Roma Gypsy Romany Gypsy Romani ~ Pesha's Blog

Roma Gypsy Children Given Death Sentance

2010-02-14T15:20:00.005Z

These two little brothers Ergin aged 9 and Robert aged 5 live on the lead contaminate camp in Kosovo. As a result of lead poisoning both of these innocent children have Kidney failure, you can see in this photo how poor Ergin’s face has swollen up as his kidneys struggle to clear the toxins from his body.
Both boys need a specialist diet to help take the strain off their failing kidneys, their parents live in adverse poverty and struggle to feed their family from food scavenged from the waste sites.

This diet costs just 7 Euro’s a day at today’s exchange rate that’s £6.07 (UK) or $9.72 (US).

Until September 2009 the children’s diet was being funded by KAAD – Kosovo Agency for Advocacy & Development, but KAAD decided it could no longer afford to pay and the boy’s have been left to die.

Will you stand by while a child dies for the sake of 7 Euro’s ?

If everyone donated just 7 euro’s then Ergin & Robert would have a chance of survival while we fight to get their funding reinstated

PLEASE SAVE THESE LITTLE BOYS

To make donations just send 7 euro’s via PAYPAL to ;

donations@patrinuk.org

Visit the Patrin website for more information.

http://www.patrinuk.org/

"La casa de Bernarda Alba"

2010-01-27T00:10:00.004Z

This is an email sent to me by a trusted friend

Miguel Ángel de la Fuente Frechoso

I apologise as I have messed up the Html..so you may have to cut and paste the links

but..thank you Migel xx

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Hi, Pesha,

Im sending u the link to this really amazing theatre play "La casa de Bernarda Alba" (House of Bernarda Alba) a classic from the writer Federico García Lorca (one of the best writers in XX spanish letterature, killed because he was gay and anti-dictationship, by the way). The play this time s been represented by GIPSY ACTRESS from the EL VACIE neighbourhood, a poor marginal gipsy neighbourhood in Sevilla (Andalucía, Spain) where gipsies are in risk of extreme poverty and social exclussion. The 8 women cant write or read, but they performed really well (i saw it yesterday).
I leave u here some links with videos where u can see them rehearsing and performing in the actual play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SnrWx_LeG0

http://revistaanteojos.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-casa-de-bernarda-alba-en-tnt.html

http://www.elcorreoweb.es/agendadesevilla/076571/mujeres/vacie/protagonizan/ultimas/funciones/casa/bernarda/alba

Its even strange the way they speak spanish, because they may speak more "caló" than proper spanish. Caló is the low-class gipsy dialect spoken by gipsies in Andalucía.
This initiative has got the applause of the public and is getting more and more famous.

Unfortunately, two of them had a recent problem because someone from the TV program "21 días" (21 days, which is based on spending 21 days making smthing as this time was 21 days living in a shanty with gipsies) make them simulate a robbery so now the showman from 21 days is free, but the two gipsies are about to go to jail next 1st february if they dont pay 3800 euros.
In the links I provide u there is an account from the TNT theatre in order to collect money to help them.
If this two women could be free from jail they would keep on going out this social underdevelopment and exlusion they are, because the play they are performing is already invited to some of the main theatres in Madrid.
This is the year against social exlusion in the European Union... lets help and hope this women can keep on playing theatre and raise their lives to a decent position out of poverty or mistreatment.

THANKS VERY MUCH

Miguel Ángel de la Fuente Frechoso

Outside The Box !

2010-01-23T19:37:00.005Z

I opened an email this morning that had originally been sent to my colleague Rachel at UK Association of Gypsy Women, it was an invitation to register for a program that is designed to encourage and support people from unrepresented (minority ethnic) groups to take public appointments.

I read with enthusiasm until Rachel’s email went on to direct me to the attached Diversity Form, I have put a copy on this post and apologise that I have struggled to do this (techno phobe) and it is rather small and difficult to read.

The top and tail of it was that although invited via a Gypsy and Traveller unit from Communities and Local Government, we as a people had no place. Many races and mixed races are listed, but we it seems are expected to tick the box marked “other”

The Romany Gypsy people are UK’s oldest Ethnic Minority, we have fought and died for our country, yet when it comes to being recognised, at the bottom of the list we are simply considered as one of, or part of what makes up “the others”

I know Rachel has replied to this invitation and made her feels perfectly clear, and I will do so via this blog.

Diversity forms are supposed to exist to help eliminate discrimination, so..if your ethnic group are listed on the form, you can be accounted for, “you count” your voice and cultural needs quite rightly are important to those who have complied the form.
But..how do they consider the needs of the “others”, the nameless ones who don’t fit into any box,..quite simply..they don’t.

This goes toward keeping our people marginalised

There are some area’s whose forms have a box for Gypsy Traveller, but they are few and far between. I for one refuse fill them in, but write on the bottom
“ I am a Romany Gypsy woman, I am from UK’s oldest ethnic minority, neither myself or any of my people are “an other” of any kind”

I hope the Gypsy/Traveller/Roma people who read this blog will do the same

Rachel Francis Igham has asked me to add her comment to the post;

The diversity form was included with an invitation to participate in a new government sponsored Public appointments mentoring programme initiative, which is designed to encourage and support people from under represented groups to take up public appointments.

CLGO Gypsy Traveller Unit emailed the invitation to me on Friday the 22nd January stating ‘unfortunately they had just received this information and the deadline for applications submitted was the 31st January 2010, I have no reason to believe otherwise.

However, as my colleague Shay commented just over one week to the deadline.. well planned! I am inclined to agree.

UK Association of Gypsy Women have consulted with central government for many years and if I am honest, we cannot be accused of giving them an easy ride, none of the consultants were ‘Yes women’. I am also aware that we are ‘tolerated’ only because they cannot be seen to ignore an organisation that is solely led by community women, even so we have had to fight every step of the way for our place round the consultation table.

It has not been made easy for us, saying that we will continue to break down the barriers of exclusion until my people enjoy the same rights as every other citizen of our homeland.

Rachel Francis

HELP NEEDED !!

2009-12-29T14:48:00.003Z

We trying to organise a trip to Kosovo to visit the people on the camp and see what we can do to help, I know there is a desperate need for nutricious food, for clothing and for toys for the children.
Please read this posting and the previous one, it will outline the desperate plight of these forgotton people.
We need to help and we also need to use the information we gather to lobby politicians and beaurocrats world wide.

Many thanks

Kosovo's poisoned generation

By Nick Thorpe BBC News, Kosovo
A small child is sweeping the yard outside her home - anywhere else the scene would be touching - but here in the Cesmin Lug refugee camp in northern Kosovo, it is tragic.
The children are sick with lead poisoning.
The camps were built close to the Trepca lead mine and smelting works.
The factory was closed by order of the UN administration in Kosovo, in 2000. But the slag heaps were never cleaned up.
The lead blackens the children's teeth, blanks out their memory, and stunts their growth.
The children swing between bursts of nervous hyperactivity, and something like a coma. Some have epileptic fits.
This is the worst ever lead poisoning that we know of in Europe
Dorit Nitzan
WHO regional office, Belgrade
"Every child conceived in these camps will be born with irreversible brain damage," says Paul Polanski, a US human rights activist based in Nis, Serbia.
"Everyone talks about resettlement, but that's not the problem, the problem is medical treatment."
Dangerous levels
Mr Polanski claims 77 people have died in Cesmin Lug and another nearby town, Osterode, mainly through complications from lead poisoning.
The local UN administration in Mitrovica sees him as a trouble maker.
Lead in the blood is measured in micrograms per decilitre.
"This is the worst ever lead poisoning that we know of in Europe," said Dorit Nitzan, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) regional office in Belgrade.
"We are talking in the tens - 40-50 mg/dl, more than a 100 in the blood... really high levels."
In 2004, the WHO recommended the evacuation of Cesmin Lug, and two more Roma camps at Kablare and Zitkovac.
All had been set up by the UNHCR in 1999 as a temporary measure, when the Roma Mahalla, on the southern shore of the Ibar River, was burnt down by Albanians in the dying days of the conflict over Kosovo.

The Roma want medical treatment not resettlement
In 2006, Kablare and Zitkovac were closed down, and the Roma from there moved to Osterode, a former French army base.
It was polluted by lead too, but after the topsoil was removed and concrete put down, the WHO classified it as "safer" than before, and about 600 Roma, including some from Cesmin Lug, moved in.
Some children began medical treatment, known as "chelation" - to clear the lead from the blood - sponsored by the WHO.
But the success of the treatment assumes that the children have been removed from the source of the pollution - that assumption remains a source of controversy today.
Who is responsible?
In Cesmin Lug, children go barefoot, even in winter, on the polluted earth.
In Osterode there is concrete, running water, and indoor toilets, but still the wind blows the deadly dust through the air.
In May 2008, the UNHCR handed responsibility for the camps to Kosovo.
"It was quite a shock," says Sasa Risic, the minister for communities and returns.
"We were told to solve, immediately, a problem which the UN had not been able to solve for nine years."
The UNHCR turned down our request for an interview, on the grounds that administration of the camps belonged to the UN Mission in Kosovo, Unmik.
"The main culprit is always Unmik, or the UN, but it's not true," said Gyorgy Kakuk, outgoing spokesman of Unmik in northern Mitrovica.
So what can Unmik fairly be blamed for? I asked.
"Our responsibility over the years," he replies carefully, "lies in the fact that we were not tough enough, in bringing those people back, from the beginning."

Children have little protection from the polluted soil
"We always withdrew when we faced resistance."
Resistance came from two sources.
One was the local council in Albanian-run southern Mitrovica, which delayed the rebuilding of the Roma Mahalla, where the gypsies lived before 1999; the other was the Roma in the camps themselves.
Today, the rebuilding of Roma Mahalla in southern Mitrovica, funded by the Dutch and Norwegian governments, is proceeding slowly.
In Phase 1, some 400 Roma returned, but Phase 2 has not yet started.
The US government has also launched a new project to re-house 50 families from Cesmin Lug - but there are complications.
Some Roma at Cesmin Lug told me they were afraid to leave the Serb-controlled north, for the Albanian-majority south, because they feared they would lose their welfare payments - which were still paid by Belgrade.
Others said they would not feel safe living among Albanians again, after what happened in 1999.
Later this month, the WHO will make their next fact-finding visit to the camps.
As a wintry sun sets over the slag heaps, the children sing a nursery rhyme some say dates back to the time of the Great Plague in England.
"Ring a-ring o'roses, a pocket full of posies. A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down."

Happy Christmas..The Shame of Europe

2009-12-25T00:36:00.009Z

I would like to wish all that read my blog a very happy Christmas..and my best wishes for the new year

Sadly in an EU member state there are children that are not as fortunate as our own children and grandchildren, many of them will not be here next Christmas

I know it is a busy time of year, but I beg you all to please read this posting, click the links and count your blessings..but please PLEASE..add your names to the "toxic waste kills" web site.

On the camp they have a running track..called the "path of health" as children run on this the toxins rise even more ..and because the children are running they breath in those toxins even more

UPDATE

Since posting this entry I have recieved an email from Dianne Post who is an Attorney in USA, Dianne's email says so well what I am trying to pass on that I am adding it to this post, It is good to know that in a world that is so often uncaring that there are good people who really do care
Thank you Dianne...thank you so very much

I am an attorney who started working with the Roma IDPs in the lead poisoned camps in 2005. I worked at ERRC and we filed 4 different legal actions against them. I left ERRC in 2006 and have since filed another action. The only cases still standing are one at the United Nations Headquarters in New York that was filed in February 2006 and one with the Human Rights Advisory Panel in Kosovo. In nearly 4 years, they have refused to take any action with the case at the UN. With the case in Kosovo, they have denied jurisdiction and said it has to go to the UN in NY. So yes, there is no Rule of Law and it is Europe's shame. I visited my clients last January and saw children runnning around in the snow and ice with no shoes. I saw young men whose hands were blown up like balloons from the excess lead in their bodies. Sara, the child in the story in the Sun, is one of my clients and I visited their home and had to see the terror and pain in her parents eyes as they watched her slow death knowing they could do nothing. The UN has in the past admitted they are responsible for the harm but now refuses to take any responsibility. It is extremely difficult to hold them accountable in the legal realm. We need you. Each one of you to contact Ban Ki-Moon at the UN, your countries ambassador to the UN, your foreign minister, your president or prime minister and force them to take action. The EU is now in charge of Kosovo as UNMIK slinks out as the criminals they are. Go to the EU Parliament. Join the actions at the www.toxicwastekills.com web site. But do something.As you eat your Christmas dinner, as you open your gifts, as you sip your wine, remember these children whose kidneys, brains, and eyes - whose lives - are being destroyed every day by the lead in doses never before seen in humankind.
Thank you.
Dianne Post Attorney
Phoenix, AZ, USA

http://www.filmsthatcount.com/humanrightschannel1/

http://www.toxicwastekills.com/

I am not a lover of the "The Sun" newspaper..in the past they have posted derrogatory articles about our people. However I applaud and thank them them for this recent article

By BRIAN FLYNN
Published: 15 Dec 2009
LITTLE Sara Jahirovic is dying a slow, painful death.
Staring up with big, haunting brown eyes, Sara is a victim of broken promises by United Nations charity chiefs more than a decade after British troops helped free Kosovo.
Her desperate father - he has eight other children - explains that at the age of three she has already had three heart attacks and, as she now suffers daily fainting fits, this Christmas may well be her last.
Sara is just one of hundreds of forgotten children abandoned to suffer brain damage and await death in an international scandal exposed today by The Sun.
The youngsters are being poisoned by dust blowing into a stinking refugee camp from a mountain of toxic lead waste towering above them.
They were packed into the contaminated site by the UN ten years ago after British soldiers went in with our allies to rescue Kosovo from Serbian tyrant Slobodan Milosevic.
Their families, burned from their own homes by ethnic cleansing as the conflict ended, were assured it would be for just a few months until a safer place could be found.
But the UN High Commission For Refugees and sister agency UNMIK - the UN Mission in Kosovo - abandoned them behind the barbed wire of the filthy Osterode camp in Mitrovica when they pulled out two years ago and left the Kosovo government with the problem.
Around 400 of the 650 refugees at Osterode are youngsters, with more than 200 under the age of ten.
After a decade in the hellhole, tests show the children now have so much lead in their blood that medical equipment cannot accurately measure it.
The World Health Organisation and humanitarian campaigners say only immediate evacuation and medical treatment will save the children.
Yet the UN and its agencies STILL refuse to act.
Last night British scientists and humanitarian campaigners called on Foreign Secretary David Miliband to intervene.
Leading toxicologist Professor Alastair Hay, a UK Government adviser, said: "I have never encountered a situation in all the years I have been looking at lead where the situation is so catastrophic as it is for these children.
At risk ... camp kids with a bleak future
DAN CHARITY
"I think this is absolutely criminal. It is such a disgrace that these children are exposed."
So far, at least 84 refugees have died in the camp - many of them children whose organs simply packed up.
Sara's father Feruz, 38, wipes away a tear as he watches her play in the filthy, crumbling former army barracks and says he expects her to join them soon.
Feruz, his own skin tainted with a dull, grey film of the deadly dust, said: "We do not know how long Sara will be with us.
"She has had three heart attacks and she is only three. She has regular fainting fits and epileptic attacks, yet she is a lovely, happy child. The only grace is that she does not understand what is happening to her.
"If she gets too excited, she collapses with an attack. At night she is screaming and my wife and I take turns to be awake with her because at any second she could die. We are exhausted.
"It is agonising to look outside and see a mountain of lead, and know it is killing your children.
"I am a strong man and yet I can do nothing and have to watch my children die in front of me.
"I have nine children, and seven of them are very sick. If there is a God, then he would help us. I am begging anyone who can help to stop this crime.
"The United Nations moved us here and told us it would be for a few months. We believed them and were grateful. Now they have gone but we are still here.
"Kids are kids wherever they are. They have a right to be healthy and happy. The United Nations told us it was saving us but it is killing us.

"The only way the children can be saved is to move them away and give them medical treatment because here they are getting nothing. We are forgotten.
"People come and measure the levels of lead in our children's blood and then go away and do nothing. There is no help, no hope.
"Where is the United Nations? When we first came we were told we would be here for four months. That is what they promised. Now they have gone. We need help."
When the World Health Organisation first tested the childrens' blood for lead five years ago, the readings for 90 per cent of the children went off the scale.
The levels were the highest they had ever recorded in any area, with many children poisoned by more than four times the amount that triggers brain damage.
Three months ago, after repeated pleas for help were ignored, outraged WHO bosses called for the camp's "immediate and urgent" closure.
Standing on top of the 200 metre high mountain of 100 million tons of lead waste, you can see the air thick with the fine, grey dust that blows on to the camp.
The colossal slag heap that dominates the skyline was formed by Europe's biggest mining and smelting complex, which has lain derelict since the Kosovo war. Below, children play in skips of human excrement and drink water from communal taps on land contaminated with the lead waste.
British human rights campaigner Bernard Sullivan told how he first began fighting for the refugees after delivering aid.
He said: "The UN has left these people high and dry. They have a moral responsibility to clean up the mess they have made."
Both UN organisations claim they are still committed to helping the families even though they are no longer in charge.
But Kosovo government spokesman Memli Krasniqi said: "The UN did not do anything to move these people. We don't know why.
"They have done their job badly. Now we are trying to deal with it but a lot of time has been lost."
Meanwhile, only one thing is certain this winter in the camp - even more children will die.
b.flynn@the-sun.co.uk

Obama Insults Gypsy People with Use of Derogatory Racist Word

2009-12-15T16:25:00.008Z

I am fully aware that this posting is likely to generate an emotional response. Please be mindful That I only post on this blog when I feel there is something meaningful and important to share, before reading please take a moment to ponder on these words;

"All truth passes through three stages...First it is ridiculed..secondly it is violently opposed ..thirdly it is accepted as self-evident"

Arthur Schopenhauer
Pholosopher 1788-1860

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier this month Barack Obama stated during a speech he was making about health care that;

“All we're trying to do is make sure that if you're buying health insurance on the private marketplace that you're not getting gouged, and gypped, by the insurance companies."

