Newark and Sherwood District Council to take a stand against prejudice against Gypsies, Roma and Travellers

Combating anti-Semitism and the persecution of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers was the focus of a motion passed by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The pledge followed an increase nationally of hate crime against Jews and is a response to issues of discrimination and prejudice toward Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.

The council formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism to send a clear message that anti-Semitic behaviour will not be tolerated.

In line with its opposition to all forms of hate crime and prejudice, the council at the same time also adopted the Alliance Against Anti-Gypsyism’s definition of anti-Gypsyism.

District council leader David Lloyd and Labour Group leader Paul Peacock joined a group of Travellers, Roma and Gypsies, from Newark, at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, Laxton, which commemorates the victims of racism, discrimination and genocide.

The council is now looking at how best to raise awareness of these definitions and applying them throughout its services and operations.

Mr Lloyd said: “We have policies and procedures to deal with prejudice and discrimination but by adopting these definitions we recognise that we need to specifically challenge certain lingering perceptions that are frankly racist and more work is needed to tackle these issues.

“We need to stub out all forms of harassment, bias, violence and prejudice and the motion regarding Gypsies and Travellers is particularly pertinent in our own locality.”

Mr Peacock said: “By supporting this motion the council is showing real leadership, the message is clear ­— the council will not tolerate prejudice in any form.”

Charlotte Smith, who is Roma and lives in the Newark and Sher-wood district, said: “In just my life I have experienced enough hate crime and racial prejudice to write a book.

“I have had people shouting abuse at my children and telling them they should be burned alive, having to suffer racist comments that are not tackled and social media pages, which allow a torrent of abuse against Travellers, Roma and Gypsies.

“I am so pleased that Newark and Sherwood District Council has decided to pledge a commitment to challenge this.”

Her life-long friend and neighbour Gemma Lamb said: “I could go on forever about the negativity towards me and my family going back generations.

“Death threats, rocks thrown, not being able to eat in certain restaurants because they think we may be reckless and social media abuse which is allowed against Gypsies.

“There is good and bad in all of society, but nobody seems to think there is any good in Gypsies.

“I’m happy to hear that the district council has made a pledge to tackle this issue. We haven’t come very far from the Holocaust sadly.”