1800's? Again a direct by-product of British Colonialism. The British, (not white people as retarded black/white race card leftisis might argue) created the politically correct world in which we now live. They indulged samelessly in the horrific slave trade. How many native Irish plundered and colonised the peoples of the world?As far as debates like this should be orchastrated, they should be based on the actions of a nation rather than an entire race.

by Fergal Tue Apr 06, 2004 18:39

A culture is a living thing. Irish culture is vastly different from what it was at, say the foundation of the state, and that can hardly be put down to immigrants. The idea that every race should be or can be frozen in time and kept pure is simply at odds with what happens out in the real world. No one was interested in keeping cultures preserved until the rise of the British Empire, and to a lesser extent the French, when interesting natives were treated like museum pieces. A culture that isn't changing is dead. A monocultural world won't be created by migration. The true danger comes from a centralised media creating a bland global "culture" and feeding it to the world. Migration can cause confrontations and frictions which, I believe can be positive as well as negative. It is from the confrontation of differing world views that living culture emerges (hence anglo-Irish literature, for e.g.), which can actually challenge the global corporate "culture".

The reason so many asylum seekers aren't legit is that the government, after many years, still have no immigration policy. This referendum isn't a solution, and will needlessly stir up the sort of people who need the slightest excuse to air their xenophobic views. What we need to do is:
1. Vote No, obviously
2. Be very vocal in debate, emphasising the benefits of a more diverse Ireland. Don't just call the other side racists (even though some of them no doubt are), but make the positive case against racism. Highlight how Ireland has benefitted from immigration. Make people proud of our multiculturalism, rather than trying to make them ashamed of our racism. You only lose votes when you scold people.
Make the Yes side look fun and vibrant and outward looking, something worth identifying with. Then you won't have to say the other side are dull, drab, afraid of the future and the outside world, because the comparison will make that obvious.

by Conor Wed Apr 07, 2004 12:48

I would be of the view that the word "racist" should be removed from the title if the campaign is to be successful. My reasons are twofold:

Firstly, although there may (or may not) be a racist motivation behind the referendum, many individuals believe there to be a validity to the economic and pragmatic arguments proffered in it's favour. While this is understandable, given the wealth of misinformation bandied about, it would be unfair and counterproductive to term anyone currently in favour of the referendum as racist, which is the implication of the campaign title as it stands. Obviously, these arguments can be exposed as factually incorrect, but only if the campaign allows itself to be heard. Nobody likes being called a racist, whether the epithet is deserved or not.

Secondly, if (and I mean "if" - I don't know the intent of the campaign) the CARR is to be an umbrella group for any anti-referendum groups and individuals, it should acknowledge that there are those who oppose the referendum on other grounds, unrelated to the issue of racism. For my part, I haven't felt the need to conclude whether it's racist or not, simply because I oppose it for different reasons. I would like very much to campaign actively against it, but I would be loath to associate myself with the CARR for this reason.

I would opine that it's neither necessary nor desirable to include the word "racist" in the campaign title, and should be dropped.
I do not agree that this is a petty matter - the credibility of the campaign, particularly in the early stages, is at stake.

Is it too late to reconsider?


Personally (and I readily admit mine to be a minority view), I don't think it's necessary to drag up issues of immigration, deportation, etc, since these are issues which can (and should) be dealt with by legislation. However, in removing the right to citizenship by place of birth, the rights of the individual become dependent on one parentage. I would have thought that one of the principles of a republic is that every individual is born equal. There's probably a name for a system where you inherit your rights from your parents, but I don't much fancy it being brought in here. That, I believe, is why this referendum must be defeated.

Does this make me racist?


Incidentally - is it possible to "abuse" one's rights?
Is it an "abuse" to exercise one's right to, say, remain silent if arrested? Or to own property?
Or is citizenship the only right one can "abuse"?

by John Meehan - CARR Tue Apr 13, 2004 14:53

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR)

Minutes of a Meeting held @ 3.00pm on April 10 2004 in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

Chairperson : Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh
Minutes : John Meehan

About 40 people attended the meeting.

1. Picket at Progressive Democrats Headquarters/ New Activities :

The picket, held on Tuesday April 6, got good media attention – for example a large photograph of the event was printed in the Irish Times on the following day; many other examples of mainstream media coverage were noted.

See extensive coverage of the event – including photographs – @ www.indymedia.ie

Discussion focused on various proposed activities we should organise in next few weeks; Ideas discussed included :

Picketing the Dáil on April 21 when the referendum bill will be debated – this activity was agreed – further details – for example time, format, speakers and so on – to be discussed during the week, and discussed again at next Saturday’s meeting.

Supporting and Endorsing May Day Events - Another Europe is Possible (AEIP), Grassroots Network, and so on.

We agreed to come back to proposed May Day activities at next Saturday’s meeting.

It was reported that a "Parade of Innocents" demonstration is being discussed by a number of people from the artistic community (the title takes its inspiration from a very large “Parade of Innocence” street theatre demonstration held in Dublin, November 1989, calling for the release of the Birmingham Six, and welcoming home the Guildford Four)

2. Leafleting Sessions :

A report was made on leafleting done on the previous Tuesday.

A CARR leaflet to be distributed @ Easter Commemorations was agreed - volunteers to help with this work agreed to contact Mark Grehan afterwards.




After discussion it was agreed we would organise the following regular leafleting sessions :

Every Tuesday 5.00-7.00pm @ Tara Street DART station
Every Friday 5.00-6.00pm @ Busáras, Store Street
Every Saturday 12.30-2pm, the Bank of Ireland Westmoreland Street @ the Residents Against Racism stall.

It was also agreed to continue meeting @ 3pm each Saturday in the Teachers Club.

We will continue to use the existing Residents Against Racism literature until we agreed a main Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) leaflet and large numbers are printed (see below)

(If you would like to organise leafleting in your area, or distribute literature at a meeting, workplace, etc phone or text 0877974622)

3. Activities Outside Dublin :

A brief information report was given.

4. Report on Press Conference/ Text of Main CARR Leaflet :

A Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) Press Conference was supported by a number of public representatives and organizations – for example Ivana Bacik, Joe Higgins TD, Green Party, Sinn Féin, and so on – and received good coverage.

