This article is from the twice monthly newspaper, News From Indian
Country. It is published by Indian Country Communications, Inc.
with offices at Rt.2 Box 2900A, Hayward, WI 54843. They may be
contacted by calling (715) 634-5226; FAX (715) 634-3243.
Mid-August, 1992
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Ethnic Gypsies Need Support
Dear Editor:
Firstly, I'd like to say how much we look forward to receiving
our copies of News From Indian Country. We found your most
informative and best presented Native American newspaper of several
we have seen, giving a more complete overview of what is happening
in "Indian Country."
Secondly, I would like to appeal for support on behalf of ethnic
Gypsy people here in Britain. Ethnic Gypsies identify closely with
Indian people.
In the autumn of this year, the government here in Britain
intends to repeal the "1968 Caravan Sites Act," in which local
authorities were compelled by law to provide campgrounds for their
individual Gypsy populations, as traditional stopping areas were
becoming fewer (due to both rural and urban development) and Gypsy
populations were growing and have been joined by increasing numbers
of people of nomadic habit.
Under the 1968 act, if counties provided "sufficient" sites for
"their" Gypsy populations, they were free to physically remove
illegally camped Gypsies to the county boundary by use of the
police. Here in the next county the cycle of harassment and forced
removal continues.
Few county councils have in fact provided official sites since
1968, yet all the county councils seem quite eager to use their
powers to remove illegal Gypsy encampments from their country.
In the autumn, government here in Britain intends to give police
and local authorities greater powers to harass Gypsies and they also
plan to disband the few official Gypsy sites and sell off the land
they have been camping on.
The story does not end there; many Gypsies have bought and paid
for pieces of land on which to camp but have had enforcement orders
passed by local authorities against them camping on their own land.
This has resulted in Gypsies who resisted these enforcement orders
being imprisoned.
Gypsies who have given up a traveling lifestyle and taken to
living in houses have faced abuse and discriminatory action against
them by the settled population.
Gypsy people here in Britain would greatly appreciate support
from any Native American groups or individuals, who we feel will
understand, to some degree, the problems Gypsies face.
Would anyone willing to support Gypsies in Britain please write
to: The Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group
c/o Siobhan Spencer, Secretary
Moor End
Beeley,
Nr. Matlock,
Derbyshire,
DE4 2NR
England
Tel. 0629 734805
Thank you,
Dave & Siobhan Spencer
England
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Michele Lord + If you have come here to help me,
+ you are wasting your time.....
Alpha Institute + But if you have come because
+ your liberation is bound up with mine,
milo@scicom.alphacdc.com + then let us work together.
Aboriginal Woman
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