The word Gypped, is a derogatory and a racist slur against the Gypsy/Roma people meaning to rob or defraud by sharp practice it is an Americanism and originates from the word “Gypsy”. I do not accept the argument that this was probably a mistake and Obama did not know the meaning of the word “Gypped”..it is at best slang and as such should have no part in a political speech. Obama has an army of support staff who also let this pass uncensored. There has been no apology.

It is startlingly shocking that a world leader who rose to power aboard the wonderful magic carpet ride otherwise known as “the race card” should make such a remark. Whilst I would agree a first black President would be a wonderful thing indeed, I don’t hold the belief that any black President will do.

The world seems to be bewitched by the concept and blinded to the facts by some form of politically correct mass hysteria.

If this man chooses to use such derogatory terms maybe he should look first to himself before he passes remark about others, if we must use this word well just who has “gypped” who?

Firstly Obama is not the first black President, he is however the first “mixed race” President; but that may not hold the same political passport to power.

Speaking of passports, there seems to be more than a little controversy surrounding Obama’s nationality and therefore his qualification to be president at all. The Obama story..like all good fairy tales requires the listener to be sitting comfortably.

So..If you are sitting comfortably ..I will begin..

To qualify to be President of the USA you must be a “natural born” American, Obama’s father was Kenyan, and his dear old Grandmother excitedly bragged to the worlds press that her grandson was going to be president of the USA..and how she was present in the delivery room when he was born….In Kenya.

Obama himself claims to have been born in Honolulu Hawaii, and his sister backs this up, she names the hospital he was born in, but she can’t quite make up her mind on which one, firstly she named Kapiolani Hospital, but later named Queens Hospital, couple this with the fact that Obama refuses to produce the very document that could lay all of this to rest..his birth certificate.

Now the subject of the birth certificate opens up another hornets nest. Obama put a copy of a birth certificate on his website.In fact here were 2 “certification of Live Birth's” posted and were verified by Factcheck.org.

One of the certificates published by Obama

One of the Certification of Live birth's had the Certification number blacked out, the other Certification of Live Birth showed the Certification number. Factcheck.org is a company that checks documents for authenticity
As it happens Factcheck is part of Annenberg, a Chicago based company disbursing up to $60 millon a year. Obama sat on the board of this company for several years, so hardly a neutral company to employ to verify the documents.
Obama did not declare his interest in that company but then that hardly comes as a surprise when you consider that this man has also refused to release both his medical & education records.

One story goes along the lines that Obama’s mother travelled to Kenya while pregnant, but was not well received by her in laws because she was white. Heavily pregnant she left Kenya because she did not like the way Muslim men treated their wives. A fine and plausible storyline if you take it in isolation. It is somewhat flawed however when you consider that not that many years into the future she married another Muslim man,Lolo Soetoro an Indonesian a strange move considering her alleged reason for leaving Kenya, but even stranger is the fact that not only did she marry another Muslim man, but she took her very young son to Indonesia which at the time was a war zone.
There are records and photographs of a very young Obama at school in Indonesia, but his name has been changed to Barry Soetoro his religion listed as Islam. At this time in Indonesia only Indonesian Citizens were allowed to attend school. The only way this could have been achieved is if his step father had adopted or acknowledged him thus enabling him to secure Indonesian citizenship. This would have relinquished any US citizenship he might have had, he could, on his return to the US have applied to be a naturalised American, but that would not have qualified him for Presidency.

There are just too many questions surrounding this mans background. Why has no birth certificate been actually produced in the flesh for inspection? So to recap two different hospitals have been named as his place of birth together with two different birth certificates. I am also told that records of live births show a fair amount of information that does not appear on the certificates produced by Obama. A genuine live birth certificate has the hospital or other named location where the birth took place, together with the Doctors name and the midwifes name

A genuine certification of live birth for a

Baby born in Hawaii

The reason why the certificate produced by Obama does not have this information is because it is issued based upon the unverified report of an adult, usually the parent, or some other person.
A certificate like this can be obtained in Hawaii and no evidence is required that the birth actually took place there only that the person reporting the birth attests that it did. It is unique to Hawaiian law that it allows for the reporting of a birth outside of the Hawaiian Islands as long as one of the child’s parents can claim to have lived in Hawaii as their principle place of residence for the year prior to the birth. ( this law was effective between 1911 and 1972)

Interestingly, and adding to the doubts about Obama’s place of birth and seemingly transient nationality/citizenship, Obama claims to have travelled to Pakistan in 1981. Whilst this might have been intended to enhance his credentials as a well travelled and well rounded individual he inadvertently added to the already compelling questions.

In 1981 Americans were not free to travel to Pakistan; the country was under martial law. Obama, must have used his Indonesian citizenship and passport to enter Pakistan, there is the possibility that being born in Kenya in 1961 Obama could possibly have held a British passport, but the most likely and obvious reason why he was allowed to travel to Pakistan at this time was that he travelled as an Islamic Indonesian citizen whose name was Barry Soetoro.

There are just too many questions over Obama’s qualification to be President of US. I would not wish to give the impression that my objections to him are based on racial or religious objection. My objection is based on fear. Here we have a man who appears very compellingly to have risen to power by falsifying his past. The question “why” needs to be explored fully. History will show that those who have been driven by the need to rise to personal power have had devastating effect when the “self” inevitably comes before the common good.

Obama who is so clearly impassioned about discrimination towards African Americans thinks nothing of delivering racist slurs against another ethnic people. A people that I might add have a long way to go before they come close to enjoying a lifestyle remotely akin to that enjoyed by most African Americans. As such a powerful world leader he should be ever mindful of the impact of his words, but sadly I believe that he is fully mindful.

For 17 months Philip J Berg the former Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania has been fighting through the US Courts to expose Obama. Berg is also a life long Democrat so his beef is not a political one I have come to the conclusion that Berg’s fight for the truth is a moral one. Remarkably Obama could have simply produced his birth certificate and ended this lawsuit, but instead he chose with the full backing of the DNC to apply for a motion to have the case dismissed.

Speaking to me on Sunday night Philip J Berg stated;

“Obama is a phony, a fraud and this is the biggest "HOAX" upon the United States in over 230 years, all put forth by Obama and his cronies ! !”

I have grave reservations about Barak Obama and the more I look into him the greater my fears. If I gazed into my Crystal ball I might well be faced with a vision of chaos being brought to the world brought by a tall dark and admittedly extremely handsome man.

I wish Phil Berg luck in his quest for the truth but realistically the truth is very likely to bring with it turmoil and unrest on a massive scale. If all the indications, and there are many prove to be correct then Obama should never have been allowed to run for president due to lack of qualification and his deceit will set the cause of African Americans in the Political arena back decades.

I and many honest hardworking law abiding Gypsy/Roma people worldwide object to Obama’s off hand racist slur and we are still awaiting the apology that is a long time coming.

“Gypped” Mr President? How dare you?

As a British Romany Gypsy woman I like to speak from the heart and I like to do so clearly with as little margin for error as possible. Kindly keep your derogatory remarks to yourself, your are in no position to cast such aspersions, because from where I sit it looks very clear to me that you have “conned” and “deceived” 18 million trusting US citizens into voting for you.

Shay Clipson Dec 2009
Copyright © All rights reserved

Daily Mail Continues To Incite Racial Hatred Toward Gypsy & Travelling Families

2009-08-20T16:08:00.005Z

The Daily Mail continues to incite racial hatred toward Gypsy and Travelling families…..

It is hard to believe that in a modern Britain Paul Dacre and the rabid pack of racist hate hungry rabble that he employs, can conduct unabaited a campaign that is designed to incite racial hatred against UK’s oldest ethnic minority..The Romany Gypies..and other groups of Travelling peoples.

It will take a little time, but please read through the links on this posting, you will note as you read that Surrey Police did make it clear that the article about the Helicopter was untrue, a similar one appeared in the Sun, they did print a retraction, not so the Daily Mail. Printing lies and deliberately misleading their readership is all in a days work for Dacre and his cronnies.

These Articles have been reported to the Police as “hate crimes” and have been logged, I will let you all know if we get a positive out come.

A complaint has also been lodged with The Press Complaints Commission

After discussing this matter with the Police on more than one occasion, the opinion is that the more unscrupulous Editors who allow this sort of article to go to press do so in the knowledge that provided it is worded in such a way that it is not aimed at any one individual then they will be exempt from any redress from the Press Complaints Commission

In point of fact the damage done by aiming the hostility toward the community as a whole is by far more damaging, as it criminalizes us as a people; it creates a picture of an asocial race.

In the 1940’s Adolph Hitler labeled the Gypsy people as asocial and used it as an excuse for ethnic cleansing. Today Newspaper Editors are using the same excuse to persecute our people. It’s far more subtle; they don’t round us up and kill us in our tens of thousands. They print these damaging articles that marginalize our people even more. They vilify us and create fear and hate against us. As a result our children get persecuted and bullied in school, families cannot get planning permission because people believe the stories and don’t want Gypsy people for neighbours. In order to live in peace and have their children educated and access medical services people deny their culture. This amounts to ethnic cleansing by media.

.

The article below by the Daily Mails Richard Littlejohn is grossly insulting and inflammatory leading the reader to believe that all Gypsy and Travelling people are thieves and benefit fraudsters.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1205683/RICHARD-LITTLEJOHN-Are-sitting-comfortably-Lets-tarmacking-Teabag-Tess-Toby.html

This next one gives the impression that our community is not worthy of Lottery funding and that Gypsy people are not hardworking people who play by the rules and pay their taxes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1205693/5m-Lottery-cash-help-gipsies-beat-planning-rules.html

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There is no evidence that the family named in this article are in fact a Gypsy family

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206652/The-1m-neighbours-hell-Meet-gipsy-family-terrorising-peaceful-street.html

Below is an email I sent to Paul Dacre you will see it was forwarded to him as I had emailed the reported Rachel Porter but she did not reply, Paul Dacre did not reply either.

FW: RE Article in Daily Mail‏
From:
Shay Clipson (shay.clipson@live.co.uk)
Sent:
17 August 2009 16:54:24
To:
paul.dacre@dailymail.co.uk; editor@dailymail.co.uk

Dear Mr Dacre I am concerned at the mount of articles that appear in your publication that are derrogatory toward the Gypsy and Traveller community I sent the attched email to your Rachel Porter this morning As yet I have not recieved a reply regards Shay Clipson

From: shay.clipson@live.co.uk

To: rachel.porter@dailymail.co.uk;

r.porter@dailymail.co.ukSubject:

RE Article in Daily MailDate: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:12:43 +0100

I read with interest your article in Saturdays Daily Mail. Can you tell me what evidence you have that the Connors are in fact an Irish Travelling family ? The Law Society have no record of Jeremy Kaye being a Solicitor Best Regards
Celebrate a decade of Messenger with free winks, emoticons, display pics, and more. Get Them Now

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I have also included the wholly untrue article as printed in the Daily Mail on 14th may 2009.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1181534/Gypsies-smash-5million-police-helicopter-axes-revenge-spy-flights.html

Response from Surrey Police
RE: ‏
From:
Press Office (PressOffice@surrey.pnn.police.uk)
Sent:
17 August 2009 13:56:02
To:
'Shay Clipson' (shay.clipson@live.co.uk)
Dear Shay,

Surrey Police did not state that the offence had been committed by any particular group, in fact we stated the offenders were unknown. Here is a copy of our media response:

"Damage was caused to the Surrey Police helicopter during an incident at its base at Fairoaks Airport, Chobham just before 10pm on Thursday 30 April. Five windows were smashed by unknown offenders and the value of the damage is being determined. The incident is part of an ongoing investigation and security measures are being reviewed as part of this. Surrey Police is working with the maintenance contractor to ensure the aircraft is back on line as soon as possible. We continue to have access to air support through agreements with surrounding Forces."

Following the article in The Sun on 14 May, we have been in contact with the 'Friends, Families and Travellers' action group and the accuracy of the article was challenged. This led to a correction being published in The Sun:

"CHOPPER ATTACK: Surrey Police have not blamed gipsies for an attack on their force helicopter, no staff in their operations room were threatened by gipsies and no gipsy site was being targeted for a raid, as we reported on May 14 We apologise for the mistakes and are happy to set the record straight."

So far no-one has been arrested in connection with the incident and, even if they had, their ethnicity is not a detail we would comment on.

Regards,

Nick

_______________________________Nick ClokeSenior Media Relations OfficerSurrey Police Headquarters_______________________________

I

“Anti-Gypsyism continues to be a major human rights problem in Europe – governments must start taking serious action against both official and inter-p

2009-05-04T13:54:00.004Z

“Anti-Gypsyism continues to be a major human rights problem in Europe – governments must start taking serious action against both official and inter-personal discrimination of Roma”

[27/04/09]
Report From The Council of Europe
by
Thomas Hammarberg
New pledges were made on International Roma Day to combat anti-Gypsyism. At the same time we received information that a group of Roma children, arrested in Kosice in eastern Slovakia, had been forced to strip and slap one another violently in the face in the police station where they were held. In Belgrade, a number of Roma families were suddenly evicted from their homes without alternative accommodation being offered to them. In Mitrovica, I witnessed Roma who continue to live in conditions dangerous to their health in lead-contaminated camps.
When the sadistic incident of police brutality in Slovakia became public, having been filmed and later leaked to the media, the involved policemen were suspended. Still questions remain. Was this event unique or have similar violations taken place before? Did the policemen know that this was totally unlawful? Did they even fear repercussions (one of them operated the camera)? Is there a serious gap in the training or instruction of the police and, therefore, responsibility for these actions lies higher up?
These questions will certainly be investigated in Slovakia and further action taken. What is likely to remain, however, is the perception that such humiliation would not have taken place if the children had not been Roma. Certainly, this will be the conviction within the Roma community itself.
The EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) has collected information about how Roma and other minorities feel about their situation in society. It has now published the first two parts of the survey on minorities and discrimination in EU countries: a broad overview of the whole study and a more substantial report on the Roma, “who face the highest levels of discrimination”.1
The Roma part of the survey focuses on seven member states: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. In each of them no less than 500 Roma respondents were interviewed. The answers strongly confirm my own impression from missions to several of these countries – and to other European countries inside and outside the EU:
Half of the respondents answered that they had suffered discrimination at least once during the last 12 months and for many of them there had been several such incidents during this period (on average 11);
The overwhelming majority of them had not reported these incidents as they did not believe that this would give any positive result. Most of them were not aware of any organisation or institution to which they could address such complaints;
One in four stated that they were victims of personal crime at least once during the past 12 months and one in five responded that they had suffered racially motivated personal crime including assaults, threats and serious harassment;
A clear majority – between 65 and 100 %, depending on the country – did not report such crimes to the police. They did not trust that the police would be able to do anything;
One in three Roma interviewed had been stopped by the police during the past 12 months and half of them thought this happened because they were Roma. Many of those stopped had experienced this several times, on average four times;
The survey confirmed problems related to schooling – 30 % had gone to school for only five years or less. In addition, the employment rate was generally low (from 17 % in Romania to 44 % in the Czech Republic).
The FRA report indicates that the long history of discrimination has resulted not only in poverty but also in alienation and exclusion. The institutions set up to receive complaints about human rights violations seem not to be known by many Roma or are not seen as open or useful for them. As incidents of harassment and racist crimes are not reported in many cases, even today the depth of the discrimination is not fully reflected in official data.The exclusion of Roma is also a major cause for their migration in Europe. A recent study commissioned by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and my office highlights discriminatory practices which the Roma migrants currently face. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for action by states. 2
We know that the Roma population - whether citizens, displaced persons or migrants – is worse off than any other group in Europe in relation to key social indicators on: education, health, employment, housing and political participation.
This has not gone unnoticed. Twelve governments, including those in the Balkans, cooperate in a joint project called “Decade of the Roma Inclusion 2005-2015” which seeks to address these problems of poverty and to enhance the Roma socio-economic status. This reflects a political commitment which hopefully will contribute to breaking the vicious circle.
At the same time, we have to conclude that progress is slow. We have learnt that there is no single reform or action which would cause a quick change for the better. Though, for example, a strong investment in education, including pre-schooling, for Roma children is essential, the results would still depend on other improvements, such as ensuring better housing conditions and enhanced health care. A comprehensive but also participatory and sustained programme is needed.
What is absolutely essential is to combat anti-Gypsyism. The continued negative attitudes of many in the majority population is a deep problem. Without changes in these all the programmes will fail.
I believe that truth commissions on previous persecution of Roma would be useful to counter ignorance. The Council of Europe has produced unique fact sheets on the Roma history in Europe which would teach any serious reader about the horrible consequences of anti-Gypsyism in the past - mass killing of Roma during the nazi and fascist era but also other atrocities committed against these people for several generations.3
There is still too little factual, informative education about the Roma culture and history in ordinary schools. Production of national learning material can draw from the Council of Europe fact sheets – which, indeed, the Italian government has recently decided to do.
Hate speech must be stopped. It is crucial that leading politicians and other opinion makers avoid anti-Roma rhetoric and, instead, stand up for principles of non-discrimination, tolerance and respect for people from another background. I have previously been prompted to react against some stereotyping statements by politicians, for instance, in Romania and Italy and have noticed that such statements are now becoming more rare.
However, politicians also express themselves through concrete decisions, and it still happens that mayors or other local authorities take steps which violate human rights of Roma communities. A recent example was when people were chased away from a Roma camp in Belgrade in a manner which did not follow acceptable procedures for eviction.
The eviction came as a surprise to the Roma who had been promised a later deadline and had not been offered appropriate alternative accommodation. The situation became worse when the locals attacked the Roma who had been relocated to temporary containers in one of the suburbs. These mistakes were not planned – and were regretted by the central government - but indicated a lack of serious care and human rights considerations by the local authorities. Would this have happened to non-Roma?
In north Mitrovica in Kosovo4 I recently visited a Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian camp which had been established in a severely lead contaminated area. Several years ago it been established that living here was hazardous, in particular for children and pregnant mothers. This health danger had been convincingly proven be a medical team from the World Health Organization as early as 2004. Now, five years later, many of the Roma still live on this toxic site.
Even considering the complicated political situation in north Mitrovica, it is utterly unacceptable that the camp inhabitants have not been assisted to move. It is even more embarrassing that the international community is at least partly responsible for this failure. The inhabitants I talked to were convinced that their situation would have been resolved long ago if they had belonged to another ethnic group. Unfortunately, I cannot but share their conviction.
Thomas Hammarberg
--------------------------------------------Notes:
1. European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey (EU-MIDIS), Fundamental Rights Agency: http://fra.europa.eu/. (back)
2. See study on recent migration of Roma in Europe. (back)
3. http://romafacts.uni-graz.at/. (back)
4. “All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.” (back)

Dear Jo..........