Some of the drafts for a new CARR leaflet included a proposal to change the name of the campaign. It was agreed to discuss the draft texts, and leave the issue of name change for discussion at the end of the meeting (see below).

Most of the drafts were circulated on the e-mail discussion list.
Drafts were introduced by Joe Kelly and Dónal Mac an Earraigh (both had a lot of text in common)
Extensive discussion took place.
Issues raised included :

Producing leaflet in Colour? Could we cover the Cost?
The need to check that the facts we circulate are accurate; Continuity of design and logo to be maintained for a series of leaflets.

What should we say about Deportations?

It was agreed we would comment on European Union comparisons; point out that laws in 61 states - including United States of America, Canada, and New Zealand – grant citizenship to all people born in the country.

Immigrants can't go outside the state while awaiting a decision on their status – this means, for example, that if women leave the Irish State to have an abortion, they run the risk of being denied the right to return afterwards.

Seek withdrawal of Dept of Justice briefing document that made untrue statements about immigrants and maternity hospitals;

It was agreed that photographs should be of real Irish kids, and more than two.

It was agreed to base a final wording on on Dónal Mac an Earraigh draft.

Volunteers formed a sub-committee which agreed to meet during the week and finish off the process. The deadline for production was set @ Wednesday April 14.


5. Finance and Fund-Raising :

Joe Kelly reported on :
a) A sponsored cycle on Sunday April 25 2004 from the General Post Office to Dublin Airport and back (25km). Sponsorship Sheets were distributed.

b) Also a TABLE QUIZ will take place @ 8.00pm on Thursday April 29 in the Teachers' Club.

c) Political Parties’ Affiliation
Congratulations to the Workers’ Solidarity Movement for being the first political party (of many, we hope) to pay up

An Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) stressed the importance of complying with legal regulations for the duration of the referendum campaign – it was agreed to follow this up and discuss again nest week.

6. Outreach :

An outreach group has not got off the ground yet. However, various organizations have been contacted.

A Press Conference by non-national candidates in the Local Government is scheduled for Tuesday April 13 – the referendum on citizenship will be raised.

Preparations were agreed for distribution of Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) Leaflets @ the various Teachers' Union Conferences.

7. Administration :

Some options for the renting/use/borrowing of office space were noted; a report on progress (if any) will be given to the next regular meeting of the CARR.

8. The Name of the Campaign :

As agreed earlier, this was discussed. A vote was taken.

24 people voted to retain the name Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR).
Six people voted for “All Children are Equal”

After that Ten people voted for something other than Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR).

A number of people abstained.

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) remains the name of the campaign.

The next regular meeting the campaign takes place on Saturday April 17 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.


To learn more about the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/againsttheracistreferendum

by namechange Tue Apr 13, 2004 14:59

This group is going nowhere fast. All it consists of at the moment are a few middle class liberal types like John Meehan. No party will actually get active in the organisation as long as it keeps that counter productive name.

by Brid Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:30

This referendum is most certainly not racist as it only discriminates against 'citizen tourists' those who come here for a few days to give birth so that their child will be an Irish citizen, abusing the generous legal right that we alone in the EU offer. It demeans what Irish citizenship stands for, it is not a token which can be handed out at random based on a mere geographical technicality. Those who wish to make Ireland their home can do so through the naturalisation process. We have a responsobility to close this back door into the European Union, to allow for the proposed common immigration policy. Those who are taking refuge in the racism issue are failing to argue against the core issue of this debate, that citizenship through birth abuses the Irish legal system.

by F Fri Apr 16, 2004 20:21 newsforthedeaf at yahoo dot com

The live undead horde are massing

First it was the 'welfare tourist'.
Then '15,000 anarchists' shambled onstage
Now it's the turn of 'citizen tourists' .

EU Enlargement - Attack of the Zombies

Lock your door
Keep the neighbours away
Talk to yourself
Stare into your dream machine

Anyone interested in filming a 'zombie bloc' over the mayweekend?
Drop us an e-mail
Come
Join us
More brainzzzzz

by John Meehan Tue Apr 20, 2004 01:00

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR)

Minutes of a Meeting held @ 4.30pm on April 17 2004 in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

Chairperson : Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh
Minutes : John Meehan

About 35 people attended the meeting.

1. Leafleting Sessions :

Sessions went well this week

They continue @ the following times :

Every Tuesday 5.00-7.00pm @ Tara Street DART station
Every Friday 5.00-6.00pm @ Busáras, Store Street
Every Saturday 12.30-2.00pm, the Bank of Ireland Westmoreland Street @ the Residents Against Racism stall.
Volunteers also offered to cover Heuston Station on Fridays, 5.00-7.00pm
Phone or text 0877974622 and make sure someone is there with leaflets!

(If you would like to organise leafleting in your area, or distribute literature at a meeting, workplace, etc phone or text 0877974622)

2. News of Activities Outside Dublin :

a) Reported that Dr Jerry Crowley TD (Independent, Mayo) has called for No Vote; article published in medical journal
b) Noted that the William Thompson Weekend takes place in Cork during the May Day Bank Holiday weekend; some CARR supporters from Dublin will be attending, and should take the chance to circulate information about the campaign
c) A South East Social Forum takes place in Waterford on the weekend of Friday May 14 to Sunday May 16 – CARR has been invited to participate.
d) In Galway two meetings have been organised separately for people to organise for a No Vote; on Monday April 19 a “Galway Against the Referendum” meeting has been called by Orla Ni Chomhrai; on Friday April 23 a Galway branch of the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) is to be launched. Differing views were expressed about this.




3. Report on Press Work/Text of Main CARR Leaflet :
• A Final Draft was approved with some minor changes e.g. the name of campaign has to appear on the leaflet.
It is hoped that several thousand copies the agreed leaflet will be available by the end of the week.
People who worked in the media group were congratulated for their hard work!

• A discussion took place, among the ideas discussed were : Newspaper Advertisements; Running Press Conferences and Media Events with different themes (for example : stories from people who came to Ireland for a variety of reasons);

4. Outreach :
• The outreach group met on the previous Thursday; everyone at the meeting was asked to fill in a form with detailed questions about groups and individuals that could be contacted for support ; people interested in finding out more about the outreach group, or who wish to participate in this work, can subscribe to an e-mail group : [email protected]
• The likely position to be taken by the Labour Party was discussed; (the position will be clear when the Dáil meets to discuss the referendum bill on April 21.
• Mark Grehan reported that CARR supporters should assemble @ 6.30pm on Wednesday April 21 outside the Dáil on Wednesday April 21 to protest against the referendum bill; Speakers will be organised; noted it would be a good idea to invite people and organizations which have not yet taken a position against the Government proposal, as well as people who have already participated in CARR.

