Dear Everyone, (please note I have written this release alone, but after wide discussions at our regular BIASAN meeting - I hope I clearly represent the feelings of BIASAN as a whole)

Bradford Asylum Immigration Support and Information Network (BIASAN) has decided to postpone our Vigil for Peace which would have taken place on Saturday 29th September 4.30pm.

Why?-
Unfortunately a group from outside the area is planning a pro-Taliban demonstration on Saturday in Bradford. In addition fascist and racist groups have decided to cause disruption of events. We have no way of knowing if either the pro-Taliban or fascists will actually come to Bradford, but the prospect of their arrival, the media speculation and exaggeration etc. have made it impossible for us to guarantee the safety of people coming to the vigil.
Because many of us are Black, Asian and Middle-eastern, and vitally because many of us are still seeking asylum we cannot risk being involved in this type of conflict situation. Also some of us are Afghani refugees who have had to flee the Taliban.

Many of us are deeply distressed that events have turned out this way and we plan to hold our vigil in the near future. People in BIASAN have varied opinions on this issue but agree that we cannot risk the kind of action that other groups might be able to take. Wounds in Bradford communities, from the uprisings/riots in June are still raw - and people seeking asylum are particularly vulnerable to a racist backlash to any kind of disturbance.

We will be sending stewards to centenary square to tell anyone who turns up for the vigil what is happening - and we have been provided with the use of Morley Street community centre (a few minutes walk from centenary square) as an alternative meeting place. We will be inviting people who wanted to attend the vigil to Morley Street to gather for support and discuss future plans from 4.30-6pm

Please pass this info out widely, particularly to friends whose first language is not English.

With much sadness,
Rachel