2009-02-19T21:02:00.002Z

This beautiful poem was written by my 19 year old son Tom, who has Aspergers Syndome & Paranoid Schizophrenia. Tom has a work placement with other people with mental health problems.
He came home tonight upset as his special friend Jo is going through a very difficult time..so he sat down and wrote her this poem, which he says I can share with you all

Dear Jo...
Come here or gentle lady so, loving and fare
Come to me if you need some one to listen, and for you I will care
Come to me when you are troubled let me feel your face
Oh gentle lady I will take you to another place
Under the clouds or on the moon,
In the stars where we may loom
And together we shall fly through the impossible dream
Climb countless mountains and go over many a stream
Permit to hold your gentle hand
And together we shall fly to a different land
A land where there is only you and I and the blue ever lasting sky
Come with fair gentle Jo together we shall fly.
I will let you see Mars or the oceans blue
Come fly with me fare lady loving and true
Come walk with me in but the suns sweet rays
Come with me and go over calm gentle waves,
Do not be troubled or be in sadness
Don’t feel alone lost in madness
Don’t find your self-loosing your sanity
Come from your hardships and with me, leave reality
Fly with me its not impossible, we just leave gravity
Hold my hand I wont let you fall, or let go
Come with my darling sweet Jo
Together we can look down on earth so green
We shall fly together to places you have never seen
And under the stars, and to the moon we shall embrace
My hand wrapped around you, looking at in to your eyes, and stroking your face
And then we shall return to where Mortals only know
But they shall never know the places we go
Only you and I share that secret land
And if you want to go back, just hold my hand
No other mortal will ever see
The places we go, just you and me
Let them wonder in their own mind of what this place be
But they cannot see it, nor can they be as free
For we just let our souls together take flight
And they will never know what that place is, or how is it a wonderful sight
Its just that little place, under a tree
Just a little place for you and for me.
And what a wonderful place it can be.

Signed Your Dear friend Thomas
Copyright. Thomas Schewitz 2009

Pope Welcomes Back Anti-Semitic Bishop ~ An Insult To Holocaust Survivors & Victims

2009-01-29T14:33:00.005Z

This week on 27th January it was Holocaust Memorial Day the anniversary of the date of the liberation of Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

I would normally have a great deal to say on the subject and as always point out the many other Holocausts since WW2, and how we should be mindful always that the possibility of even more is not only very real but very likely.

I am sad to say that the Vatican, far from acknowledging that inactivity on their part during WW2 probably helped set the scene whereby Nazism flourished. They now appear to have a Pope in Benedict XVI a Pontiff that echo's some very Nazi views.

Pope Piux XII is often referred to as "Hitler's Pope" as not only did he do little to condemn Nazism which would have in turn gone a long way to possibly prevent the devastation of the Holocaust. Pope Piux XII appeared to both aid and abet the Nazi's in order to consolidate his power over the Catholic Church.
There are historians who state a different case, that this label of "Hitler's Pope" is unfounded as Piux XII was secretly plotting against the Nazi's, Please forgive my utter cynicism, it is what can be seen openly practised that makes the impact. It is also all to often the case that there are some that will always change allegiance to be on the winning side. It would hardly have been acceptable after the event and the discovery of the horrors of the death camps for the Vatican to be seen to have been true supporters.Make no mistake, which ever Pope is in place, he is in reality nothing more than a figure head for a very successful business.

Any doubters that PiuxXII and therefore The Vaitcan were complicit with Nazi activities in WW2, should look to the present day.In a world unsettled both politically and economically we have Pope Benedict XVI, since being elected in April 2005 he has caused insult and controversy.
In September 2006 Benedict caused outrage in the Muslim world when speaking at the University of Regensburg.During his seminar entitled "Faith, Reason and the University: Memories and Reflections" he quoted the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II
""Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Understandable the Muslim world took exception to this, Here we have a Pope, who should be striving for religious tolerance and understanding with these words actively doing the very opposite. There is enough neurosis in this world in regard to Islam, and most of it based on lack of understanding.

In December 2008 at his "End of Year Address" The Pope spoke of Gender, Homosexuality and Transsexuals, he stated that

""But, in so doing, the human being lives against the truth and against the Spirit creator. Rain forests deserve, yes, our protection but the human being - as a creature which contains a message that is not in contradiction with his freedom but is the condition of his freedom - does not deserve it less"

This is a disturbing stance to take over fellow human beings from "Gods representative on earth", of course in this popes lifetime measures were taken to rid the world of this perceived threat.

Pope Benedict XVII was born in Bavaria in 1927. At 14 he joined the Hitler Youth, and much as it is claimed that he often did not attend meetings, one could be forgiven for suspecting that exposure to such at an impressionable age has certainly impacted on him

Just recently the excommunicated Bishop Richard Williamson has been received back into the fold. This man is claimed to be "dangerously anti-Semitic". How can this Pope even entertain this maniac?
Giving an interview to Swedish TV, Williamson, whilst speaking in Regensburg recently said;

“hugely against six million having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler. I believe there were no gas chambers”.
He added: “I think that 200,000 to 300,000 Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps, but none of them by gas chambers.”
Note
Regensburg is the same venue where the Pope made his offensive speech about The Muslims and where he once taught.
Holocaust denial is an offence under German law and prosecutoers in Regensburg have opened an enquirey
Sayings of Williamson,
(as published in The Catholic Herald March 2008)

Sayings of Bishop Williamson
'In accordance with their false messianic vocation of Jewish world-domination, the Jews are preparing the Anti-Christ's throne in Jerusalem.'
'Can you imagine Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music staying with the Captain if the romance went out of their marriage? Would she not divorce him and grab his children to be her toys? All the elements of pornography are there...'
'This is my diagnosis of the Unabomber. You may say what you like about him as a criminal terrorist, and much of it is true... But he still has a remotely Catholic sense of how technology brutalises man. How Catholic are those technophiles who wallow at ease in their computers? Give me the Unabomber's seriousness over their shallowness, any day of the week.'
'A woman can do a good imitation of handling ideas, but then she will not be thinking properly as a woman. Did this lawyeress check her hairdo before coming into court? If she did, she is a distracted lawyer. If she did not, she is one distorted woman.'
I feel for the Worlds Catholics as I know they do not share this mans views or those views held by the Pope on Gays or Muslims, but these speeches by him are creating a very dangerous environment, they are the seeds of discontent and suspicion, and scattered far and wide could yet again have devastating results,
Great Oaks and little acorns come to mind.

Put the above together with the finger printing in Italy of Gypsy children, and the camps that have been built to house them "for their own safety" as they are the victims of frequent mob attacks.
The Vatican could do so much to combat this, but so far apart from a few carefully chosen words, have not done so.

Taking all into account, the world political and economic climate, the apparent need to scapegoats and someone to vent hate upon, all the ingredients are there, look back at the history, pay close attention to the economic side. Then consider the power of the Papacy

Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Bavaria the strong hold of the Nazi's. When he was a Cardinal he was known as "PanzerKardinal" because of his hardline stance.

"Give me the child.......and I will show the man"

I understand that there is some unease within the Vatican of late publicly they defend the Pontiff but there is concern, one Vatican prelate said privately

"the Church will pay the price for this one...The Pope is undermining the legacy of John Paul II.

Court of Appeal Rules Against the Residents of Dale Farm over 1000 Face Eviction

2009-01-26T14:18:00.006Z

On the morning of 22nd January 2009 the Court of Appeal gave it's finding in regard to Dale Farm

The Case was decided by 3 Lord Justices

Lord Justice Pill

Lord Justice Moses

Lord Justice Lloyd

Sadly the previous decision by Mr Justice Collins was over turned and it was found that Basildon Distect Council was not acting unlawfully when it sought to evict the residents.

The full decision is attached, but in brief Lord Justice Pill stated that

"there was a problem for traveller families caused by the limited areas where they may lawfully park".

And this it has to be said is a very large part of the problem. However what is overlooked as far as I can see is the fact that although Gypsy and Travelling families can buy land, they do not get the same or equal consideration by Local Authorities when applying for planning permission, as that afforded to the settled community

It is a very sad and distressing decision for the families that live in the community at Dale Farm.

I would hasten to add that this is purely Legal Decision, as the Court of Appeal can only consider a decision made, and appealed on a point of law, therefore any decision must be made on the existing law as set down.

To prevent future problems we should campaign for the law to be ammended to give "equality to all" applying for planning permission in UK. and for respect for cultural needs and presevation of cultural identity

Let us hope that even at this late hour Basildon Council will make a "moral decision"

If you feel strongly about this I suggest you express your opinion to the Chief Exectitive of Basildon Council, Mr Bala Mahendran bala.mahendran@basildon.gov.uk

alternately the postal address and direct line to his office are as follows

Bala Mahendran

Chief Executive of Basildon Distrct Council

The Basildon Centre

St Martins Square

BASILDON

Essex. SS14 1DL

tel 01268-294506

I noted with interest that Mr Mahendran is an Asian gentleman, and I would guess looking at his photograph that he would be in middle age.

Mr Mahendran must surely remember, as I do that not that long ago in UK people people were totally nuerotic about people of colour moving into their street or locality, certain that this would devalue their properties ( sound familar), and Enoch Powell made his famous "rivers of blood" speech.

All sorts of stories abounded, and were readily believed about the unsavoury lifestyles and habits of these people, likewise today stories circulate about the Gypsy and Travelling community, these are as unfounded and based bothing more than ignorance and intolerance and fuelled vigorously by certain national newspapers

All of this prejudice was as unacceptable then as the prejudice against Gypsy and Travellers is now. Gypsies are UK's oldest ethnic minority, and yet when it comes to "equality" we are sadly denied this.

Please Mr Mahendran, give our people the same rights and consideration as your family and ethnic group enoy!

To read full Judgement click link below

http://dgllaw.co.uk/files/220109_McCarthy.doc

Yet More Anti-Gypsyism in UK Press

2009-01-10T21:25:00.004Z

Yet again the UK Press have felt it perfectly fine to print an article that is blatantly Anti-Gypsy.

The article can be read by clicking the link below. The latest missive appeared in this mornings Daily Mail.

Whilst I can neither confirm or deny the crimes and incidents listed in this article, I would say that if these crimes have been committed then they have been comitted by "some" Gypsy and Travellors, but this article seems to lead the reader to the conclusion that "all" people from our community behave in this was, and therefore all Gypsy and Travellors should be prevented from setting up home on sites.

If this level of hatred was directed at any other minority group in this country there would be public outcry, and quite rightly so.

Recently there seems to be trend in UK press for running such articles which is totally unacceptable.

I share the view that such articles incite racial hatred and should be reported to the police, I myself have reported todays Daily mail article to both my local police authority and to the Metropolitan police, locally the Inspector I spoke to is "taking advice", the Met on the otherhand, stated that such a complaint can only be taken by them if it is presented to them by the Press Complaints Commission, they did not accept my stance that the Police should accept any complaint of a criminal act made to them by a member of the public, who have the right to access police help.

However the Met did give me a crime ref/log number, so if anyone wishes to support my complaint you can ring the Met on 0300-123-1212 and quote Crime Ref/ Log number CHS 9204 of 10th January 2009.

UPDATE

Since posting I have had the following information from Lord Avebury..which I have no doubt is accuarate...read this and then follow the link below to the article

If anyone from the site mentioned in the Daily Mail article reads this and wishes to make complaint PLEASE do so, if you want help doing so please email me gyps1e1957@aol.com

"The Press Complaints Commission say that only complaints from a person who is himself or herself affected by an article has the right to complain. If you know a Gypsy or Traveller living on an unauthorised site in the area mentioned who is prepared to complain it would be good, because in the case of previous anti-Gypsy articles this has always been the stumbling-block.Its also necessary to campaign widely for a change in the terms of reference of the PCC, so that racist articles could be the subject of a complaint by organisations representing the group concerned.

Regards,

Eric Avebury"

The offending article is below

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1111202/Now-police-object-gipsy-camp-picturesque-village--racist.html

I am also adding information from an email I recieved recently fromhe Travellor Law Reform Project..shown below

Racist press articles and resistance to site provision

Two unfortunate developments have begun occurring recently. TLRP believes that they are closely linked.

The first is that there have been a number of inflammatory articles in several newspapers concerning site provision for Gypsies and Travellers. Complaints have been made to the Daily Express, the Police Complaints Commission and the police. A protest was held outside the offices of the Press Complaints Commission on Thursday 4 December, at which Candy Sheridan, Vice Chair of the Gypsy Council, handed in a number of individual letters of complaint. The PCC has agreed to meet with the Gypsy Council to discuss the current attacks on Gypsies and Travellers in the press. The police, meanwhile, have moved the complaint of incitement to racial hatred back and forth between Sussex and City of London police and now handed it to the Press Complaints Commission for advice. This is clearly unacceptable, as an allegation has been made that a crime has been committed by the Daily Express, and it is not for an unaccountable body such as the Press Complaints Commission to do the work of the police in investigating the allegation.

A Little Treat for You All :-)..The Magic of the Sinti and Gypsy Swing

2008-12-07T13:26:00.000Z

TABOR

It's been such a long time since I posted..Thanks for all the emails and good wishes..I hadn't disappeared..I have had some personal difficulties to try and deal with.

I'm sending you all some music ..I hope you enjoy it..I tried to upload them as videos but for some reason blogspot was having none of it so you will have to click on the links below.

http://www.freewebs.com/tabor-gypsymusic/apps/videos/videos/view/1096433-o-dschipen

and if you liked that .....try this..I adore the bitti moosh with the guitar thats bigger than himself ..bless him

http://www.sintimusic.nl/video/player.php?file=../upload/videos/26.flv&name=Dark%20Eyes%20-%20Paulus%20Schäfer,%20Stochelo%20Rosenberg,%20Jimmy%20Rosenberg%20e.a.

There are some serious issues that I will post soon..but for now ...just enjoy that Gypsy Swing

Dale Farm

2008-09-16T20:46:00.000Z

The previous post about the planned siezure of children prior to the possible eviction at Dale Farm prompted 2 quite negative comments ( click on the comments link on that post to view)

I would like to thank Dick Jones for emailing me his informed thoughts on the subject. So valid and accurate are the observations made by Dick that I have decided that they are best used as a new post

Many thanks Dick

GYPSY ACTION – TAKE A TIP FROM THE BALKANS!

By Dick Jones

The previous post tells a grim and depressing tale indeed. It would seem that in addressing the ‘Gypsy Problem’ our own local authorities have been studying the philosophy and practices of the Balkan states.

Sadly, the three comments that, at the time of writing, have been appended to the previous post merely lend substance to the narrow, prejudiced and unenlightened views that prevail at the highest levels of government.

Firstly, I would say to Veshengro that the ethnic composition of the Travellers in question is absolutely not the issue here. To ignore what is little more than a process of calculated hostage taking and blackmail on the part of a duly constituted county council in order to pick away at the old English-versus-Irish Traveller issue is, to say the least, crass. History has demonstrated again and again what happens when minorities sharing victim status in the face of systematic persecution insist on maintaining their singularity. Can there be anything more conceptually crazy and practically witless than ignoring the need for solidarity when the pressure is on?

Secondly, in response to Angela B’s insistence on the observance of the letter of the law, I have to say that I find it astonishing that in spite of all the easily accessible data published concerning Traveller numbers, official site availability and planning permission, there are those who’d rather look no further than the ends of their noses in the defence of a set of laws that are unjust and unworkable.