5. Finance, Fund-Raising, Administration :

a) Joe Kelly reported. A sponsored cycle takes place on Sunday April 25 2004 @ 12 noon from the General Post Office to Dublin Airport and back (25km). Sponsorship Sheets were distributed. They have also been circulated on the CARR e-mail list.
b) A TABLE QUIZ will take place @ 8.00pm on Thursday April 29 in the Teachers’ Club. €10 & €5 (concessions) agreed as admission prices.
c) A Draw is being organized
d) Political Parties’ Affiliation : Sinn Féin congratulated on its decision to affiliate, its offer of continuing support, and its decision to make a contribution.
e) A Bank Account has been set up : Nº : 10589963 Bank of Ireland, Westland Row, Dublin 2.
f) People who have information relevant to the campaign suitable for a website should e-mail JD [email protected]
g) Legal regulations apply for the duration of the referendum campaign - a sub-group of John Meehan, Justin Moran and Mark Grehan agreed to liaise about this, and make a full report to the meeting next week

6. May Day :
It was agreed CARR should try and cover many different events, and accept invitations to speak. It was noted that many foreign journalists will be in town, and we should brief them about the Government’s unacceptable referendum restricting citizenship rights. It was agreed we would finalize details next week.

7. Any Other Business :

a) Information was circulated about a possible legal challenge to the Government’s plans.
b) The Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) will meet every Saturday @ 3.00pm in the Teachers’ Club in the run-up to the referendum on Friday June 11 – (different arrangements might be necessary during bank holiday weekends)
c) As the votes will be counted electronically, it is likely the referenudm result will be announced a couple of hours after the closing of the polling stations; CARR supporters are invited to the Teachers’ Club on the evening of June 11 to “drown their sorrows” or “celebrate a famous victory”.

The next regular meeting the campaign takes place on Saturday April 24 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

To learn more about the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/againsttheracistreferendum

by John Meehan - CARR Tue May 04, 2004 17:07

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR)

Minutes of a meeting of CARR held on Saturday April 24 2004 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
About 30-35 people attended.
Chair : Joe Kelly
Minutes : John Meehan


1. Leaflets - Co-ordination of Production and Distribution :

Some co-ordination problems were discussed - one leafleting session at Tara Street Station did not occur because nobody had made sure to bring along leaflets. It was again stressed that people doing leafleting sessions should phone or text Mark Grehan - 087 7974622 - people can either collect leaflets themselves, or check that someone else is bringing them along.
A separate problem arose at Heuston Station : some leafleters were advised that the station was "private property" and they could not distribute literature on the premises; others were able to do this work without any hindrance.
Emma volunteered to co-ordinate future leafleting @ Tara Street DART Station.
Michael Gallagher volunteered to co-ordinate future leafleting at Heuston Station.
It was agreed that CARR supporters would distribute the new leaflet at the numerous May Day Events.

a) Cork :
Also noted that Des Derwin and John Meehan would be attending the Annual William Thompson School in Cork during the May Day weekend; they agreed to bring bulk copies of the leaflet to this event, make contact with potential CARR supporters, and report to the next Dublin meeting.

b) Galway :
A Galway Branch of the CARR is now operating.

c) May Day Arrangements :
Because of the May Day Events on Saturday May 1, it was agreed to depart from the regular schedule, and hold the next Dublin CARR Meeting on Tuesday May 4 @ 7.30pm in the Teachers Club - we return to the normal schedule of Saturday Afternoons @ 3.00pm from Saturday May 8 onwards. Aindrias agreed to write a special CARR "recruitment" leaflet for distribution @ the May Day events.

2. Structure/Agenda Future Meetings; Co-ordination of Local Meetings :
Cian O'Callaghan proposed that, from now on, smaller groups focused on particular areas - for example Outreach, leafleting, etc meet simultaneously and separately at the start of the meeting; then everyone can come together, reports can be made, and information can be exchanged.

In addition it was agreed that we should plan a ten minute introduction to the meeting when everyone is present; the brief of the presenter is to deliver an overall political introduction on how the campaign is going, to contextualise the debate, and so on.

Brendan Young agreed to take this on at the next meeting(s). Ian Hovelt also volunteered to help with this work.

These proposals were agreed.

The meeting decided that we need a basic approval/co-ordination mechanism for the setting up of CARR branches in other parts of Dublin, and in other regions of the state. People should report to the regular Dublin meetings on initiatives to set up CARR branches elsewhere - invite people to distribute the main leaflet, welcome comments and feedback, and so on.

People should also report on the holding of Local Dublin meetings associated with CARR.

3. Report of April 21 Evening Picket of Dáil / Media Coverage :

Noted that a well-attended demonstration happened - unfortunately it coincided with a very heavy rainstorm! TD's from across the spectrum spoke in support of the CARR Event - Labour Party, Green, Sinn Féin, the Mayo TD Jerry Cowley, and so on. JD has posted an extensive photo report on Indymedia.ie Mainstream media coverage was poor; the need for systematic personal contacts with journalists in the future was stressed.

RTÉ : Noted that Michael McDowell was interviewed on the Pat Kenny Radio programme; it was suggested that CARR should download and analyse content of this broadcast programme, as the Minister is reported to have made many untruthful statements which were not substantially challenged by the programme presenter.

ICCL Briefing : this document, written by Aisling Reidy, was circulated on the CARR e-mail list. It was agreed that CARR should use this document, perhaps in conjunction with other texts, as basic background information on the referendum.

4. Outreach :

Anne reported for the Outreach Group. (Several people attended an outreach group meeting at the end of the main meeting - a detailed report will be circulated.) Some points to be followed up and noted : the singers Rodrigo and Gabriela indicated a willingness to support our work; we attempt to get many public figures from different areas to make statements in support of our position on the referendum; noted that people coming to CARR meetings for the first time could, if they wish, download and read previous minutes and documents from the e-mail group website. It was also agreed to distribute hard copies of minutes at each meeting.

