A group of concerned and affected citizens of Birmingham met on Monday the 24th October 2005, to discuss the events of the prior weekend where at least two people lost their lives, many were injured, several seriously and residents and traders' properties were damaged or destroyed, some of which still remain vulnerable to future damage or destruction. All this occurred in response to the alleged rape of a young woman. The meeting started with a minute's silence for those who lost their lives in the weekend's events.
The meeting discussed the failure of the police and ambulance services to protect the residents and traders of Lozells, Handsworth, Parry Barr and surrounding areas against criminal elements bent on causing havoc in the area. The meeting felt that the Council must act rapidly now to avoid any further fatalities, injuries or damage to property.
The meeting therefore demanded that the Council should set up a public enquiry looking at the failures of the Police and ambulance services to provide timely and appropriate protection for the residence and traders of Lozells, Perry Barr, Handsworth and surrounding areas.
In addressing the root causes of the weekend's events the enquiry should address the following:
1. the police's failure to quell any rumours spreading widely and rapidly about an alleged rape.
This failure allowed pre-existent anger and resentment in the Asian and African Caribbean communities to be strengthened.
2. how the police might have calmed the situation by providing a categorical statement that no deportation would be made of the alleged rape victim who, it is claimed, resisted going to the police because she feared deportation.
3. Local media irresponsibility by stoking the flames of anger between communities by reporting unsubstantiated rumours without any investigation as to their accuracy before and after the weekend's
events.
4. the failure of the ambulance services to provide adequate support to the communities affected by the violence and destruction. In some instances the failure could have easily been life threatening.
5. The enquiry should look at some of the statements made by individuals, some with responsible positions in bodies linked to the council, that might have been inflammatory and exploited racist stereotypes and take appropriate action.
6. The more general economic, political and social reasons why grievances between communities have developed to the dangerous level that exists today in parts of Birmingham, specially in inner city areas like Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas.
The enquiry should include representatives from all affected communities in Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas so that local fears and grievances are heard and appropriately resolved.
Funds must be provided to raise the quality of life of people in these areas. Finally, the Council must immediately provide support and protection for the vulnerable peoples living in these communities in Lozells, Perry Barr, Handsworth and surrounding areas who have been affected by the violence and damage that has occurred thus far.
Council must, as a matter of urgency, setup a support structure that can start re-building the communities damaged by the weekend's events. This must include providing compensation to the victims of the events so that they can return to normal life as soon as possible.
The enquiry should include representatives from all affected communities in Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas so that local fears and grievances are heard and appropriately resolved.
Presented by and on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Birmingham.
The meeting therefore demanded that the Council should set up a public enquiry looking at the failures of the Police and ambulance services to provide timely and appropriate protection for the residence and traders of Lozells, Perry Barr, Handsworth and surrounding areas.
In addressing the root causes of the weekend's events the enquiry should address the following:
1. the police's failure to quell any rumours spreading widely and rapidly about an alleged rape.
This failure allowed pre-existent anger and resentment in the Asian and African Caribbean communities to be strengthened.
2. how the police might have calmed the situation by providing a categorical statement that no deportation would be made of the alleged rape victim who, it is claimed, resisted going to the police because she feared deportation.
3. Local media irresponsibility by stoking the flames of anger between communities by reporting unsubstantiated rumours without any investigation as to their accuracy before and after the weekend's
events.
4. the failure of the ambulance services to provide adequate support to the communities affected by the violence and destruction. In some instances the failure could have easily been life threatening.
5. The enquiry should look at some of the statements made by individuals, some with responsible positions in bodies linked to the council, that might have been inflammatory and exploited racist stereotypes and take appropriate action.
6. The more general economic, political and social reasons why grievances between communities have developed to the dangerous level that exists today in parts of Birmingham, specially in inner city areas like Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas.
The enquiry should include representatives from all affected communities in Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas so that local fears and grievances are heard and appropriately resolved.
Funds must be provided to raise the quality of life of people in these areas. Finally, the Council must immediately provide support and protection for the vulnerable peoples living in these communities in Lozells, Perry Barr, Handsworth and surrounding areas who have been affected by the violence and damage that has occurred thus far.
Council must, as a matter of urgency, setup a support structure that can start re-building the communities damaged by the weekend's events. This must include providing compensation to the victims of the events so that they can return to normal life as soon as possible.
The enquiry should include representatives from all affected communities in Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas so that local fears and grievances are heard and appropriately resolved.
Presented by and on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Birmingham.
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
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01.11.2005 01:46
How can the police quell a rumour, if they tried you would be the first on her shouting cover up.
"This failure allowed pre-existent anger and resentment in the Asian and African Caribbean communities to be strengthened."
Always someone else's fault, not the communities.
"how the police might have calmed the situation by providing a categorical statement that no deportation would be made of the alleged rape victim who, it is claimed, resisted going to the police because she feared deportation."
Not within the Police's power, matter for the Home Office - assurances were given
"Local media irresponsibility by stoking the flames of anger between communities by reporting unsubstantiated rumours without any investigation as to their accuracy before and after the weekend's "
Perhaps just as you are responsible for stoking the flames of ignorance around this issue.
events.
"the failure of the ambulance services to provide adequate support to the communities affected by the violence and destruction. In some instances the failure could have easily been life threatening."
You really expect ambulances to drive right into the middle of a riot?!! Tell you what next time you run into the middle of a riot with your first aid box.
"The more general economic, political and social reasons why grievances between communities have developed to the dangerous level that exists today in parts of Birmingham, specially in inner city areas like Handsworth, Lozells, Perry Barr and surrounding areas." Drugs, drugs and more drugs. Simple reason, difficult solution.
"Funds must be provided to raise the quality of life of people in these areas. Finally, the Council must immediately provide support and protection for the vulnerable peoples living in these communities in Lozells, Perry Barr, Handsworth and surrounding areas who have been affected by the violence and damage that has occurred thus far. "
So my council tax should be poured into areas where people havn't got the will power to do something for themselves.
"Council must, as a matter of urgency, setup a support structure that can start re-building the communities damaged by the weekend's events. This must include providing compensation to the victims of the events so that they can return to normal life as soon as possible."
Compensation from my council tax, make the mosque pay
The Voice of reason
The Voice of a Racist Bigot?!
02.11.2005 11:12
The above petition is a genuine attempt by local people to address the issues raised by the tension and violence last week in lozells. People are trying to get answers from the authorities with regard to their negligence and lack of intervention in this situation. It is also a genuine call for unity in the face of adversity.
The last thing the community needs now is some racist, uniformed bigot stereotyping and profiling groups in the community using Indymedia - this is not what indymedia's for!
This says it all really: 'So my council tax should be poured into areas where people havn't got the will power to do something for themselves.'
You really haven't got a clue have you?
and: 'Compensation from my council tax, make the mosque pay'
enough is enough racist bigot! Indymedia moderators please hide posts from this racist bigot!
racist scum out of brum
spot the odd one out
03.11.2005 15:01
incitement to unity
Scratch the Pimple, not Each Other
07.11.2005 11:37
So, stick your slogans and your nonsense about 'fascist this' and 'racist that' back in the box. What's going to change things for people is people kicking dependency on the state and doing it for themselves. The 'authorities' are but a pimple on the arse of the people.
Paul