Sorry, guys, but it’s watch-my-lips time! These are the facts.

Traveller numbers. The most recent authoritative data tells us that there are between 90,000 and 120,000 Travellers in the UK today. In July last year, the government tallied 15,014 caravans in England and Wales. Most of them - 10,777 - are on council-run or legal private sites. Just over a quarter are on unauthorised sites - 1,855 - or roadside verges - 2,409 - the unaccommodated total being 4,264. And this figure is changing almost as I write. In 1979, the government tallied 8,358 Traveller caravans in England and Wales. By last year, there were 15,014, not far off double the number in 20 years.

Site availability. The government reckons that there is a need for 4,500 extra pitches in England and Wales. Clearly something of a challenge. However, since in 1994 the Tories trashed the Caravan Sites Act of 1968 (whereby county councils were obliged to provide official sites for Travellers ‘residing in or resorting to’ their territory), the legal requirement to provide sites has released councils from their obligations and the slow, painful but ultimately positive process of providing sites has ground to a halt. Traveller numbers, however, have risen.

Planning permission. So the government of the time seemed to be compounding an unresolved problem rather than hastening a solution. But no problem, said Home Secretary Michael Howard. We’ll establish a level playing field and encourage Travellers to apply for planning permission with no let or hindrance. And an official recommendation was circulated to all county councils suggesting that they identify land within their authority that might be allocated to Traveller families applying for planning permission. To date, 90% of planning applications by Travellers have been turned down with two-thirds of all appeals being rejected against 20% of applications by the sedentary population.

Clearly the overall situation is untenable. According to the BMA, the Traveller community is the health group most at risk in the entire country with the highest child mortality rate and lowest life expectancy. Also Ofsted has identified Traveller children as having low levels of overall educational achievement and as being highly vulnerable to bullying.

The only solution to the inevitability of illegal encampment – whether it be the highly organised and resourceful community of Dale Farm or a patch of scrub next to a landfill facility – is the provision of a network of properly convened sites across the country. Their design and construction should be determined through full consultation with both the Traveller and the housed community. Only through a mutual understanding of the very real concerns and requirements of both communities will this endlessly ongoing conflict be resolved.

Secret Plan To Seize Over A Hundred Gypsy Children in UK

2008-09-06T21:28:00.001Z

The Article below by Gratton Puxton reveals a shocking and sinister plan..who could ever imagine this mind-think could be possible in a modern day Britain.
These tactics have been used in the past, Gratton was himself involved in an eviction in the 1960's when children were removed, he, himself lost his trailer..in effect ..he lost his home.

(Pictures of Dale Farm)

Secret plan to seize over a hundred Gypsy children

By Grattan Puxon, Dale Farm
dale.farm@btinternet.com

A whistle-blower has revealed the existence of secret plans to seize more than a hundred Gypsy children from the besieged Dale Farm Travellers' community and take them into temporary care.

If a judge gives the go-ahead, the children will be taken by force from their parents as part of the biggest anti-Gypsy operation ever mounted in Britain.

Basildon District Council has set aside five million euro to bulldoze Dale Farm and drive over a thousand so-called illegal Gypsies and Travellers from the area. It has already demolished a dozen Gypsy properties at nearby Hovefields.

According to details obtained by Ustiben, Essex County Council welfare officers would enter Dale Farm village in a fleet of coaches and mini-buses, accompanied by bailiffs and police, some in riot gear.

The media will be told the removal of infants and youngsters, among them some seventy primary-school children, along with the elderly and vulnerable, is for their own safety.They will be detained at a holding centre some miles from Dale Farm.

Officials anticipate that within hours frantic parents will call to demand their children back. According to instructions, they are to be released providing families agree immediately to leave the county under polic escort.

Heavy vehicles, including JCBs, earth-movers and lowloaders will be employed for at least a week raising the village. Its five tarmacked streets, lined by fenced and walled yards, comprise 132 chalets, mobile-homes and caravans, as well as the new Saint Christopher' s community centre and chapel.

Saint Christopher' s is named after a school built by Travellers in Ireland 45 years ago and burned down by Dublin Corporation. It's the headquarters of the Dale Farm Chaveys Youth Club, formed this summer with the help of the Essex Racial Equality Council.

The Gypsy Council is meeting in the centre on Tuesday (9 Sept) to discuss the threat. It has asked for and obtained a confrontation with top Essex officials at County Hall, Chelmsford, which is expected to take place later in the week.

Gypsy Council president Richard Sheridan, chair of the Dale Farm Housing Association, views the county council plan as an abuse of welfare legislation.

"This is county council collusion with Basildon's policy of ethnic-cleansing, " commented Sheridan, who is attending the Roma Summit in Brussels later this month. "They want to crush our homes and take away our children."

Gypsy Council secretary Joseph G.Jones, recently appointed a technical expert to the UN Advisory Committee on Forced Evictions, has submitted a report on the situation for the UN body, which met last week in Nairobi.

The issue as to whether Basildon can destroy Dale Farm, located in a greenbelt zone and lacking planning consent, without alternative accommodation being provided for the 90 families, is to be decided in the Court of Appeal on 5 December.--

An Urgent Appeal From The Balkans

2008-08-10T15:23:00.000Z

I have recieved News from my friend Milenko, he has sent the following message and links. I ask you all to take the time to read the publication, please send this link on to as many people as possible. The winter will soon draw in, and as has happened in the past in Kosovo many will perish.

I was horrofied, but not at all surprised to read that the Red Cross no longer provides donations to refugees and the displaced. When people give their kind "donations" to the Red Cross I wonder is they are aware of this...I think not. Refugees and the displaced are surely amongst the most vulnerable people on the planet, yet this worldwide charity offers them no help, Shameful.
You can tell them what you think at this email address webmaster.gva@icrc.org

I urge you all to contact the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and ask for urgent assistence

UNHCR is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
address:
United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesCase Postale 2500CH-1211 Genève 2 DépôtSuisse.
telephone number:+41 22 739 8111 (automatic switchboard).

To contact by email you will need to go to the website
http://www.unhcr.org/contact.html

OPRE ROMA!

The message from Milenko is below;

Dear friends,
Balkan Refugee Voice is a publication that in this issue informs readers about the living conditions of refugees living in Serbia, about the Readmission Agreement signed by Serbia and the EU, about Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Kosovo, and the Erased (Izbrisani) from Slovenia.You can download Balkan Refugee Voice here:
http://freedomfight.net/cms/uploads/BalkanRefugeeVoice_web.pdf
And if you would like to print it and distribute it you can download it here:
http://freedomfight.net/cms/uploads/BalkanRefugeeVoice_print.pdf

Freedom Fight (Serbo-Croatian: Pokret za slobodu) is an organization devoted to working on issues of worker, refugee, and students' rights. Among other projects Freedom Fight organizers produce Z-Magazine Balkans, a printed version of Z-Magazine in the Serbo-Croatian language, as well as monthly bulletins such as Workers' Voice, Refugee Voice, etc. produced by and for affected communities.
More at:
http://www.zmag.org/zspace/group/freedomfight
Freedom Fight (Pokret za slobodu)

Roma Education in Belarus

2008-08-10T15:05:00.001Z

I have recieved the following article from Nicolas Kalinin in Belarus. Again, I would be grateful if after you have read this, you pass it on.
Education is paramount to to future of our people,
Nais tuke Nicolas mi pral !

Don’t stay aside from Belarus

Recently Lukashenko signed new edition of State educational system program. It was so many discussion about future edition in society but finally everything happened even worst that anybody accepted.
Belarusian authority still neglects national minorities. I want to remind, that some years ago Belarusian Section of International Society of Human Rights have done proposition to Lukashenko about Roma educational problems. One from there plenty directions how to solve low percent of Educated Roma people, was idea to establish Roma school or Roma classes. By official origins of information, only 2 percent of Roma population has finished secondary school (9 classes). Its official number, which seems too increased (exaggerated) a lot to decorate real situation.
Well, now Belarus has new Educational system. But again Roma minority in Belarus still has not been involved in educational process. Some independent experts assured that its not single case, its policy. Policy to prevent Roma people to been educated, to prevent Roma people to have a job, to separate Roma people from society! Odd, isn’t it? Its not odd, its terrible but we have to live with it.
Belarusian authority well informed about Roma minority problems, they have access to all information. But it’s a policy in Belarus. In Belarus discrimination against Roma is not a social problem. Its political. Actually, nothing new, we saw that kind of behavior before. From Saddam, When Kurds had not rights at all and it was in contemporary history.
I always ask myself, what poor Roma people have done to Belarusian Authority, to merit so strong hate in return? Its strange because, Roma is single minority discriminated in Belarus. There is no discrimination against Poles minority in Belarus, it wasn’t Poles minority in Belarus and wouldn’t be even in theory. Famous “Grodno” case nothing more than well financed fake. Why Roma?
Europe and USA have to do something for Belarus. Its so beautiful country, I really like it, so, It seems to me, we deserves to give as a hand. Don’t stay aside from Belarus.

Kalinin Nicolas
European Roma Travelers Forum
Roma_Rights@yahoo.com

"Red Cross Collaborates in Ethnic Filing of Roma in Italy"

2008-07-16T10:12:00.001Z

Once again the Red Cross are demonstrating that they are not in fact "nuetral" as they always claim to be. Italian Police are being assisted by the Red Cross to carry out the abhorent act of finger printing the Romani people, including innocent little children.

The Romani in Italy live in squallor and are the victims of frequent and extreme racial attacks, which the police fail to prevent.

The Red Cross should be involved, but far from finger printing these poor people they should be doing what they can to help them.

Although I do not dispute that the Red Cross does do a huge amount of good work worldwide, sadly when it comes to our people it is a very different story. In a more recent "Holocaust" the Red Cross failed to help the Roma when they were dying , often freezing to death on the Macedonian border, the help was there, but the Red Cross workers who were mostly Albanian refused the aid on purely racial grounds.

In World War 2 the Red Cross played an active part, collaborating with the Nazi's and aiding them in the deportation of innocent people to the death camps.

And now we have this horror taking place in a modern Europe, in a so called civilized country.
Please email the spokes person for the International Committee for the Red Cross to protest.

fwestphal.gva@icrc.org

Please also sign the petition

http://www.petitiononline.com/08041971/

NA BISTER ~~ OPRE ROMA !!

Press release - European Center for Antiziganism Research Monday July 14, 2008
http://www.openpr.com/news/48590/Red-Cross-Collaborates-in-Ethnic-Filing-of-Roma-in-Italy.html
Massimo Barra, the head of the Italian Red Cross, insisted that the aim was to integrate Roma people into Italian society. If children were fingerprinted, it would be done "as a game", he said. Mr Barra said the Red Cross "always respects human rights. We are building bridges, not walls." 5 July, The Times
The European Center for Antiziganism Research based in Hamburg, Germany condemns in the strongest possible terms the involvement of the Italian Red Cross in assisting the Italian Government in the ethnic registration and profiling of Roma. We urge members of European Civil Society to condemn this action of the Italian Red Cross and to pressure the Red Cross (internationally) to demand that their Italian division withdraw from this involvement.
The registration of minorities is contrary to European Data and Minority Protection legislation in Italy, and yesterday, the European Parliament itself passed a Resolution against the fingerprinting of Roma in Italy, see a recent news report at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7500605.stm
The announcement that the Red Cross will assist the Italian police in the registration and fingerprinting of Roma in Rome, Naples and Milan was made by Massimo Barra, Head of the Italian Red Cross, in an interview published in The Times on July 5. This was confirmed in a statement by the Italian Minister of the Interior, Mr. Roberto Maroni, published in the Südtiroler Zeitung on July 10, that the government of Silvio Berlusconi is proud of the participation of the Red Cross in the ethnic registration and fingerprinting of Roma.
The decision of the Italian Red Cross to assist a neo-fascistic Government in singling out the Roma for registration and profiling is chillingly reminiscent of Red Cross collaborations with the Nazis during WWII in the registering, deportations and destruction of Roma life. Moreover, today these actions are being validated by arguments that are similar to those of Nazi German, which state that Roma and Sinti need to be controlled as a means of “crime-prevention”.
We ask every Board and Organizational Structure of the Red Cross to condemn the actions of the Italian Red Cross which support the current Italian government’s recent measures towards Roma.
We request an official Statement from the International Red Cross, as a matter of urgency, condemning the behaviour of the Italian Red Cross for their support of the policies of the neo-fascistic Italian Government. We demand an immediate interdiction of this support for the Italian Police in ethnic profiling and registrations of Roma.
Furthermore, we urge members of European Civil Society to pressure the Red Cross by withdrawing their support, and stopping their financial support to its activities.

The Roma in Italy~ A case of Deja Vu?

2008-07-01T23:50:00.003Z

I do not need to express my horror and outrage at the communication I have received from the Council of Europe, Concerms have been raised for some time about the Italian government making "camps" to keep the Roma in. Cast your mind back 60+ years. But more recently...remember Kosovo..Ruanda..and currently the situation in Zimbabwi.
History just keeps repeating itself over and over again

In response to the many requests for information on who to write to to express disapproval. May I suggest that you contact the Pope. During WW2 Pope Piux X11 maintained a public front of indifference on the grounds of "nuetrality". I'm not going to deliver one of my famous rants about this, however I do think that this Pope given his own history and background should be seen to speak out against this. The Popes English is impeccable therefore he will understand any correspondence written to him in English.I'm sure he would want to hear peoples veiws on this, with that in mind ...here is the Holy Father's personal email address benedictxvi@vatican.va

Please read the communication from The Council of Europe, please also watch the BBC News video

Subject: SG - Proposal to fingerprint Roma in Italy - Proposition de relever les empreintes digitales des Roms en Italie
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:14:38 +0200

From: "Council of Europe "

Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis on the proposal to fingerprint Roma in Italy
Strasbourg, 27.06.2008 - "The Italian Minister of Interior is reported to have proposed that all Roma, including children, living in camps in Italy should be fingerprinted. This proposal invites historical analogies which are so obvious that they do not even have to be spelled out. While I believe that Italian democracy and its institutions are mature enough to prevent any such ideas becoming laws, I am nevertheless concerned that a senior member of the government of one of Council of Europe member states is reported to have made such a proposal."
Thanks to the BBC for the report below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7479298.stm
MOB VIOLENCE AGAINT GYPSIES IN NAPLES
http://www.i-italy.org/bloggers/1907/mob-violence-against-gypsies-naples

These Romani children died in "camps"

Write to your Euro MP

NA BISTER!......NEVER FORGET!

OPRE ROMA

UK's Only Gypsy Magistrate Sacked For Criticising The Police

2008-06-08T11:06:00.004Z

I would like to thank Robert Verkaik of the Independent newspaper for kindly writing this article.
If you read this and the article underneath about another Magistrate who to my mind quite rightly spoke out against the Police, then you must draw your own conclusions as to why this gentleman was not sacked, but I was
Kushti baxt
Pesha
Anyone who did not see the original posting on this matter please scroll down a little, the post on the balance of the scales of justice gives far more detail.

Straw sacks magistrate who criticised police
By Robert VerkaikSunday, 8 June 2008

Jack Straw was at the centre of a political row last night after he sacked a magistrate who criticised the police for failing to protect her daughter from being physically assaulted at school.
Mr Straw, the Secretary of State for Justice, has written to the magistrate saying that while he understands a mother's desire to help her daughter, her criticism of the police means she can no longer be trusted to be impartial in court.
"We have concluded that although you acted with the best interests of your daughter, your behaviour has led to your impartiality being brought into question," Mr Straw said in the letter. "It is clear that by mentioning you were a magistrate and then criticising the police, the two issues became linked and therefore there is doubt whether you would be able to consider matters involving the police impartially."
Shay Clipson, 50, a magistrate from Grimsby, Humberside, believed to be the only Romany magistrate on the bench in England and Wales, had asked police to help protect her 13-year-old daughter from a gang that had been bullying her in and out of school.
She claims her daughter had been subjected to beatings, racially abused, spat on, had cigarettes stubbed out in her hair, and had been thrown into the traffic on a very busy road.
The news comes a week after it emerged that the family of 15-year-old Arsema Dawit had complained to the police that she was being harassed shortly before she was stabbed to death in a London council block.
Ms Clipson said: "On 20 September 2007, my daughter had been told by a key member of this gang that she was going to be subject to a beating, possibly during the lunch break, failing that definitely on her way home. Neither the headteacher nor the head of year would make themselves available to speak to me. I told the school that in that case I would have to involve the police."
But, she said, the local police made it clear that they would not intervene. When Ms Clipson complained about the officers' alleged inaction, the police reported her behaviour to the local bench committee and then to Mr Straw, who upheld her dismissal.
Police were later forced to investigate when her daughter was badly assaulted by a family member of the same gang. In a separate incident, recorded on mobile phones and uploaded to YouTube, Ms Clipson's daughter was kicked unconscious on the school playingfield.
But Mr Straw, in a joint ruling with the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, found that by raising the fact that she was a member of the local magistracy, Ms Clipson cannot be trusted to do her job.
David Howarth, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on justice, said: "Mr Straw's action is shameful and very heavy-handed ... Why can't a magistrate criticise the police? ... The police should not be able to end the career of a magistrate just because they don't like being criticised."
Ms Clipson said she feels let down by the system. "I was acting as a mother who had good reason to be both furious and to question the lack of competence and ethics that were being displayed. Not only was my child terrified for her safety, this campaign of terror was based on racism, mainly her Welsh accent, and possibly her Romany background, yet the police were not doing enough to support her."