5. Finance Issues :
Mark read out details of the CARR Bank Account. Congratulations to the SWP for paying a political party affiliation fee - Sinn Féin are in the process of doing likewise. Mark has tickets ready for a draw. Agreed, in principle, that CARR needs to produce referendum posters - the cost works out at €6 per item. Sinn Féin have offered to distribute CARR literature - agreed we should seek meeting(s) with directors of elections from various parties, and establish exactly which areas they can cover for CARR; CARR could then cover remaining areas. Noted that the main SF distribution for the European Elections is to be done in mid-May.

6. Table Quiz / Sponsored Cycle :
Brief reports were presented on arrangements - agreed people attending the quiz could pick up the new leaflets.

7. Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) :
A brief discussion took place; agreed to seek further information.

Next Meeting to take place on Tuesday May 4 @ 7.30pm in the Teachers' Club.

CARR meetings will resume the regular schedule of Meetings @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club on Saturday May 8.

by Register2Vote Tue May 04, 2004 18:53

If you are not registered for the Referendum you can register before the 24th of May by applying to go on the Suplementary Register.

If you have changed address you can also apply to the local authority you are now living in.

It's possible to get all the relevant forms on the Internet on the Local Authority websites. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown have a good website www.dlrcoco.ie (all forms are the same in every area)

You will need to fill out form, go to Garda Station with proof of address and ID, and then get form stamped by Garda, then send it to your local council by 24 MAY 2004.

It's also possible to go on the postal voting and special voters supplementary register.

by John Meehan - CARR Thu May 06, 2004 23:14

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR)

Minutes of a Meeting of the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) held on Tuesday May 4 2004 @ 7.45pm in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

About 28 people attended.

Chair : Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh
Minutes : John Meehan

As agreed at the previous meeting, a new format for the meetings was operated. We began with an introduction placing the issue in a broader context, then broke up into smaller groups discussing specific parts of the campaign - for example, outreach.

Then everybody came back together for reports from the smaller groups.


1. General Introduction :
Ian Hovelt introduced.

Points covered included :

The proposed referendum on June 11 is definitely going ahead : there is no chance it will be stopped or delayed in the Oireachtas.

The Referendum Commission sets out regulations covering the posting of literature about the referendum, staffing polling stations with representatives of campaigns and political parties, being represented at the count itself, and certain financial rules. The closing date for registration is May 14

Ian presented a summary of an Irish Council for Civil Liberties Briefing [written by Aisling Reidy, and circulated on the campaign's e-mail discussion list].

2. The meeting then broke up into groups dealing with Outreach, Media, Activities, and Legal/Fund-Raising.

3. Outreach :

Minutes of the Outreach sub-group follow – people who attended the other sub-groups may wish to circulate their own minutes.

Eight people attended this sub-group.

A Database for the campaign is almost complete – a trade union list has been recently added. It should all be up and running by end of the week.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) campaigns officer, Garret, attended this meeting. Noted that USI voted at its annual congress to oppose the referendum, is calling for a No vote, and will continue to work with CARR on the issue. Among the proposals discussed were :

USI contacting other youth organisations, including representatives of second level students, and see if a common statement could be issued calling for a No Vote, organise press and media publicity on this basis and so on.

USI providing Administrative help to the campaign.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) will be working closely with the Officers of University College Dublin on the referendum.

Trade Unions :

Mary Muldowney and Alan MacSímóin have written an article directed at members of the SIPTU trade union – people could adapt it for other unions. Noted that the ASTI president Pat Cahill agrees with calling for a No Vote on the referendum.

The IMPACT conference takes place on from Wednesday to Friday May 19-21 next in Tralee – a discussion took place on making sure delegates are lobbied to support the CARR position; no motion about the referendum is on the conference agenda (the deadline for submitting motions had passed before the Government announcement of the referendum); if possible, the campaign might look at holding a public meeting on the Thursday night, hopefully in conjunction with supporters based in Tralee.

Churches :
Attempts are under way to approach various churches to take a stand against the referendum.

Non-Governmental Organisations :
NGO's have been contacted. Noted that Aisling Reidy will be speaking at a May 21 “Integrating Ireland” event in Dublin on the referendum.

On the same day, the National Women’s Council of Ireland is meeting.

ActiveLink may offer temporary website space to the campaign.

The Community Platform is holding meetings on the elections and the referendum – CARR speakers arranged at some of them.

Activity Outside Dublin :

The group was told that a Dundalk branch of the campaign will be set up within the next two weeks.

Reported that JM and DD brought several copies of the main CARR leaflet to Cork during the May Day weekend – a Cork Branch of the campaign will be established on Thursday May 6.

A Limerick Branch will be established on Friday week.


General :
Christy Moore concert next Saturday @ the RDS Concert Hall – 8.00pm.

A Letter from the campaign will be posted out early next week to several organisations and individuals – TC agreed to edit the draft.

4. Report Backs from Sub-groups :

a) Outreach :
See above

b) Media :

Mary Muldowney reported. A series of themed press conferences - six so far – will be organised.

Agreed to work on getting our point of view expressed on local radio stations.

Noted that Waterford Trades Council has agreed to sign on to the campaign. It was agreed that access to an office would be an advantage to the campaign – but at the moment that is beyond budget.

c) Activities :

Leaflets - JK volunteered to transport and deliver them, on request. Noted we should try and cover events in Croke Park.

Noted that the campaign needs clear and accurate information from Sinn Féin on its very welcome offer to help with distribution of CARR literature. Once we know the areas SF can and will cover, the campaign can attempt to fill in the gaps.

If other political parties are willing to help with this work, that would be very helpful. Noted that the Irish Socialist Network (ISN) had offered to cover the Finglas area.

Agreed to re-circulate details for leafleting :
People doing leafleting sessions should phone or text Mark Grehan - 087 7974622 - people can either collect leaflets themselves, or check that someone else is bringing them along.

email requests to [email protected]

Indicate the areas/streets/counties that you can leaflet and give a rough approximation of how many leaflets you need. Also, if people are in organizations or community groups see if your group would distribute the leaflets locally as well. People could also send an address and the leaflets will be posted.

