Locals gather for anti-racism rally

OVER 100 people turned out at an anti-racism rally in Rathfarnham last week.

It follows the highly publicised attack on a taxi driver’s home recently.

Happy Agamah (63), who is a German citizen, told how he is planning to leave Ireland after the terrifying and racially motivated petrol bomb attack on his home.

In a statement issued through People Before Profit’s John Flanagan, Mr Agamah described how he was in the bedroom when his mattress was set on fire.

“I have had many incidents since coming here,

? he recalled.

“They have banged on my door at night and shouted

‘come out ni**er. You ni**ers come here to take our jobs’.

?

In response to the disgusting attack on Mr Agamah, local residents and politicians gathered for the rally in Rathfarnham Village on Thursday.

Called by anti-racism activists and People Before Profit Rathfarnham representatives, the rally was aimed at showing solidarity with Mr Agamah and to condemn racism.

It was supported by trade unions Unite and Siptu, as well as various migrant support organisations and anti-racist campaign groups such as ENAR Ireland Network, Roma Integration Association, Anti-Deportation Ireland, Immigrant Council of Ireland and ROI Against Racism, among others.

Memet Uludag, one of the organisers of the rally, called on all anti-racist organisations and individuals to show solidarity with the victim.

Mr Uludag, whose election posters were subjected to racist vandalism during the local elections campaign in May, said:

“This is a very serious incident and nobody should live in fear because of racism. We cannot allow such racist attacks to force people out of their homes, their neighbourhoods and even worse, out of Ireland.

“Racism divides communities, creates an atmosphere of hate and fear, and it ruins lives.

?

Rathfarnham People Before Profit representative John Flanagan, who addressed the rally added: “This anti-racist rally was organised in response to a racially motivated attack which resulted in local resident Happy Agamah being burned out of his home.

“In fact, he was lucky to survive the incident. It is very important to send a clear message that racism will not be tolerated in our communities.

“Blaming our neighbours for many of the problems we are facing today solves nothing except creating a diversion from the real issues.

“We cannot allow such racist attacks to happen in Ireland. We must unite and fight against racism together.

?

Mr Flanagan said that recent similar attacks in Belfast had led to anti-racist groups organising mass rallies in protest.