Magistrate’s shock at Boro fans’ treatment by police
Apr 30 2008 by Marie Levy, Evening Gazette

TEESSIDE magistrate Mick Dobson today told of his shock at seeing innocent fans intimidated by police at the Wear-Tees derby.
The Sunderland fan has vowed never to attend another derby match after witnessing what he describes as police provoking trouble from the minute fans stepped off the train.
Mr Dobson, who works as a scout for Manchester City Football Club, said: “I have been working in professional football for 20 years and I have never seen anything like it.
“I have nothing but scorn for Northumbria Police, so much so that I will not go to another derby match again. I feel nothing but sympathy for the Middlesbrough supporters; they were very harshly treated.”
Mr Dobson, who lives in Norton, got the train to the match with his wife, Maureen and Boro fans Maggie and Len Robinson of Billingham.
He said there was a stark contrast between the way police treated them at Middlesbrough and the hostile reception they got in Sunderland.
“Police at Middlesbrough station put the four of us at the bottom end of the train. They operated really friendly and professionally.
“There were Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Nottingham Forest supporters on the train. The banter was very friendly and there were no incidents

“As we came into Sunderland railway station we saw about 50 police on the platform, many in full riot gear. They opened only one door which meant we had to get off the train one at a time.
“Ten to 20 police ran towards us shouting, screaming and banging their riot gear - it was unbelievable. The police were very intimidating and very aggressive. There were a lot of people getting pushed about who were not even going to the match.
“One old woman was crying her eyes out. She had only gone up for the shopping.”
When questioned an inspector told Mr Dobson it was his job to be intimidating but he soon changed his tone when he was informed that Mr Dobson was a magistrate.
“They escorted us to the exit but all the doors were locked and bolted. If there had been a fire there would have been a lot of casualties,” said Mr Dobson, who also had to wait for over an hour for his friends to be let out of the Stadium of Light after the match.
“The police were provoking a lot of the trouble. To be honest I might not even go back to Sunderland. I’m at an age now where I do not want the hassle.
“I was just really annoyed that people could be treated like this.
“As a magistrate I try to be fair and reasonable and look at both sides, people are always innocent until proven guilty.”
Northumbria Police Superintendent Neil Mackay, head of the force’s operations unit, said: “From the intelligence and evidence we had we were aware that large numbers of risk groups from both sides would be attending the match.
“They arrived at the city centre early and began drinking in public houses and there was some disorder during the match.”
He said most fans were good supporters but there were some groups causing confrontation.
“My officers came under attack from bottles,” he said. “My intention at any game like this is to prevent innocent fans from being injured.
“We did that, but the only way to police a match safely is to take a strong stand with some supporters.”

Plight Of The Roma in Serbia

2008-06-01T13:47:00.000Z

I have been asked by "Freedom Fight" to inckude their video on the plight of the Roma in Serbia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M8RY2TJ59Q

Please take the time to watch this video about a very sad situation

I apologise to the good people at Freedom Fight for the delay in getting this posted

you can also visit the Freeedom Fight web page

www.freedomfight.net

How Balanced Are The Scales of Justice in UK Courts

2008-02-27T16:42:00.007Z

This posting is rather long and I apologise in advance for this, however I would ask that time is taken to read it, and I would appreciate comment and feedback on this issue. I am not asking for this on a personal basis (although I am relating a personal experience) but I feel strongly that this posting might well be highlighting a far reaching problem, that may have dire consequences not just for those from minority groups, but also for any defendant, appearing before a Magistrates Bench on any day, in any town in UK.

If you come from an Ethnic Minority group, you are more likely to be stopped by the Police, you are more likely to be arrested and appear in Court, and as a result you are more likely than non minority defendants to receive a custodial sentence. What is not always so readily publicised is that as a member of a minority group you are also far more likely to be the victim of crime. Minorities are greatly under represented within the Criminal Justice System. I became increasingly aware of the disproportionate numbers of those from minority groups within the prison population; I was also becoming aware that it appeared that the Travelling Community seemed to be sent to prison very readily. I wondered if this was due to the transient nature of our lifestyle. I wondered if with some understanding this might somehow in the fullness of time be improved.

With all of the above in mind and after much thought, I applied to become a Magistrate, I felt I had a great deal to offer, and was able to have an insight and understanding of many different aspects of life, due to my quite diverse life experiences.

I passed through each stage of the interview process; having always answered the questions asked of me as honestly as possible, I also passed the checks that are made to make sure I was of good character. It’s quite a long drawn out process but after all checks and interviews were complete I was duly appointed. The aim these days is for a diverse Bench and on face value that is exactly what you appear to get. The training included and afternoon on “Diversity” which to all present, seemed a little OTT, and on times PC gone crazy, but ok, at least the effort was there. All in all the training was impressive.

In September of 2007, I had cause to telephone the Police, my 13 year old daughter had contacted me from school during the lunch break absolutely petrified. She had been the victim of an ongoing bullying campaign that was particularly nasty; it had been going on for 2 years by this time. The gang involved were 2 years older than her, and had terrorised her to the point where her health and education were suffering (she had missed almost a years school before returning in the September). The school had consistently failed to take any action at all, even though 1 gang member had been prosecuted the September previous. My daughter had been subjected to beatings, she had been spat on, cigarettes had been stubbed out in her hair, she had been verbally abused threatened, and thrown into the traffic on a very busy road outside of her school amid a barrage of threats, racist abuse and foul language. On the day in Question 20th September 2007, my daughter had been told by a key member of this gang that she was going to be subject to a beating, possibly during the lunch break, failing that definitely on her way home. Neither the Head Teacher nor the head of year would make themselves available to speak to me, I told the school that in that case I would have to involve the Police.

The Police made it clear that they did not intend to intervene. A very rude and abrasive female officer informed that they were “not body guards”. I asked to speak to her Inspector and when he phoned me back he was equally unhelpful saying there was “Policy in place” which meant the school must deal with this, He could not tell any more about the Policy other than that he believed it existed. I explained that the school were refusing to assist, and therefore the Police must act, he refused saying there was nothing he could or would do. I requested that at the very least Harassment Orders be issued in the hope this would afford my daughter some protection, and if this failed further action could be taken, The Inspector refused saying he could not do that. I explained yes he could I had recently read the Law in relation to this, he jibed at me and asked if I read it on the internet? I explained that I was in fact a Magistrate and had this information from my “Bench Book” so it was most definitely accurate. I also brought to his attention past failings on the part of his Officers, these were personal matters in reference to my disabled son who had been attacked more than one occassion, blunders by his officers meant the perpetrators had escaped prosecution. My daughter had been sexually assaulted at her place of work ( McDonalds), refusal by Officers to collect CCTV footage meant that her assailant escaped . On one occassion an Officer had made mocking comments, and later lied by denying them when I asked his Inspector to intervene. These "personal" experiences were conveniently recorded as matters that had arisen in Court, I had apparently stated that I had heard the Police "fibbing" in Court all the time. This remark was not made, and indeed could be proven to have been very highly unlikely to have been made in my capacity as a Magistrate, but the personal incidents to which I refered would be a matter of record.
I was very angry, and told him that I would contact the Police HQ the following day and speak to the Chief Constable.

The Following day after contact with the Chief Constables Office I had a phone call from a Detective Superintendent. He was equally unhelpful, making various excuses as to just why Harassment warnings could not be issued, The gang in question were motivated by a certain family within the locality, and I was questioning as to why this family appeared untouchable, No mention was made in relation to Police Informants by me, but I was immediately subjected to a rant as to how they were not informants. One excuse was that “these people do not respond to the law”, ( I will leave the reader to muse and draw their own conclusion on this comment ) . The top and tail of it was that he was adamant that Harassment Warnings could not be issued in these circumstances, I was equally adamant that they could, and forcibly telling him that I had read the criteria in a Bench book, and that they could be, and should be and that I would not accept his refusal, I told him it was my intention to revert back to the Chief Constable.

Shortly afterwards a Sergeant phoned he called to our home, took a statement from my daughter, and miracle of miracles the Harassment Orders were Issued that evening. The Orders were issued on the gang leader, her sister and the mother.

Small incidents continued, and were reported, and then I was told by a neighbour of this family that the Harassment Orders were withdrawn. I tried on numerous occasions to contact the Inspector (who had by now been promoted to Detective Inspector). Although messages were left, he never returned my calls.

On 19th October 2007, my daughter went out early evening with some friends, she was due home by 8.30, when she had not returned by 10 my husband telephoned me ( I was away due to Gipsy Kings Tour), we were unsure what to do, and decided to give it another hour and see what transpired my husband called me back at 10.45, my daughter had just returned, in a highly distressed state, a drunken adult male from this family had held her against her will, for part of the time he had his fist in her face issuing threats, only releasing her when the male with him started to get windy about it all, the Police were notified immediately and promised to call the following day.( At the time of writing this, 27th February 2008, and despite reminders the Police still have not called in relation to this).

On October 23rd 2007, I was in London the Detective Inspector phoned ( mobile phone) I asked about the Harassment warnings, he told me they might be removed, the reason he gave was that the family concerned “objected to having them issued against them” I was astounded, The Inspector assured me he would speak to me about this on my return home, I informed him about my daughter being detained and threatened a few days before, he assured me he would follow this up.

As I had heard no more on either the status of the harassment Warnings, or what was to be done in relation to my daughter being detained against her will and threatened, I began to make calls to chase matters up This began on 7th November 2007, my daughter had again been threatened at school, and I was getting worried once more for her safety. I was assured by a Sergeant, that he had left a message for the Inspector to contact me urgently, I got no response so over the next week I left several messages, but still got no response. on 20th November 2007, and by now totally fed up. I was pondering on the position;
were this gang, led by this family untouchables?..they most certainly appeared to be.
If they were not untouchables as the Police assured me they were not, then why was my daughter not being protected by the law? ..if they were not untouchables….then was it then the case that my daughter was “fair game”? ……what could make my child fair game ? She seemed average enough..dressed like all the other kids…liked all the same music….There was only one thing that set my child apart…her accent and/or her origins.

I contacted the Office of the Chief Constable, I spoke to the Assistant Chiefs P.A, she told me she would leave a message and someone would get right back to me, nothing happened and I phoned again the following day (21st) she was surprised I had received no contact and told me she would get another message across there and then, The following day there was still no response, I tried to speak to the PA again on the Friday (23rd) but she was not in her office.

On 23rd November 2007, a letter of complaint was sent to the Bench about my conduct during telephone conversations, on 20th and 21st September 2007, these conversations were with the original female officer , 2 Sergants (with whom I never spoke) and the Inspector on 20th September, and with the Superintendent on 21st September 2007. It was felt that my conduct was one of expressing prejudice against the Police by my comments, thus meaning I could not be impartial if sitting in Court, and also that I abused my position, by telling Officers that I knew it was indeed Harassment because I was a Magistrate and I had seen the relevant criteria for Harassment in my Bench book. So, throughout the remainder of September, the whole of October, and the most part of November, some 2 months and 2 days in total, nobody felt inspired to complain, yet now on 23rd November, 3 days after I had again began to ask questions and direct them via the Chief Constables Office, suddenly I was a threat to the Justice system!

The complaint had come from The Inspector ( now Detective Inspector), The Superintendent, the first Officer I spoke to, who had been rude to me and 2 Sergeants, both of whom were named, who claimed to have been concerned by my conduct when they spoke to me , I knew without doubt that I had not spoken to these 2, the Police log later proved that I had not !

I was told I could not sit in Court until this matter resolved, I was also told there would be a hearing before a Panel of Lord Chancellors Advisory Committee for the area, I was allowed to take some one with me for moral support, and asked what days I would be available, I said that the person I wanted to go with me could go any day at all , except for a Wednesday. A hearing date was set for 30th January 2008 ..a Wednesday..apologies were made for the fact it was a Wednesday . This date was arranged in early/mid December; it seemed that it must be a Wednesday, as some “key” people needed it to be a Wednesday. To say I was beginning to feel “stitched up” is an understatement!

The Inspector and Superintendent submitted Statements, both of which were utter fabrications of the truth. The Superintendent claimed that I had phoned him, when in fact he had phoned me, a small point maybe, but important, as he is a Professional Officer who should be used to recording facts accurately. The tone of his statement was one of me using my position as a Magistrate to gain favour, which was totally wrong, I was phoning as a mother, I was stating I was also a Magistrate to try to make him listen to me, because I was correct, it was harassment, and he could and should take action, which of course he was forced to do. So clearly I was correct, I should not have had to go to such lengths of phoning the Chief Constable and quoting the law to get the help my daughter was entitled to ..”by law”.

I had attended the hearing alone, I had no choice, I was shocked that after hearing evidence from the Inspector,which took about 20 minutes at most, a break was decided upon while we waited for the Superintendent to arrive from the Police Station. The Panel were made up of 3 Magistrates who were from another Bench and whom I did not know . My disabled son was ill on that day, and I was keen to get this hearing over with to return home, the panel were aware of this, but a fiasco then took place that I found both incredulous and insulting. We had not been there long before this enforced break while we waited for the Superintendent, the inspector had left and we were stood out on a landing where coffee, and biscuits were ordered and delivered, on arrival it was decided that toast would be better having ordered the toast there was concern over whether this would be white or brown toast. There was great joviality and silliness, which I found somewhat misplaced as they were there to decide on my integrity.

The Superintendent gave a wonderful performance which was a greatly enhanced version of his original statement, and it was accepted with enthusiasm. I had written(faxed) to the Chief Constables PA on 24th January 2008 to ask if the conversations I had with the various officers would have been recorded, and also to clarify that I spoke to their office and they had the Superintendent to call me. I got no reply) On the day of the hearing (30th), his account had been nicely tailored , he now stated that he phoned me as the Chief Constables Office had asked him to, and nobody on the Panel batted an eyelid. His evidence was peppered with lies and innuendo that led me to believe that he was very subtly drawing attention to my ethnic background, and was claiming that I had told him that I was frequently racially abused within the community, and that I had sworn, I had told him about the vile racist abuse my child had been subjected to and the foul names she had been called. I was not swearing at him, I was outlining what my daughter, a child was going through.By making it sound as if I was claiming to be racially abused and name called, he was effectively making me appear an outcast in the community that as a Magistrate I was to serve!
His evidence was twisted and distorted and accepted without question by the Panel.Even though some of his claims could be proven wrong as a matter of official records.

When I had my chance to speak I pointed out that 3 of the complaining Officers had neither made statements against me or attended on that day, The Secretary to the Panel had said that he had contacted all 3 officers on several occasions asking for statements but none had responded in anyway. I had told how the 2 Sergeants mentioned had not even spoken to me, therefore the complaint against me if not proven to be false was at least exaggerated. The claim that they had spoken to me was a lie! The Polices own log proved it.

I told the Panel that I only kept repeating the fact I was a magistrate in order to make them listen to me, to prove I knew there was Law in place to protect my daughter. It was claimed that I was trying to gain some advantage…..to this day I cannot see how, asking for a child to be afforded protection from the law, and using the knowledge I had gained in my position as a Magistrate was gaining advantage? I was only asking for what any citizen is entitled to, how can asking for what is rightfully yours be in any way be gaining advantage?

I told the panel how I was not prejudiced against the Police, I saw the Police as I did any other organisation, with both good and bad within its ranks, this is a realistic view point surely?. I had only the month before given up my own time to see 2 senior officers from a neighbouring force, in order to try and help the Police understand the needs of the Gypsy and Travelling people. Far from harbouring prejudice I am keen to break down barriers and get people talking.

I made it clear that I found it abhorrent that the Police should try and have me removed from the Bench for my conduct in a personal matter, but also how I found it equally abhorrent that any Magistrate who airs concern about the Police should be subject to such an assault.

The Panel agreed with the Police, and have recommended The Lord Chancellor should remove me from my position. They failed to see that I was acting as the mother of a terrified child, and went on to say that in regard to the Police they feel that I am incapable of recognising my own prejudices! I was outraged by this comment, from 3 people who had met me for a limited time in difficult circumstances. If anything on the day I feel the Panel failed to be impartial, indeed I would go so far as to say that I felt that it mattered not a jot what I said, the Police had made a complaint and that was that.

Taking all of this into account, if any Magistrate who speaks out or airs concern about the Police should be ousted, how diverse is the Bench? All the PC diversity training in the world is useless in this environment. Magistrates sit in three’s for the purpose of balance and fairness. To my mind each case should be taken on merit and ALL of the evidence, and of course the evidence should be questioned thoroughly, a person’s liberty can depend upon it. If the Police want compliant Magistrates, and that’s certainly how it appears to me, then the integrity of the Bench and Justice itself is in jeopardy. And where in Gods name does this leave a Defendant? Doesn’t he or she have the right to expect to be in front of a Bench with a balanced and realistic outlook?. In this climate surely there would be hardly any need for a Court at all. It would be more or less a fore gone conclusion that if you stand accused by the Police, then you must be guilty, a frightening prospect.

I have been falsely accused by the Police, and the Panel, all of whom are experienced Magistrates, either failed to see, or refused to see the truth of the matter and the flaws in the complaint made against me, a worrying state of affairs to say the least, Thankfully it was my integrity alone that was at stake and not my liberty and my ability to earn a living.

The Coat of arms in the Court room bears the words ;
Dieu et mon droit(God and my right)
Honi soit qui mal y pense('Evil to him who evil thinks')

I'll second that !