Regular leafleting sessions :
Every Tuesday 5.00-7.00pm @ Tara Street DART station
Every Friday 5.00-6.00pm @ Busáras, Store Street
Every Saturday 12.30-2pm, the Bank of Ireland Westmoreland Street @ the Residents Against Racism stall.

The group was divided on whether or not to hold a public meeting. This was discussed; Paul Dillon agreed to formulate a more detailed proposal, and come back to the next meeting with suggested theme, date, venue, proposed speakers etc to next Saturday’s meeting, and we will resume the discussion and make a decision.

Proposals to hold a public demonstration – or some other forms of more limited street theatre – for example a march of gagged asylum seekers – were discussed. Once again, it was agreed to resume the discussion at next Saturday’s meeting and make a decision.

CARR would like to produce referendum posters - the cost for good quality sturdy posters works out at €6 per item. We may need to produce cheaper versions made from thin cardboard, vulnerable to bad weather!

Noted that new Corporation rules hinder the right to mount posters. Budgetary constraints may prevent us from producing posters.

Mary Muldowney reported that a local group/meeting may be set up in the Stoneybatter area.

Agreed that members of the Russian community in Dublin are very welcome to attend the next meeting.



5. Finance / Fund-Raising :

Brief reports were given on successful sponsored cycle and table quiz.

Agreed to promote draw – tickets €10 each – and continue with present closing date.

Agreed to investigate possibility of a musical gig, and report back at next Saturday’s meeting.

6. Introduction for Next Meeting :

Eoin O’Mahony agreed to prepare an introduction for the next meeting. Agreed to continue with the new format.


CARR meets again @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club on Saturday May 8, and every following Saturday (same time date and venue) until the referendum is held on Friday June 11 - all are welcome to attend.


Information Note on Cork :

A Cork group was established – more than 20 activists attended the first meeting on Thursday May 7. Members of the group will be in Dublin next Saturday, and would like to collect more copies of the new leaflet. Some people were critical of the leaflet’s contents.

I suggested they contact the Dublin group, and indicate any changes they would like to see in the literature, or propose alternatives.

The Cork group will also be producing its own literature.

-jm

by John Meehan - CARR Wed May 12, 2004 01:16

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR)

Minutes of a Meeting of the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) held on Saturday May 8 2004 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

About 28 people attended.

Chair : Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh
Minutes : John Meehan

As agreed at the previous meeting, a new format for the meetings was operated. We began with an introduction placing the issue in a broader context, then broke up into smaller groups discussing specific parts of the campaign - for example, outreach.

Then everybody came back together for reports from the smaller groups.


1. General Introduction :
Eoin O’Mahony introduced for about ten minutes.
Points raised included:
Not much has ad appeared in the mainstream media about the citizenship referendum during the past week. Other issues dominated – especially the details of USA and British troops torturing prisoners and killing innocent civilians in Iraq.
The asylum seeker groups in Ireland are very anxious to help organise street protests and demonstrations.
May 24 is the deadline deadline for voter registration.
Experience of previous referendums is that a group which has put up many posters gets better mainstream media access.


2. The meeting then broke up into groups dealing with Outreach, Media, Activities, and Legal/Fund-Raising.

3. Outreach :

Minutes of the Outreach sub-group follow – people who attended the other sub-groups may wish to circulate their own minutes.

Eight people attended this sub-group.

We worked from the last minutes (May 4) checking on progress made and deciding where to go next. We agreed to stay behind after the meeting with any other willing volunteers and post out a very large number of letters seeking support for our campaign.

Tony has written to the Catholic Bishops on our behalf; he will be sending letters to CORI this week, as well as sending out letters to other churches.

Progress was reported on youth and student work.

Des Derwin reported that on Tuesday May 11 a Motion calling for a No Vote on the referendum is going to the Dublin Council of Trade Unions. A CARR speaker may be invited to the next DCTU meeting. A DCTU position does not oblige constituent unions to take the same position – however it helps activists raise the issue elsewhere in the movement.

The following motion was passed unanimously :

"This Council condemns both the timing and the content of the proposed Referendum to change the right to citizenship as contained in the Constitution of our Country.

The timing of the Referendum on the same day as the Local and European Elections is designed to boost the appeal of the government parties by pandering to the latent instincts of people who may be persuaded that the country is being overrun by asylum seekers. There is no factual or statistical evidence to prove this.

We therefore call on all trade unionists to Vote NO on June 11th."

We will work on getting news of the motion circulated in the press. People suggested that a trade union press conference would be a good idea – idea to be raised with the media group, which is probably already working along these lines. Noted that Waterford Trades Council has already called for a No Vote. An emergency motion is going before the IMPACT conference (May 19-21 in Tralee).

The motion reads :

Boards and Voluntary Agencies Branch proposes the following emergency motion for conference :

”This conference calls on IMPACT to publicly voice its opposition to the June 11th Referendum on Citizenship and establish a campaign to call on its members to vote "no" in the referendum”

Eoin O’Mahony reported on putting CARR material on ActiveLink website – John Meehan agreed to e-mail Eoin existing CARR material.

Note also that most CARR material is published on the website www.indymedia.ie

John Meehan agreed to collate a calendar of events relevant to the referendum.

The following important events were noted:

Friday May 14 : Labour Party No campaign to be launched in Galway with participation from Michael D Higgins and Ivana Bacik.

Wednesday May 19 (provisional) media launch of “Lawyers Against the Amendment”.

Saturday May 22, morning, Seminar on Legal and Human Rights Aspects of the Referendum : participants will include William Binchy and Ivana Bacik.

As the meeting ran out of time we were starting to discuss : setting up a Speakers' Bureau for CARR, so the campaign is represented at various events. We specially need contacts with sympathetic doctors. We should investigate organising delegations to go and meet groups such as the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and lobby them to take a position. This is a natural follow-up to the outreach letters that have been posted far and wide. We agreed to continue this discussion during the week, and develop strategy at the next meeting.

4. Report Backs from Sub-groups :
We all met together to hear sub-group reports.
a) Outreach :
as above.

b) Media :
Mary Muldowney reported. Agreed to liaise with Lawyers Media launch. Group will organise Photo opportunites of its own in the City Centre – we will also try to raise the referendum at ministerial engagements. Agreed to focus, if possible, on Ireland V Romania international soccer match (May 26) to get broader support for the Vote No position.

Local radio stations are being approached in a systematic way - briefing notes being prepared.

c) Minutes of the Activities Group (written by Tom O’Connor)

Leafleting:

Political Parties: Sinn Féin had already agreed to distribute our leaflet with theirs in the European Dublin Constituency. The Green Party will distribute them via local candidates, and only took a small quantity so far.

Agreed a) to approach the Labour Party to distribute our leaflets, and to ask them to distribute outside Dublin, perhaps in the Leinster EU Constituency – AS; to ask the Greens to distribute outside Dublin, perhaps in the South EU Constituency – TO’C also Alex who has contacts with Greens in Cork; and in the case of all three parties to keep an eye on their distribution, trying to find out on a weekly basis what has been done – AS, TOC & MG [who was asked subsequently]

Stations: Tara St short of person power on Tuesdays; RAR doing well on Sat 12-2pm at Bank of Ireland at Westmoreland St – run out of leaflets and would welcome help.

Demonstration: We’ll ask plenary to organise a big demo march late in campaign, encourage parents to bring children, therefore a short walk

Also aim for 1 or 2 photo opportunities per week like with protest at PD HQ. Suggestions: FF, PD, FG HQs; Dept Enterprise & Employment; Dept Justice… & Dept of Health & Social Welfare. Bring kids. In conjunction with media group.

Posters: Agreed to ask plenary session to spend a fixed amount on posters. We keep putting this off. Cheap card, but well designed

Current Leaflets: We discussed people’s reaction to these. It might be the case that on the street people prefer the black&white ‘flat’ leaflet and are reluctant to take the yellow&white glossy. Perhaps we should retain latter for doors and use former for streets

Public Meeting: Discussed but no firm conclusion. Put to plenary. Possibly use series of specialist (e.g. lawyers; doctors/nurses; artists) press conference by following up with small public meeting in a pub a few days after the conference, using same specialists.

Stickers ; P Dillon to investigate.

d) Finance / Fund-Raising :

Ian Hovelt reported. Patricia McCarthy has offered to run a quiz in the inner city area. Raffle tickets are being promoted. Sponsors may be interested in supporting the campaign. People might like to raise funds by seeking sponsorship for running in the Women's mini-marathon – happening soon!


5. Demonstration in Dublin Citty Centre:

Demonstration in Dublin City Centre agreed for Saturday 29 May. The route is : Start at the Central Bank in Dame Street, and proceed to the General Post Office in O’Connell Street. Agreed to start at 1pm. Estimate budget for posters : €120 for 1000 items.

Asylum seekers confined in Mosney may be interested in marching to Dublin on this occasion.

6. Registration of Campaign :

John Meehan introduced this item, and proposed that registration seemed necessary because the campaign has a bank account and some assets – pitifully small, it must be stressed, compared with our needs. Some discussion followed : following a vote, it was agreed to start a registration process.

7. Public Meeting :

Paul Dillon Public proposed holding a Public Meeting towards the end of the campaign in Dublin City Centre. Provisional date agreed is June 3 Venue, time speakers and so no to be confirmed. Ivana Bacik has indicated agreement to speak, if invited by the campaign. Further details to be finalised at the next CARR Meeting.



8. Introduction for Next Meeting :

NB
A volunteer is needed to prepare an introduction for the next meeting – we forgot to nominate somebody at the end of the meeting – any suggestions? We agreed to continue with the new format.

CARR meets again @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club on Saturday May 15, and every following Saturday (same time date and venue) until the referendum is held on Friday June 11 - all are welcome to attend.
Different arrangements may be made on weekend of planned May 29 Dublin City Centre Demonstration, and on the following bank holiday weekend (Saturday June 5 to Monday June 7)
Finally : re putting together a calendar of events from now till June11 relevant to the citizenship referendum : please e-mail me details of any events you think should be listed : include the “5 W’s” : Who, Where, When, What, and Why. Please do not clog up the main list : mail me : [email protected]

If any new groups are being set up, especially outside Dublin, people might consider providing contact details.
Thanks to all who are working hard on this campaign.

by John Meehan Wed May 19, 2004 02:02

Minutes of a Meeting of the Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR) held on Saturday May 15 2004 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

About 28 people attended.

Chair : Mary Muldowney
Minutes : John Meehan

1. General Introduction :

I Hovelt introduced with an outline of the legal rules imposed on all referendum campaigns that have a bank account and some assets – CARR comes within these rules. A registration process will be initiated.

2. We broke up into groups dealing with Outreach, Media and Activities

3. Outreach :

Minutes of the Outreach sub-group follow – people who attended the other sub-groups may wish to circulate their own minutes. Seven people attended the meeting.

Trade Unions : Des Derwin will re-draft a letter going to unions. (See previous minutes for a Dublin Council of Trade Unions motion opposing the referendum, and an emergency motion submitted to the IMPACT Conference in Tralee (May 19-21). The Galway Council of Trade Unions has also passed a motion against the referendum.

Unemployed Centres have been contacted. Some Tralee outreach work has been done
Responses to the main outreach letter are coming back to Mark – noted that we need to ensure systematic replies and follow-ups. The Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) is doing a number of things on its own, and in conjunction with other groups, about the referendum. We established that Piaras Mac Einri is supportive of our campaign, and is willing to help. The National Women’s Council of Ireland meets next Friday to decide its policy on the referendum. Juliet Bressan has done a letter for doctors and other people in the health sector.

Noted that in the Cabra area of Dublin, Sinn Féin members have started their canvass, and are not distributing CARR literature. It seems likely CARR will be obliged to organise this job itself in Cabra, to the best of its abilities. A letter has been sent to St Finbar’s GAA Club, requesting use of the premises for a CARR public meeting on the referendum early in June.

An Editorial in the Star newspaper called for a No Vote;

The campaign has ensured that people involved with the Irish soccer team have been made aware of the racist referendum – Ireland plays Romania on Thursday May 27 next.

Some discussion took place on contacting Artists. JM agreed to do some contact work re B Ballagh. DD will e-mail website details for contacting artists. As the meeting broke up the following were mentioned : Le Chéile? Roddy Doyle? Christy Moore?