Dick Jones's Blog

2008-02-15T19:14:00.002Z

I would like to thank Dick Jones for sharing his wonderful blog with me, and for allowing me to share it with you all. Dick is a Poet and this is very apparent in this beautifully written blog, which contains many of his poems.

During the 1980's Dick did a lot of work with the Romany people, there is an account of this on his blog entry dated February 11th 2008, Dick kindly gave me permission to copy this onto my blog for you to read, please go to Dicks blog to see the accompanying photographs http://patteran.typepad.com/. I'm sure you will all find this a very interesting post, and many of you will enjoy the "family names" that are mentioned.

Nais tuke Dick, Kushti baxt phral x

Extract from Dicks blog;

The other day I came across a set of photographs that I took during my association with a group of Gypsy families in the 1980s. I wished I’d laid hands on them a couple of years ago when I posted a two-part piece on Gypsies. They would have made the perfect visual accompaniment to the section on the Yateley families.

I’m going to try the patience of my longer-term readers by posting now a slightly revised version of that account so as to provide a context for the pictures.

First of all, a poem that I wrote shortly after the funeral of Ellen Collins, a woman of extraordinary wisdom & judgement. Sadly, I can find no photos of her, although I can remember her posing with great dignity & grace for several shots amongst her collection of Crown Derby china.

BEBEE ELLEN’S MERRIPEN

Sometimes they stand in twos
and threes at the edge
of the road, arms folded,
eyes unfocussed, expecting nothing

but more of the same. Dogs bark
staccato over the pulse of generators.
Washing flickers between the vans,
random semaphore, and clocks

run slow. Sun rises over the warehouse,
sets behind the chain link fence.
But on Sunday old Aunt Helen died.
Inside her trailer mourners fidget,

watched by the gold-haloed faces
of her best Crown Derby plates.
No-one speaks but half-words form
in the gas fire’s popping, in the wind

around the broken door. Holding flowers
and a card he cannot read, brush-headed
Johnny, the boxer hero, racks tears
into a cushion. Sister Lizzie

glances sideways, gnaws a fingernail.
Traffic raises curtains in the rain
and Georgie stands where his mother
used to sit at night with her roll-ups

and her pint of tea. Arms folded
and his eyes unfocussed, he dreams
awake, pondering atavistic visions
of the fires of Little Egypt,

of the briar and the gorse,
of slower tides than these
that pull us all from history
and into the new lands.

*AUNT ELLEN’S DEATH in Anglo-Romani, the dialect of Britain's Gypsies.

...

THE YATELEY GYPSIES

My interest in Gypsies has its origins in pure romance. Many years ago I picked up a book called The Wind on the Heath in a second-hand bookshop. It was an anthology of historical writings about Gypsies & within a few pages I was entirely seduced. The depiction of a raffish, swarthy, inscrutable people living not within but at the edge of society, sleeping out under the stars, poaching in the greenwood, speaking an exotic tongue represented a heady vision of freedom & self-determination & breathed new life into the fading utopian dreams of the early ‘70s.

When, eventually, I put the books aside, took courage & encountered the real thing by walking onto an illegal site at Yately a few miles from my home in Farnham, Surrey, the trappings of myth fell away. Well, maybe not entirely: the raffishness, the inscrutability, the aura of authentic difference from the (largely inhospitable) host population remained a distinctive feature always. But the loud, raucous, demanding, suspicious, sometimes confrontational persona became for a while the reality. There were many times when – mistaken for a policeman, a council official, a bailiff, or simply seen as an intrusive stranger – I had to stand my ground & deal with bitterness, confusion & anger.

I gained some credibility with the Gypsies simply by being in a position to articulate publicly their argument in the ongoing debate concerning the status of the local unofficial Gypsy site. They wanted the site granted official recognition but residents were anxious to see the back of the settlers, citing the usual objections of plummeting house prices, rubbish left at roadsides, barking dogs & tales of thefts or incidents of violence that always seemed to have happened to some one else who knew someone else who was the victim.

So I wrote a series of letters to the two local newspapers, both widely circulated, signing them as from the families on the site. With something like 80% illiteracy amongst adult Gypsies at that time this was a service that made some sense. My letters provoked fury in various forms ranging from the barely literate to the eloquently inhumane. Whilst a few murmurs of support crept onto the letters page now & then, accompanied occasionally by moderate, entirely reasonable pleas for consideration of the needs of local housedwellers, the overall effect of providing a voice for the Gypsies was to poke a stick deep into the wasps’ nest. Through many of those extreme responses I had my first encounters with the ugliness & brute ignorance that underpins so much of attitudes towards Gypsies.

Gradually the implacable reserve & suspicion of the Gypsies with whom I was liasing melted away &, as I became more involved in the mass of practical issues that resulted from illegal encampment, friendships formed. Working principally with three or four leaders (never acknowledged as such by the others, never officially accepted as such by the men themselves), I obtained legal representation & we set about prosecuting Hampshire County Council for non-implementation of the Caravan Sites Act. The least we were able to achieve in the early days was the entanglement of the Council in so much procedural red tape that actions to evict were constantly delayed & postponed. The most we achieved in the long term (& it took several years) was the provision of an official site for all the families in a decent area away from housing, sewage plants & the motorway.

During the 10 years in which I was involved with Gypsy families in Surrey & Hampshire I experienced again & again their generosity, their dark humour, their resourcefulness, their optimism, their powerful allegiance to family & their deep, self-defining pride in their ethnicity. When I moved from Surrey I lost touch with the families. But I have many abiding memories of good times & bad - of warm caravans on winter heathland, across which blew the very winds that introduced me to the Romany dream years before; of pouring rain & ankle-deep mud through which bailiff’s Landrovers slithered, towing out the very same caravans… Of the following:
• Trips up to London with men in battered hats & Luton ‘traveller’ boots to talk with Saville Row-suited barristers in Lincolns Inn Fields.
• Striking deals with the property company that bought the land on which, at one time, the families were encamped - £100.00 per family to move off voluntarily, each family represented by how ever many caravans they owned (& Fuzzy Eastwood borrowing four tourers from his family in Berkshire & driving each one out in quick succession without being recognised by the paymaster at the gate.)
• The one tap in the centre of the Napley Road site from which all the families had to draw brackish, brown water & the local doctor (who was angry about the proximity of Gypsies to his five-bedroom house) unable to deduce why so many babies & young children were brought to him with gastric complaints.
• Eating jellied eels with Johnny Stevens, Georgie Collins & Bluey Bagley on the Derby Day hillside where, traditionally, Gypsies from all over Britain traditionally gather; listening to them speaking Anglo-Romani – the poggado-jib, or ‘broken tongue’ - & understanding virtually every word.
• Turning up one morning to a piece of rough ground at the bottom of a slope in Farnborough where the families had moved days before just ahead of eviction & being shown 12 variously charred car tyres that had been rolled flaming down the slope during the night.
• Watching 70-year-old Joby Cooper step-dancing inside a circle of wildly cheering, ecstatically drunk Gypsy men & boys at Misty Collins’ wedding.
• Arguing with a local Tory MP about obligations to beleaguered Gypsy families with nowhere to go as he posed for regional television cameras & being told (off camera) that since they weren’t householders & weren’t in rented accommodation they had no vote & thus fell outside his sphere of interest.
• Standing by an outside fire one autumn evening listening to 98-year-old Nofella Smith, Bui & Georgie Smith’s grandmother, reciting without pause for recollection & barely drawing breath, the names & interrelationships of all her ancestors back five generations.
• Taking photographs of Georgie Collins, Young Joby Cooper, Old Joby Cooper & his wife Esther, Johnny Stevens, Bui & Georgie Smith, Jackie Louder, Caleb & Mary Wenman on the opening day of the new official site; watching the breezy jubilation of the County Council officials, so proud of the results of their relentless & unsparing work for the Gypsy families; looking back at the impassive faces of the Gypsy men & women, displaying no gratitude to these fly-by-night local dignitaries, expressing if anything a quiet satisfaction at the successful culmination of 8 years of dogged, stubborn battle…
• Then of walking around the trailers, all drawn up onto their own hard-won pitches to say goodbye to the families on the eve of my move from Surrey to Hertfordshire.

Latest News From Beluarus.

2008-02-15T19:03:00.000Z

I recently recieved an email from my dear friend Nicholas Kalinin in Belarus. I am attaching his email for you all to read.

Nais Tuke Nicholas & Kushti Baxt.( and thank you for your prayers)

The Email.

On January 24 Belarusian delegate in Europe and Travelers Forum, lawyer Kalinin Nicolas, accosts to Belarusian government with proposition to establish in Belarus minority and faiths roundtable.

This idea is manifest on everyday needs and challenges. In 2007 there were some serious discrepancies in Belarusian human rights policy. If we try to explore some problematic cases, we can conclude that sometimes it’s physically impossible to deliver to Belarusian government propositions and ideas from Belarusian citizens. At the same time, some proposition from Belarusian citizens, which are delivered to authority come out so distorted and baffling that nobody can benefit from it. Due to specific human reasons, finally it’s leading only to misunderstanding and can’t lead to mutual dialogue between authority and Belarusian citizens. The biggest problem is lack of dialogue among these two sides. Due to barriers and obstacles all attempts are doomed to failure.
Lack of meaningful interaction with authority leads to difficulties, which impact negatively on all layers of Belarusian society. Internal policy like a foreign policy, must be based on essential conclusions. Information is accessible in modern society and all people, who are interested in it, are allowed to use it. Sometime problems are rooted in how people implement this information. A lot depends on personal perceptions.
As a good example of successful work, is European Roma and travelers Forum. This forum enables Roma people to raise their voices and to be heard. Roma people themselves came up with this idea and Roma people are final recipient of this work. Roma participate in the discussions and Europe takes into account their hopes and expectations.
The roundtable in my opinion can solve a lot of problems. At first, all information from national minorities and religions can be delivered directly to Belarusian authority without any kind of distortions. Roundtables already exist in different countries and are quite successful. Representatives from national minorities and religions are in position to share their relevant ideas with authority. At the same time, it helps to reinforce intercultural dialogue between different people within society. My proposition is to create permanent roundtable under the Belarusian society from representatives from national minorities and religions to enhance cooperation and to solve same problems.
People have a right to be heard.

Belarusian Roma Lawyers Group
Minsk

Hello in Holland !

2008-01-29T10:27:00.000Z

Would the 2 students who emailed me from Holland last week get in touch. I would be delighted to help you, but I have lost your email address.

Happy Christmas ~ And A Sad Farewell To A Much Loved & Cherished Friend.

2007-12-24T21:57:00.000Z

This is a very mixed post. Firstly I would like to wish everyone who reads my blog, new friends and old a very happy and peaceful Christmas. This is such a special time, this year we have 2 new little grandaughters Emily & Megan celebrating their very first Christmas, they are both a little bit young yet to understand, but I'm sure by next year they will both be enjoying the magic and excitement. Belle is 4 years old now, and really excited, I bet she will be up very early in the morning to see if Santa has appreciated her " good behaviour" :-). Little Charlotte was visiting us yesterday all better now after her treatment for Leukaemia, busily ripping open her Christamas cards. By next Christmas we will ahve another little grandaughter, my grandson Matthew will be visiting on 27th, he will no doubt be feeling very out numbered by all these girls ;-)

A little while ago I posted about my cousin Franks wife who was terminally ill. Sadly Sissy died in the early hours of Christmas Eve. She was just 36 years old and the mother of 11 children, including 1 year old twins.

Sissy passed peacefully in her sleep, having hugged and kissed all of her very much loved children goodnight. I cannot even begin to tell you how saddened I am to be making this post at all, but more so at this time of year. I am sure that you will all hope and pray her husband and children can some how find some peace and comfort.... but how I really do not know.

Sissy seems to have known that last evening was her last, she told the children she may not be with them for Christmas, as she maybe had a " very important birthday party to attend"..and this was said shortly after she told the younger one why presents were exchanged at Christmas, because it was the birthday of Baby Jesus and the three wise men gave him gifts.

If in some heavenly place there is a party for the baby Jesus, all I can say is it will be a rip roarer with Sissy there ;-).

Sissy passed on the night before full moon, a very important night, and my beliefs are that tonight her spirit will make it's journey to the spirit world. and she will have the "Silver Goddess" to light her path.

The picture above depicts very well a place I visit in dreams. I woke early this morning and half awake and half asleep I felt certain it is a place of peace where Sissy rests. There will be some of you reading this who will wonder what I am speaking of, others will know full well, one of the ones who knows is Frank, so he will know what I'm saying. Estrella also knows and to her I say the water is flashing with darting silver fish, all is well in that world.

Mi Kamel tu Sissy mi doori doori bitti phena..kushti ratti xx

Dream well phena, for we are what we dream

Gypsy Children To Hand Petitions to Gordon Brown

2007-11-18T18:47:00.000Z

On 20th November 3 Gypsy children will presenting their petitions the Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Please click on the link below to hear the children talk about their petitions.

Many thanks to Journalist Robert Leslie and the BBC for kindly consenting to my adding thier article to my blog

I am sure you will all wish to join me in wishing latcho drom and kushti baxt to Blue, Johnny and Libby.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/articles/2007/11/07/romany_petition_feature.shtml

Gipsy Kings & Reines Anglaises

2007-11-04T12:00:00.000Z

Last month I travelled to Manchester and then to London to see Gipsy Kings on a mini UK tour.
Manchester was spoiled only by over zealous security, who dispite being invited backstage to chat with my friends, a bully of a rascist security man thought he would try to intimidate my friend Marguerite and I and bear in mind we are 2 ladies in our 50's well we were not frightened of him, then I had my camera taken off me even though I had been given permission to take photographs, What a wonderful impression of Britain this gave!. But the concert was FABULOUS, and I hurt myself badly dancing with a really lovely Portugese family.

Le mois dernier j'ai voyagé à Manchester et alors à Londres pour voir les rois gitans en mini excursion BRITANNIQUE. Manchester était seulement près une sécurité ardente corrompue d'excédent, que le dispite étant invité à l'arrière plan à causer avec mes amis, un despote d'un homme de sécurité de rascist a pensée qu'il essayerait d'intimider mon marguerite des prés d'ami et I et nous considérer sont 2 dames en nos années 50 bien nous non effrayés de lui, alors j'a eu mon appareil-photo m'a enlevé quoique j'aie été donné la permission de prendre des photographies, quelle impression merveilleuse de la Grande-Bretagne ceci a donnée !. Mais le concert était FABULEUX, et je me suis blessé dansant mal avec une famille vraiment belle de Portugese

Gipsy Kings are wonderful ambassadors for the Gypsy people. They came from humble beginnings, and they have not allowed fame to change them one little bit. They sing of dancing and family and they do so with joy, they sing of the struggle of our people and they do so with such passion, they sing about being Gypsies and they do so with pride. What always impresses me with thier concerts is the diversity of the audience, so many nationalities gathered. They may not realise it but they do so much to promote inter-culturism, which is what is needed in the world today. And when you look around there are the very young and the very old all enjoying the wonderful night of music and friendship.

Gipsy Kings sont les ambassadeurs merveilleux pour les personnes gitanes. Elles sont venues des commencements humbles, et qu'elles le démuni a permis la renommée les changent un peu de bit. Ils chantent de danser et la famille et eux font avec joie, elles chantent de la lutte de nos personnes et elles font ainsi avec tant de passion, elles chantent au sujet d'être des bohémiens et elles font ainsi avec fierté. Ce qui m'impressionne toujours avec des concerts thier est la diversité des assistances, ainsi beaucoup de nationalités recueillies. Elles ne peuvent pas le réalisent mais elles font tellement pour favoriser inter-culturism, qui est ce qui est nécessaire dans le monde aujourd'hui. Et quand vous regardez autour il y a très le jeune et très le vieux tout appréciant la nuit merveilleuse de la musique et de l'amitié.

Gipsy Kings were at The Royal Albert Hall last years as well and when I sit there watching them I often wonder is there an unseen member of the audience? The Royal Albert Hall was built in memory of Prince Albert the much loved husband of Queen Victoria, who had a great love for the Gypsy people, there are sevreal recorded instances of her kindness to them. When she was a young girl in 1836 she visited a gypsy camp near where she was staying for Christmas and persuaded her mother to send food, blankets and fuel: and she recorded in her diary
"their being assisted makes me quite merry and happy today, for yesterday night when I was safe and happy at home in that cold night and today when it snowed so and everything looked white, I felt unhappy and grieved to think that our poor gypsy friends should perish and shiver from want".

Gipsy Kings étaient chez l'Albert royal Hall des dernières années aussi bien et quand je m'assieds là les observant je se demandent souvent est là un membre invisible des assistances ? L'Albert royal Hall a été construit dans la mémoire de prince albert que le beaucoup a aimé le mari de la Reine Victoria, qui a eu un grand amour pour les personnes gitanes, là sont des exemples enregistrés sevreal de sa bonté à elles. Quand elle était une jeune fille en 1836 elle a visité un camp gitan près où elle restait pour Noël et persuadé sa mère pour envoyer la nourriture, les couvertures et le carburant : et elle a enregistré en son journal intime
"leur être des marques aidées j'aujourd'hui tout à fait joyeux et heureux, pour la nuit d'hier quand j'étais sûr et heureux à la maison dans cette nuit froide et aujourd'hui quand il a neigé ainsi et tout a semblé blanc, je s'est sentie que malheureux et affligé pour penser que nos pauvres amis gitans devraient périr et trembler de voulez".

Queen Victoria's life seemed to intermingle with the Gypsy people even before she was born,When Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent, was stationed at Malta, he heard a Gypsy prophesy that a daughter of his would someday be a great queen. Hearing the call of destiny, he rushed his pregnant wife across the English Channel during a winter storm in order that England's next great queen might be born on English soil. Eight months after his daughter's birth, the Duke of Kent was dead. He died from complications of a head cold. Queen Victoria also loved to have her fortune told and is remembered with great affection by the Gypsy people for proclaiming Palm Reading a legal career amongst the Gypsy groups.

La vie de la Reine Victoria a semblé mélanger avec les personnes gitanes égales avant qu'elle soit née, quand le père de Victoria, duc de Kent, a été posté à Malte, il ait entendu un bohémien prédire qu'une fille à lui serait un jour une grande reine. Entendant l'appel du destin, il a précipité son épouse enceinte à travers la Manche pendant un hiver donnent l' assaut à pour que la prochaine grande reine de l'Angleterre pourrait être soutenue sur le sol anglais. Pendant huit mois après la naissance de sa fille, le duc de Kent était mort. Il est mort des complications d'un froid de tête. La Reine Victoria a également aimé faire dire sa fortune et est rappelée avec grande affection par les personnes gitanes pour proclamer la paume lisant une carrière légale parmi les groupes gitans.

Queen Victoria also had a great love for Gypsy music, and often had Gypsy musicians to play for her when visiting Wales she had Edward Wood to play his harp for her, I believe he later became her official harpist. There is a story in my family of an ancestor busking on the street in London as a young boy, he was with several other young Gypsy boys. It is said that Queen Victoria who was passing in a Carriage stopped to hear them play and threw a large numver of coins to them.
This is why I wonder , when Gypsy Kings play at Royal Albert Hall, if she is not there in spirit. I am sure this great Queen would have loved to see these Gypsy boys playing in the Hall built as a tribute to her husband.I am also sure that given the history Nicholas Reyes singing Un Amore would have touched her heart.

La Reine Victoria a également eu un grand amour pour la musique gitane, et a souvent eu les musiciens gitans à jouer pour elle en visitant le Pays de Gales qu'elle a eu le bois d'Edouard pour jouer son harpe pour elle, je croient qu'il plus tard est devenu son harpist officiel. Il y a une histoire dans ma famille d'un ancêtre busking sur la rue à Londres en tant que jeune garçon, il était avec plusieurs autres jeunes garçons gitans. On lui dit que la Reine Victoria qui passait dans un chariot a cessé de les entendre jouer et a jeté un grand numver des pièces de monnaie à elles. C'est pourquoi je me demande, quand les rois gitans jouent chez Albert royal Hall, si elle n'est pas là dans l'esprit. Je suis sûr que cette grande reine aurait a aimé voir ces garçons gitans jouer dans le Hall construit comme hommage à son husband.I AM également sûr que donné l'histoire Nicholas Reyes le chant d'un Amore aurait touché son coeur

A Message from Frankie Boy

2007-10-14T14:18:00.000Z

The Silent Valley at The Mountains of Mourne
The Mountains of Mourne

I am sat here wanting to say thank you all for the emails and posting on Pesha's blog. I can't tell you just how much comfort it has brought us as a family at a very hard and very emotionelle time.
I asked Pesha to say thank you and she suggested I say so myself and she was good enough to give me her details so I can do this.
I am a man of words I love to write poems and tell stories but right now words seem to have left me. I don't know of a word that can say what I feel. I want to tell you about my wife. Some may say this is an obituary and that might be right. Not many get to read they own obituary but Sissy has always been different to the rest and I know when she is gone I won't be able to do this
I have knowen Sissy since we was kids growing up our paths would cross afew times a year at fairs mostly and I used to think she was a little pest I was her brothers friend and she would always be following us. I got to think a bit different though when she started to blossom into a bit of a looker, then the tables turned and I was following her about and she were telling me to get lost. But she never did mean it she was playing hard to get she would be hard pushed to find a better looking moosh than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So we got married and thats why I put those photos up of the mountains of Mourne in Eire thats where we went for our honeymoon and we have been back many times since, it's a special place for Sissy and me and when times have got hard and we have been tested that is where we head off to to catch our breath and remember what we are all about.
If you know my girl you will know she is a little lady as pretty as a picture and as firey as hell itself Sissy have got a short fuse and a big heart. She works hard keeping our home spotless and our children fed and well dressed and she is always full of fun and devilment.
People see us arguing and her giving me what for or ripping me up with that sharp tongue of hers and many have said I deserve a medal. But for all of that I know the loving wife I have and when the children are all in bed and we can sit for a bit together I know just why I married her. Whenever I am troubled, my girl knows and she is there by my side and if anyone should give me trouble then they got her to deal with
We have been through a lot together good times and bad times but all that has done is make us stronger. Couple of years back we lost a little baby girl, she was born too soon and was taken back I thought then this is the worst thing that can ever happen but then I could not know about this.
The little pest that kept hanging round , well I saw her grow in to a beautiful vibrant funny young lady
I saw that beautiful girl become the reason why the birds sang and eventually she became my girl
Then my beautiful girl became my beutifuk wife, and in turn my beautiful wife became the mother of our children and just when I thought I knew every side to her, motherhood brought a hole new wonderful amazing gentleness that left me in awe of her. The plan was that we grow old together we watch our children have children of their own. It was not to be. When I told me father that Sissy was going to be taken from me he said to me Frankie I'm not surprised, that one is so full of spark and energy she could not possibly go the 3 score years and ten she was destined to burn out long before
I have been asked why Sonny put the letters S & C in the picture he drew of his mother That is because I call her my crystal and I call her this because she is clear and bright and has many facets to her and each one is dazzling and full of sparkle and throws lightness and brightness around it.
I just do not know how I will live on without my darling and I dread the day I wake up to a still and empty space, but I know as well that I have been blessed
My girl, the devoted mother has made a memory book for each of our children and each one is personal to each child.
Sissy is home again with us but we are told her time is days and weeks not months she is just 36 years old.
I never went much to school but a did for a while and a school master said to me Frankie you are a clever bloke you should come to school and get quailfied the world is your oyster
That bit baffled me all my life the world was my oyster he said which is kushti enough but I never found out how to open the dam thing.
But see I never needed to because my world is in the home with my wife and my children and to all that will say well the Sissy can be a one, all I can say is as our time in this world draws to a close suddenly that oyster has opened up to me and I see that inside there was a wonderful and beautiful pearl growing within it.
My Girl My Pearl my Crystal and my one true love
You will never be gone from me I will hold you in my heart and each heartbeat with be an embrace for you
My life now will be making sure that the part of you that lives on, our precious children want for nothing, rest assured Sissy they will never want for love

Thank you everyone for your kind words they are priceless
Thanks Shay for letting me have my say on the blog
Ashlen Devlesa
Frankie

Miracle Needed!

2007-10-10T14:09:00.000Z

Last night I got a phone call from 2 of my cousin Frankie boys children, Ruby aged 10 and Sonny aged 7,

Frankie Boy and Sissy frequently make comments on this blog, and have 11 beautiful children aged between 17 years and Twin boys who are a year old today.

About 5 months ago Sissy was diagnosed with a terminal illness, it has advanced quickly, and yesterday she finally had to leave her family home and go into hospital. It is as yet unknown if Sissy will be able to return home to spend her final days with her husband and children.

When it was being explained to the children a while ago that their mother was going to have to leave them, the local Catholic Priest Fr Jim, who is a close family friend told the children, not to give up yet, that there is always hope and they should pray for a miracle, because God always listens to the prayers of little children, even if he cannot always answer them.

Sonny tearfully told me how he and his siblings had prayed really hard, but it had not worked... their mother was getting sicker and now could not stay at home. He asked me to put a request on this blog for others to pray as well, and then maybe the miracle would happen.

It was probably the most difficult conversation I have ever had, trying to explain to a little boy, without being able to cuddle him at the same time, that not everyone who asks for a miracle can have one, and sometimes even though they are much loved, some mummies cannot always stay, but that the love they have for their children surpasses even death.

I promised Sonny that I would make a posting on my blog.....and here it is !

Sonny then asked me with great sincerity, if I could also take a look at EBAY for him, just incase there were any miracles for sale that he and his brothers and sisters could pool their money to buy one. I told him that Miracles could not be bought or sold, but that would look anyway.

His sister Ruby then took the phone, she was talking to me, but at the same time explaining to her little brother, that she felt possibly, their mum had to go to heaven to look after the little baby she lost 2 years ago,

Listening to this brave little girl comforting and mothering her little brother, I came to the conclusion, that I'm not sure I believe at all in miracles

But I ABSOLUTELY believe in Angels !

The above pictures were mailed to me this morning by Sonny and Ruby

Pesha / Shay on Rokker Radio, The BBC Radio Program For Gypsies and Travellors

2007-09-23T16:55:00.000Z

I was pleased to be asked to speak on Rokker Radio about my blog. Rokker Radio is a BBC Radio Program for the Gypsy and Travellor communities.

It's a very interesting program that you can listen to online each prgram is available to listen to online for 7 days. . The program goes out between 7pm and 9pm on a Sunday night, and is then updated online.

The program discusses issues that affect the Gypsy and Travelling Communities both in UK and oversea's, and is not only a good thing for those communities, but surely must go a long way in promoting understanding of our culture to those from other cultures who tune in.

The program is presnred by Jake Bowers, who is one of UK's only Romani Journalists, Jake often contributes to the Guardian and to BBC Radio 4.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/three/aod.shtml?three/rokker_radio

I hope you all enjoy listening to Rokker Radio. You can use the link to listen to future broadcasts

Pleased don't be confused that I am called Shay :-)..this is the name I am commonly known by......Pesha being an "addition"

Kushti Baxt

Pesha x

"Jaisalmer Ayo! Gateway of the Gypsies"

2007-09-10T16:16:00.000Z

This is mistro!!!

Melitta Tchaicovsky is a photographer and documentary filmmaker born in Brazil and based in San Francisco, California interested in developing projects that inspire dialogue and action for positive social change and to document ancient and indigenous cultures.

In 2003, Melitta & partner Pepe Ozan have spent seven months in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan in India, to co-create the 54 minutes documentary "Jaisalmer Ayo! Gateway of the Gypsies" an ethnographic documentary which follows the lives of various nomadic communities in Northern India who are believed to share ancestors with the Roma people. "Jaisalmer Ayo!" premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival in 2004 and has won the award for Best Documentary at the VideoFEST2004 in San Francisco.

I am not surprised at all to tell you that this film has won many awards as listed below.

For those of you involved in Eduaction Melitta and Pepe are keen to now promote "Jaisalmer Ayo" for the educational market contact melitta@artnetwork.com

Melitta tells me;

"Being Jewish and I feel a very strong connection with the Roma people culture and struggle."

Nais tuke Melitta & Pepe , kushti baxt, bright blessings and Shalom!

Please Click the links below and read the reviews !

http://www.artnetwork.com/JaisalmerAyo/trailler.html

http://www.artnetwork.com/JaisalmerAyo/reviews.html

http://www.artnetwork.com/JaisalmerAyo/links.html

List of Festival Screenings & Awards:

2007 â€¢ Documentary Fortnight Expanded 2007 at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.(MoMA)2006 â€¢ All Roads National Geographic Film Festival, Washington D.C, Los Angeles â€¢Latino Film Festival, CA â€¢ Document 4 Documentary Festival, Glascow, Scotland â€¢ VIII Festival International de Cine y Video de los Pueblos Indigenas, Oaxaca, Mexico â€¢ Mediawave International Festival, Gyor, Hungary. â€¢ Tartu WorldFilm, Tartu, Estonia.2005: Zagreb Film Festival, Croatia.â€¢ 10o Mostra Int. do Filme Etnografico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. â€¢ California Independent Film Festivall, CA, USA â€¢ Best Documentary Award San Francisco VideoFest, CA.2004 â€¢ World Premiere Rotterdam International Film Festival, Rotterdam, Netherland.â€¢ Festival Globalisering, Amsterdam, Netherlands â€¢Synchron /Szinkron international Human Rights Documentary Festival Budapest, Hungary.â€¢ Swedish Film Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. â€¢ Il Gigante Festival, Florence, Italy.

Romani (Gypsy) Culture on the Internet.

2007-09-10T15:44:00.000Z

Professor Steve Balkin of Roosevelt University, Chicago USA has compliled, This amazing web page of Romani Culture. There is so much here, I'm sure it will keep you all busy and fascinated for hours. Steve has added me to his "Friends on the Internet" section...thank you for that Steve ..I'm honoured.

If any of you know of any good Romani music or videos please pass the links on to Steve so he can add them to his web page . You can email Steve on sbalkin@roosevelt.edu

here's the link to Steves collection ...enjoy

http://faculty.roosevelt.edu/Balkin/roma.htm

Ashlen Devlesa !

Just To Say...Thank You..I'm Fine

2007-09-06T21:01:00.000Z

Kushti Divves to you all

Thank you all so much for your emails Texts and good wishes...Doesn't news travel fast ?

Yes ..I did have a Heart attack ..but I'm fine now...I'm back home with my family.. please don't offer me any sympathy ..it's the result of an unhealthy lifestyle ..and therefore I am ashamed to say self inflicted.

I would like to introduce you all to a very special little somebody in my life 6 week old Alfie..a gorgeous little Border Collie Puppy..

Last Year my much loved Border Collie Lucy died, and I have missed her very much...she was a very old lady but it was still very hard to say good-bye

Alfie came into my life very suddenly a gift from someone I love very much.....a lovely man who often infuriates me..but always makes me laugh..even when I am not very nice at all ..being bad tempered and snappy..because I wasn't feeling too good..but who held my hand in the A&E ( Emergency Room) and when a nurse said you will have to take your bra off for this test..as it's under-wired...replied it needs scaffolding not under-wiring!

So when you read this darling ...sorry I was mean..and sorry when I wouldn't listen and go to Hospital ......I love you ...so very much xxxxxxxx

Life of a Romanychall' . my Romany stories'

2007-08-28T17:54:00.000Z

The link below will take you on a wonderful Journey with Gypsy Leeboy Winter,

Gypsy Leeboy shares his stories from himself and his family with you, and also his songs and music. There are alot of Romany words used in his stories . I have no doubt you will all really enjoy this website

Nais tuke Leeboy for sharing this with us

kushti baxt phal

http://gypsyleeboy.tripod.com/id3.html

Roma Democratic Development Association

2007-08-28T14:47:00.000Z

Nadir Redzepi, Executive Director of the Roma Democratic Association, has sent me the link below. It takes you to their website, which has published "How Long Is The Journey...", an article by Zsuzsanna Ardó, writer and photographer (http://www.ardo.org/). "How Long is the Journey..." is about the Roma Holocaust but also about everyday racism and its consequences. The article was broadcast on BBC in August, in the spririt of 2007, which is the EU Year of Anti-discrimination. Zsuzsanna's photo exhibition, Roma Decade, opens in London 7th September - invite for the launch is here: http://www.zsu.f2s.com/Files/HCC_Photo_Exhibition_Invite.png

http://www.sonce.org.mk/howlong.html

I am honoured to tell you that Mr Redzepi will soon be making contributions to this blog, I am sure if you all take time to look at the Roma Democratic Association web site you will be impressed with the marvellous work that they do. I am also sure that when Mr Redzepi makes his posts you will find them interesting and informative.

kushti baxt !

Acts of Kindness & Love

2007-08-22T20:02:00.000Z

I want to post the following to you. I get many emails from people who read this blog and it's always lovely to hear from everyone.
This past few days I have been feeling very sorry for myself, I have not been in good health and I have allowed myself to become quite miserable, between not feeling so good and family problems...well you all know how it can be.
The Roma people have so many problems as a race, and it can become very hard on the emotions sometimes when you hear of the hardships, poverty and misery many of our people live in.
A few days ago I posted the work of Anna Kari and the article by Nicolas Kalinin. both do such a good job.
Today I have recieved 2 emails one I told you all that I was expecting an article from Erik Shapiro, well that came today, and also an email from Ilanna Mandel, both of these people are total strangers to me, but both have shown such compassion for our people. I find myself very emotional and humbled by this most human quality that can make so much
difference...kindness..

When I was feeling down a few days ago, a friend Sergio posted saying there were still good things in the world..and yes Thank you Sergio..you were absolutely right!

I will post the emails for you all to read, and hopefully some of you can be of some help to either Ilanna or Erik
I would like to thank Ilanna And Erik for their kindness and for taking the trouble to contact me and allowing me to put their details on this blog
Nais tuke! thank you both & Shalom!

Pesha

Hello from Los Angeles
Hello Pesha;

Thank you for your wonderful blog. I am a writer and artist who lives in Los Angeles (although I am Canadian). I am always astounded by the fact that people in N. America know little to nothing about the Roma, their heritage, their history, or their contributions to our world by way of literature, art, music, dance and other areas of life.

I have been involved with the issue of the lead poisoned camps in Kosovo. It is a sad and disturbing story of how the Roma are so often neglected and used as scapegoats in Europe.

I am interested in meeting other artists who would like to form a network together to raise greater awareness of who the Roma are. I am not Roma myself, but rather Russian-Jewish.

hope others will contact me. I have this idea to create a huge online art auction - paintings, sculptures, photography to raise funds for the Roma in Kosovo - if it can help.