4. Report Backs from Sub-groups:
We all met together to hear sub-group reports.

a) Outreach :
As above

b) Media :

Aindrias reported. The campaign organised a press stunt last Thursday –no coverage has appeared yet; a well attended Press Conference was reported in the Irish Times – but did not get much coverage elsewhere. The Labour Party launch got coverage – noted that Michael D Higgins used exactly the same arguments CARR has been promoting when interviewed on the RTÉ Radio 1 News at One programme. The group wants research done on the lies broadcast by Michael McDowell – JM agreed to take on this work. Next Wednesday “Lawyers Against the Referendum” will be launched. Richie Keane has contacted LP people who might help in organising a press event of “famous people” against the referendum.

c) Activities Group :

Reported that a Co-ordinator for leafleting needed. University College Dublin Students’ Union has done some posters. Propose that we have a Central Meeting point in the city centre. Leaflets running out – almost 200,000 have been distributed in one way or another. Stressed again that we need precise information needed from the political parties.

A discussion took place on leaflet option – whether to commission a re-run of the existing leaflet, or go for a new one? Time and resources (cost) are key factors in making any final decision.

2 volunteers (AOC, MG) have circulated a draft rewritten text. People have been asked for comments. Agreed to make a final decision at next Saturday’s meeting.

d) Finance / Fund-Raising :
The Draw Date has been put back for 2 weeks..

5. Issues Decided By The Entire Meeting:

a) Demonstration in Dublin City Centre:
Demonstration in Dublin City Centre agreed for Saturday 29 May. The route is : Start at the Central Bank in Dame Street, and proceed to the General Post Office in O’Connell Street. Agreed to start at 1pm. Estimated budget for posters : €120 for 1000 items. Further details to be finalised today. 2 to 3 Paul Dillon to be asked to help co-ordinate work on this.
b) Public Meeting, Dublin City Centre :
CARR agreed to hold a Public Meeting towards the end of the campaign in Dublin City Centre. Provisional date agreed is June 3 Venue, time speakers and so no to be confirmed. Ivana Bacik has indicated agreement to speak, if invited by the campaign. Further details to be finalised. Some other suggestions for speakers were : M Robinson; M Neligan; Key Sector People. Some people felt we should invite high profile members of political parties; others felt we should be careful about that, considering “balance” rules that apply to broadcasting organisations.

MG and JM to contact Paul Dillon, and make a report to the next meeting..

c) Choice of Wording, Campaign Stickers : Agreed.
6. Introduction for Next Meeting :

NB
A volunteer is needed to prepare an introduction for the next meeting

CARR meets again @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club on Saturday May 22, and every week (same venue) until the referendum is held on Friday June 11 - all are welcome to attend.

Different arrangements may be made on weekend of planned May 29 Dublin City Centre Demonstration, and on the following bank holiday weekend (Saturday June 5 to Monday June 7)

by pat c Wed May 19, 2004 14:32

Would it be possible to post a list of upcoming leaflettin/postering events? Times and days of leafletting at DART etc?

by F Wed May 19, 2004 17:36

Any pdf's?

by John Meehan - CARR Mon May 31, 2004 21:38

Campaign Against the Racist Referendum (CARR)

Minutes of a meeting of CARR held on Saturday May 29 2004 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
About 20 people attended. Chair : Eoin O’Mahony Minutes : John Meehan

1. Postering:

Volunteers offered to start putting up posters. Car drivers specially needed!

2. Leafleting:
Mark Grehan reported a new edition of the main leaflet will be ready on Tuesday June 1. CARR has so far distributed 300,000 leaflets.

We have a good idea where the leaflet has been circulated. Teams to areas not covered. Need for current information stressed.

3. Public Meeting :

John Meehan reported. Meeting “Vote No in the Citizenship Referendum” takes place on Thursday June 3 in Liberty Hall, Eden Quay, Dublin 8.00pm to 10.00pm. Speakers : Ivana Bacik (Lawyers Against the Amendment), Des Bonass (Dublin Council of Trade Unions), Gareth Keogh (Deputy president, Union of Students in Ireland (USI); Joanna McMinn National Women’s Council of Ireland; and a representative of Residents Against Racism.

Thanks to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) for help in organizing this meeting, especially booking of the venue.

Details of the meeting have been faxed to various organizations, and sent out by e-mail on the campaign list. A5 leaflets are being distributed.

Volunteers agreed to help asking speakers to write a couple of paragraphs from their speeches, so the details can be sent out to various media organizations.

Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh will chair the meeting on behalf of CARR. CARR people asked to arrive a little early (from 7.30pm onwards) to help set up the room, give information to people coming in, and so on.

People attending the meeting can collect the new leaflet, arrange for further campaign work in the following days (leaflet areas not yet covered, put up posters, plan further campaign activities such as press conferences, media events and so on).

4. Media / Press Strategy :

Anne Brennan Reported :

Doctors Against the Amendment will be launched on Monday May 31. Senator Mary Henry and Jerry Cowley TD are among the signatories. (NB : This event got very good media coverage : mentioned on RTE Radio 1 Morning Ireland, Interview on the Pat Kenny Radio programme, detailed article in the Irish Times etc etc.) [See text of statement at the end of these minutes]

On Wednesday June 2, the National Women’s Council of Ireland does a press launch of its campaign.

CARR was also planning a press launch of a “celebrities” event – it was agreed, after a detailed discussion, to defer this initiative until the weekend to avoid a clash with the National Women’s Council of Ireland. This also gives us time to enrol more people.

Academics are also launching next Wednesday. We will suggest a Tuesday slot, so that a different “No” event happens each day.

A discussion developed on the arguments we choose to stress in the last two weeks of the campaign? During this time, people are making up their minds for the last time. How do we address "common sense" line of Brian Lenihan?

It was suggested we push the line that the proposal is inhumane; introduces inequality; we should behave better given the historic Irish experience of emigration. Fianna Fáil sold passports.

It was suggested we deal with the complex stuff during the week, then finish with one simple and clear message at the weekend.

It was agreed to suggest that supporters write letters to provincial papers. People can phone up the Joe Duffy and Gerry Ryan radio chat shows.

The importance of being heard on the Pat Kenny radio programme, which has an audience in the hundreds of thousands, was stressed.

5. Activities :

Noted that several GAA matches plus women's mini marathon take place next weekend.
People were asked to get the details and be ready to distribute them at events such as the public meeting on Thursday June 3 in Liberty Hall.
Other suggestions were : Gig. In Olympia Friday-Sunday next; Croke Park next Sunday; Busáras next weekend when large numbers will be leaving Dublin during the bank holiday weekend; the Bohs/Pat's Dalymount on Monday; Speaker's Corner.

A member of the UCD CARR group agreed to collate all relevant information about events and circulate on the main e-mail list.

CARR Stickers to be available on Tuesday June 1 – members sand supporters of political parties, or supporters of non-party candidates seeking election, who are calling for a No Vote, but are short of canvassing material about the referendum, could, if they wish, place the “Vote No” stickers on their material.

6. Next Meeting :

We agreed to meet again next Saturday June 5 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers’ Club.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST
THE RACIST REFERENDUM
C/o 12A Brunswick Place, Dublin 2
PRESS RELEASE

Embargo: Monday 31st May 2004 07.00 a.m.

DOCTORS LAUNCH NO VOTE CAMPAIGN

Press Conference Monday 31st May 2004
11.00 AM Earl of Kildare Hotel, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Doctors today launched a No Vote Campaign registering their opposition to the upcoming referendum on citizenship.
Doctors presented a letter to be published in the medical news this week. The letter urges health care workers to support their patients and call for a NO Vote in the Referendum. The initial letter campaign is signed by over thirty doctors, including Dr. Jerry Cowley TD and Senator Mary Henry.
Speaking at the press conference today Dr. Juliet Bressan stated, “This referendum is an attempt by the government to deflect anger away from the real issues of under funding of the health services.” “The government has now clearly tried to scapegoat women and their children for the failures of the Celtic Tiger to address poverty, housing and health care in Ireland - this is morally disgraceful,” stated Dr. Bressan.

“This unnecessary referendum has lead to the stigmatisation of our patients. The governments shifting arguments are based on scaremongering and prejudicial arguments,” stated Dr. Austin O’Carroll “The government campaign has been inhumane in its affect and there has been a total lack of empathy with the people who will be affected by this measure,” he said. “The arguments so far will only led to increased suffering by our patients, a most human and warm group of people.,” stated Dr. O’Carroll.

“There is anger within the medical profession at the justification for and the affect of this referendum,” said Dr. Bressan. “The vast majority of doctors are advocates for their patients, welcome diversity and believe all children are equal. This can be seen by the desire of doctors to sign up to this initial letter,” stated Dr. Juliet Bressan.

Speaking in support of a No Vote, Dr. Peadar O’Grady, Consultant Child Psychiatrist stated, “The Irish health system is massively supported by workers from other countries and this referendum is an insult to these colleagues.”
Ends

Letter:
We wish to register our opposition to the upcoming referendum on citizenship.
We believe that the basis for Irish citizenship through birth should remain as it has done for the last 83 years, (and as it is in other countries such as Canada, the US, New Zealand, India and in countries in Africa and South America.)
We do not accept the claim that people are “Abusing a Loophole". In our experience, our (asylum seeking) patients are either people who are fleeing torture and abuse of such extremity as to be outside our comprehension, or are seeking a better future for their children. They stay in confined conditions, without the right to work or education, on minimal welfare payments, and endure persistent racial abuse. Theirs is not an abuse, it is a parents desire to provide for their children.
We do not accept the notion that our maternity hospitals are being “Clogged Up", or that mothers are putting their children at risk with late arrivals. Our birth rate has continued to fall since 1981 (72,158 live births) to today (2000 – 54, 239 live births) despite the arrival of new communities. The number of late arrivals, of whom a significant number are Irish women, is only 548, which is clearly a tiny proportion of all births. We argue strongly for improved maternity resources for all women. It is the duty of the Department of Health to provide appropriate models of maternity care for multiethnic patients, not to argue for their deportation. We reject the stigmatisation of foreign parents as putting their non-born children’s lives at risk, without taking account of the peri-natal mortality (death in the first week of life) in their own country. (In Nigeria, the peri-natal mortality is 77.5 per 1000 births as compared to the Irish rate of 7.5 / 1000.) These parents may in fact be improving their child’s chance of survival.) (References on Request)
We do not accept that Ireland is being swamped by refugees. Ireland is about mid table in the ratio of refugees accepted by European countries. Europe receives less than a third of global refugees and asylum seekers, poorer African and Asian countries host most refugees.
Having heard the experiences of torture, rape, abuse and economic deprivation of non-national patients we strongly believe that they should be welcomed and treated with the respect they truly deserve. We are most concerned that this referendum may provide a platform for those with racist views, and encourage abuse of ethnic minorities.
Therefore, we call for a NO vote in the citizenship referendum.
Signed:
Dr. Austin O Carroll, General Practitioner, Dublin 7
Dr. Jerry Cowley, TD Dáil Éireann
Dr. Bill Shannon, Dublin 2
Dr. John Latham, Dublin 8
Dr. Mary Jennings General Practitioner, Dublin
Dr. Mary Favier, General Practitioner, Cork
Dr. Fidelma Savage, General Practitioner Bray
Dr. Patrick Harrold, General Practitioner Blacklion
Dr. Peadar O Grady, Consultant Child Psychiatrist Dublin 12
Senator Mary Henry, Seanad Éireann
Dr. Michael Lim, Dublin 24
Dr. Mark Holmes General Practitioner Dublin
Dr. John Tierney, General Practitioner Dublin
Dr. Rashid Ibrahaim, Dublin
Dr. Christine Corr, Dublin
Dr. Susanna Gaynor, Dublin
Dr. Nicky Boyle, Dublin
Dr. Daniel Whitford, Dublin 1
Dr. Sumi Dune, Dublin
Dr. Ronan Mc Loughlin, Dublin
Dr. Nicky Boyle, Dublin
Dr. James Slein, Dublin
Dr. Juliet Bressan, Dublin 8
Dr. Walter Cullen, Dublin
Dr. Michael Breen, Wicklow
Dr. Shane Mc Carthy, Dublin 9
Dr. Mel Bates, Dublin 3
Dr. Patricia Carmody, Dublin 3
Dr. Mary Archer, Dublin
Dr. Emer Loughrey, Dublin 8
Dr. Des Crowley, Dublin 7