Kindly

Ilanna Mandel
ilanna@sbcglobal.net

Ilanna Mandel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STOLPERSTEINE
From Erik Shapiro

Stolpersteine – or “stumbling stones” – are metal plaques embedded in the pavement in front of where Nazi victims used to live. The idea began with an artist named Gunter Demnig, who placed fifty of these stones in Berlin in 1996. Since then, the number of stolpersteine has expanded significantly.

I was recently in Berlin and became quite moved by these stones and their implicit message. The stumbling is not physical; people don’t trip on the stones. But in my view, you inadvertently stumble across them on your way to somewhere, and they give reason to pause, honor, remember, and commit to be diligent about what genocidal atrocities might be happening now [like in the Darfur region of Sudan].

Most of what I knew before sitting down to write this notice about stumbling stones came from an article in ExBerliner Magazine which implies that they are only in Berlin and only for Jewish victims.

My impulse was to broaden the discourse by sponsoring stones for non-Jewish victims. For me, it is a matter of solidarity, and also to not feel so isolated. On a tangential note, the monument to the deportation in Paris is inclusive of all victims of the Nazis, and so to me a much more profound experience than those memorials devoted to only one group. Inside are inscribed quotes, such as this one:

“But the day that people will have understood who you were, they will bite the earth with sadness and remorse, they will water it with their tears, and they will build temples to you.” Vercors

I e-mailed the organization which coordinates placing the stones [stolpersteine@gdw-berlin.de], and they replied that they would place stones for any victim of the Nazis, but needed the information to do so. They can send me a document with information on people from Berlin who were deported and murdered for being gay, but said they had no available documentation for Roma victims of the Nazis.

Then, poking around on the Internet in preparation for writing this notice . . .

[for example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franzlife/36326850/in/set-72157594489669795/ Wikepedia also has considerable information on stolpersteine.]

. . . I learned that the discourse is already broad, and that there are some stolpersteine placed for non-Jewish victims [Roma, gay people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and political dissidents] and also many stolpersteine placed outside Berlin, and now even outside of Germany [in Austria, Netherlands, and Italy].

But that’s not a reason for me to stop. It is just all the more reason to keep going. If anyone can send me the necessary information for a Roma victim of the Nazis in Berlin [at least name and former address, also birthdate, date of deportation, place where murdered if available], I would like to start on my part by sponsoring a stolpersteine in Berlin for one Roma victim. Please write to me at marketplacer@msn.com. I will only be able to afford one stone for now, so that will be the first eligible one I receive. I urge interested readers also to write the coordination center at the e-mail address above to see about sponsoring stolpersteine yourself. The cost is about 95 Euros each.

Pesha mentioned to me that permanent addresses for Roma people might be difficult to document, because of the years of persecution that kept them moving, and asked if stolpersteine could be placed at traditional Roma stopping places [achen tan].

I said I did not know. But in my Internet poking around [the Wikepedia entry] I learned that stolpersteine were placed at a homeless shelter to honor and remember gay victims who were taken away and murdered, so there is precedent for stolpersteine at other than the permanent addresses of individuals.

According to the Wikepedia entry, Gunter Demnig had placed over 9,000 stolpersteine as of October 2006. It might be that he has documentation of where the stones were placed, and for who. His homepage is http://www.stolpersteine.com/. I don’t read or write German, but someone reading this who does might write to him, ask him about any present stolpersteine for Roma victims, and also please cheer him on for inventing and tirelessly following up on this worthwhile idea.

Thanks,

Erik Shapiro

Na Bister!~ Never Forget!~N'oubliez jamais!

2007-08-22T19:54:00.000Z

Overnight on 1st-2nd August 1944 at Auschwitz-Birkenau the entire Roma Gypsy camp was destroyed four thousand Roma men women and children were gassed and cremated, this unimaginable atrocity is now called Zigeunernacht meaning night of the Gypsies.

It is now over 60 years, and I have frequently be come embroiled in heated argument as to how this period in history should be remembered. I know my stance is seen by many as extreme and intransient, but I make no apology for this. To place this horror as an "Historic event" that we should learn by is to my mind is the true danger. After all it could never happen today ! ..could it?

Those in Society who feel that we should never "forget", but that would should "forgive" in my eyes pose a far greater danger than the shaven headed right wing thugs, or the White clad cross burning fanatics.

I do not aim my lack of forgiveness at the German people, it is aimed at all people, at mankind as a whole. The Holocaust was not an example of the German people of the day against the Roma or the Jews or the Gays or the handicapped. It was an example of mans inhumanity to his fellow man. A need to dominate a need for supremacy, and sadly a trait that lies deep within the "blueprint", and a trait that may never be evolved away.

Forgiveness is the sure and certain path to acceptance..oh we may not accept as such..but we accept it happened "historically"..and we don't learn/understand the Genocide of the 2nd World was was only one of many both before ;
The Armenian Holocaust, Stalins policies in Ukrain,the Spanish policy of forced labour of the native peoples throughout the Carribean,South and Central America, US Clearing operations against the Indigenous peoples of North America
Hitler took many lessons from "history" from which to perfect his own Holocaust.
..and since;
Katanga, Biafra, Bangaladesh IndoChina,Paraguay, Guetemala, Indonesia, Rwanda , Bosnia..ect..ect..What was that about it could never happen today?..could it?
It has happened..it does happen ..it will happen.

How can Genocide ever be forgiven, what was taken from us we will never know. This Genocide had a devastating effect on the Roma, so many were taken from a comparably small race . How any mother can look at the picture below of children and say it is time to forgive is beyond my comprehension. Who comforted these little ones while they suffered, I can only think the older ones took on the role and comforted the younger ones, but the older ones are just children themselves. how can some mothers darling, some fathers pride and joy be brutalised in this way, and a right thinking society even feeling it a remote possibilty to even consider forgiveness?

The Roma kept very few written records the Generations gone before were remembered and kept alive in memory by word of mouth. Those murdered in the death camps were not only killed but they were obliterated from living memory ..for all time.

Mothers, fathers, Aunts Uncles Grandparents brothers and sisters, literally gone up in smoke with not a soul to mourn their passing or light a candle for them, or speak their name in rememberance.

There is an old Roma saying (curse)

" Te bisterdon tumare anava "~ "may your names be forgotton"

How those words seem to mock these days.

When we think of those poor people we must wonder who might they have been those little children, and the children that were never born. Maybe another Django Reinhardt? another Mother Teresa ? think of all the wonderful music the Roma have brought the world,

The Roma proudly say "We sing no War songs" yet when war rages all around we are all too often the innocent casulaties

Below is a picture of an unknow Roma woman at Auschwitz ..it is a picture of what "might of been"

On the Tombstone of some people I care about very much the inscription reads

"Loves last gift...Rememberance..."

Na Bister! ..Never Forget !

News From Belarus

2007-08-20T14:37:00.001Z

This morning I recieved an email from Nicolas Kalinin, I have posted information from Nicolas before. Nicolas is a National Minority expert,he is also a member of The Roma Lawyer Group, A Delegate in The European Roma Travellers Forum and A Delegate in The Forum Of European Roma Young People.

Nicolas kindly sent me this article he has written and has also kindly said I may publish it, so I am doing so.

Nais Tuke Nicolas phral for sharing your thoughts with us

Dza Devlesa

Modern Belarusian delusions

Belarus is country with blue lakes, small rivers, pine forests and very peaceful people. You can read a lot of information about Belarus in internet. Now local authors prepared o lot of colored books about Belarus in English and foreigners might have a lot of options to have.. But Belarus is country with modern delusions.

Majority of Belarusian’s are adherents of Russian Orthodocs church. Nowadays it’s popular to visit a church. It’s became part of culture. Can we say that Belarusian’s become more moral and spiritual? No, it’s just show visits. The Russian Orthodocs church became a part of society life. In cabinets of powerful bosses you can see Lukashenka’s portraits and icons. A “not – traditional” faith’s competing with Russian Orthodocs church. “Not – traditional” faith’s gives to believers opportunity to think about Jesus, to deliberate, to discuss. I meet with some preachers from Russian Orthodocs churches and I recognize, there was God in his speech. At the same time some “not – traditional” very week, very mercantile. It seems to me that everyone has his own God in his heart. Expansion of Russian Orthodocs church is a step forward in future moral revolution in Belarus. But it’s a big problem when we observe icons everywhere. People buy icons, crucifixes, visiting churches but in their hearts nothing changes. People confuse morals with different Christians attribute. Ok, try to imagine. Tomorrow in all cabinets on all walls someone will hang icons. How it can help to decrease crime, poverty, false, envy? I do not think so.

Now it’s popular to bear some opposition symbols. Our readers can say, its good, its can expand ideas of democracy. It’s great delusion. In the Soviet period it was popular to collect baggies with US symbols. Majority of people who bear this symbol haven’t any idea what this symbol means. It was just simply attributing of modern culture like ear ring or jeans. People didn’t thinks about contents of this symbol. Now in Belarus I observe the same situation. A lot of young people wear symbols in favor of democracy just to be modern. Everything what is forbidden is popular but at the same time we can observe depression of ideas of Belarusian revolution. Idea of Belarusian revolution lost its value. Unfortunately, it’s a fact. Due to different reasons, but it’s existing. Young people with badges in Belarusian language don’t belong to revolutionary movement. In this case it only part of culture. We can compare existing situation with period, when in the Soviet period people who bear long hair and beard was democrats. Yes it was in our history but until now it’s extremely difficult to understand how long hair influence preferences in political choice. I think no how.

Some time ago, when I arrived to Minsk for a study in law, a lot of people spoken in Belarusian language in transport. Now nobody speaks Belarusian. Now, if you are speak in the Belarusian language, people think that you are against regime. Its looks likewise like long hair interfering for a political choice. People confusing options with politics. Why? It’s due to deceptive policy of some political parties and NGO’s. In every interview, everywhere, opposition political leaders repeating, that they working in revival of Belarus. Population began to identify Belarusian culture, Belarusian language, all Belarusian with something opposed to regime. If you are talking that you are against regime and in the same time you are working in favor of Belarusian culture – in consciousness of majority people this two, absolutely different point, became totally identical. It’s not invention but its big problem. Now, young generation identifying Belarusian language, as an opposition political attributes. Very funny but international organizations community believes in it too. Some political leaders in Belarus altered idea of political strategy for a foal, indirect ways. They curing not there course of malady but only some indirect consequence. It’s too peaty, that a lot of programs for Belarus elaborated by people, who never was in Belarus, who have no idea where it is. A lot of programs for Belarus based on groundless delusion. Ok, lets imagine, tomorrow everyone will speak in Belarusian. How it will influence the political life and situation. Yes, no how.

Aspiration rooted in our heart, not in attribute of.

Kalinin Nicolas
National minority expert

Anna Kari

2007-08-19T19:19:00.000Z

As promised here is the link for the website of Anna Kari.

http://www.annakari.com/

I'm sure that you will all find her work very poignant. Those of you who know me, will know of my dedication to bringing the truth about the suffering and devastation to life and culture that we Roma suffered at the hands of the Nazi's in the 2nd world war.

Anna's pictures of the Holocaust survivors are an inspiration to us all, and an example of the courage and strength of those who endured such unthinkable horrors.

Anna has also brought to peoples attention, the plight of the Roma of Kosovo, this a something very dear to my heart, and it was without doubt "another holocaust"

who could believe this could have happened again, who could believe the worlds media could transport these horrific images, and yet it continued, my eyes still fill with tears whenever I think about this,

Thank you Anna for doing the wonderful job you do, you are a very talented young lady, and thank you also for allowing me to post your work on this blog, on a lighter note I loved your work on the " Miss Roma", what beauttiful girls !

I will write a little on the subject of the Holocaust shortly I had intended to do so before the beginning of August, so that you could all remember those we lost on 'Zigeuner nacht", but I had personal troubles at the time and in any case I don't suppose a "date" should really matter that much, so I will post soon on that

I would also like to include this heart wrenching appeal sent out by the Roma mothers of Kosovo in 1999

Roma mothers appeal to world
Kumanovo 08.11.1999
To all democratic civilized human nations and to all government of the western countries and to all European Community.
In the name of the humanity and human solidarity, we, the Roma mothers, want to address to you this Appeal
We, Roma mothers from Kosovo, address this appeal to all the mothers all over the world. At the moment we are in the hardest times in our history since our arrival in Kosovo many centuries ago.
This tragedy swept away all our possessions gained by our hard work. Our European standard of living, our houses with modern equipment all is gone for good, swept by the robbers, fire-raisers and Albanian terrorists. The will in our faces and in the faces of our children turn to tears,while instead of warmth in our hearts now is ache, sorrow for lost place and freedom, sorrow for lost job and dignity. In just one split of a second our serene family life turned to fear and uncertainty. Our living became nomad, as we never had one like this.
We live in the camp, in tents where conditions are so bad. We have rains, floods in the tents, wet blankets and sponges on the beds where we lay with our children. With such bad conditions came diseases such as: anemies, Flu, dehydration, Bronchitis, Asthma and in the worst cases Hepatitis. Because of the fact that medical staff in the camp Stenkovac 2 is composed only of Albanians we simply can't expect proper care for us.
Also we can't expect proper special medical care in Tetovo as the most of the doctors are also Albanians and we are suffering because of them. All this results with bad conditions among us, mothers and among our children, so few days ago one of the mothers died.
In such bad conditions in the tents live 13 newborn babies, from one-day age up to two months, also 76 incline women and 196 mother still breast freezing their babies. Because of bad nourishing, low caloric food (only peppers and salt cheese) we have lot of sick women, insights, breast-feeding.
This tragedy in form of genocide and these poor conditions for living may cause the death of many children and us, the mothers. So we address this APPEAL to all the women all over the world to give their sympathy to us the mothers in camp Stenkovac 2 and to our children. We appeal to all humanitarian organisations and to all women to demonstrate and to protest, to make pressure to their governments to take us to their countries so we can feel again what we have lost, our peace, jobs, freedom, the future of our children, our peaceful and serene family life-with this, the women allover the world will express their humanity which is incorporated in their souls.
Mothers all over the world, as we are writing this appeal to you, our hands are frozen, the only light is the light of the candle which flame is swinging by the wind in our tent.
Instead the heat from the stove, our children's hearts is warmth only by our motherly love and our hopes for our better future. Mothers all over the world, please help us, help our children in this worst times in our living.
Roma Mothers from Kosovo who are in Stenkovac 2 Refugee camp in Macedonia
Ashmet Elezovski, member of board the Roma National Congress

Kushti baxt

Pesha x

OPRE ROMA !

PS,

This site is also very good

http://www.kosovo.net/gypsies.html

I'm back!

2007-08-15T20:17:00.000Z

(My apologies that this entry is in English only)

It's been such a long time sine I last posted, and to those of you who have been emailing me asking about new posts ..THANK YOU xx

Life has been hectic, Poor Tom ( my son) has been in hospital again, for a long time, regular readers will know he is Autistic, and if thats not enough for him to cope with he has been diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia, he's had a very tough time, but I'm pleased to say he's now doing very well on his new medication.

I "officially" celebrated my 50th Birthday on June 29th, I had the most wonderful birthday party :-). at the Tower of London watching my beloved Gitan brothers the "Gipsy Kings", as always they were fabulous. I'm afraid I had way too much to drink, and couldn't resist grabbing this Beefeater LOL, ignore the fat girl and look at the beautiful Gypsy boys playing in the background.

I took some really great pictures and you can see them if you click here http://www.gipsykings.net/tour07/lon.html

Devotees will notice that Canut was missing, which was a shame as I was looking forward to seeing him, but it was still a brilliant evening, shared with some really great people, it was particularly good to see my friend Margherite, it's ages since we last got together, Ohhhh but that girl snores!!!! :-(

And great to meet Karen Steve and little Benji, and Steves brother David. To any of those poor unfortunates sitting anywhere near me I apologise for the whooping and catawalling LOL

( If we could see ourselves when we are drunk..we may think twice!)

On a more serious note,

I will trying to catch up on matters that I think are of interest or concern, so forgive me if those on my mailing list get a bit of an avalanche !. A few things have come to my notice or been brought to my attention, and I will be including those as soon as I can.

One particular thing that I learned of only yesterday, and it was this that "kick started" me into posting again is information I received about "stolpersteine" or "Stumbling Stones" I was told about this by a gentleman called Erik Shapiro, these stones mark places (addresses) from where innocent people , Jewish, Gay ,Roma were taken from thier homes to be murdered by the Nazi's.

Erik would like to write an entry on this blog himself to explain fully, and I'm sure all of you will be very interested supportive of this wonderful project.

I have much to tell you, and much to show you by way of pictures. I am delighted that
Anna Kari, a Photojournalist has kindly agreed to allow her images to be posted on this blog, I will be including this before the weekend, I'm sure you will all love her work, Especially "Mel":-) For now I wish you all "kushti baxt" and hope your lives have been peaceful happy
Just a little "Gypsies warning" for Finbar (Rough Diamond) your mother should have slapped your legs more often , stop putting cheeky messages on my blog ! My husband Mike reads this blog..so watch it Gypsy boy LOL
Bright blessings and much love to you all

Pesha

News from Belarus ~ Nouvelles de la Biélarus

2007-03-11T16:52:00.000Z

News From Belarus

Many of you will remember the appeal from Nicolas Kalinin that I sent out to you some months ago. It was very disturbing to hear how our Roma brothers and sister are persecuted in that part of the world. I am delighted to be able to post and email that I recieved from Nicholas recently, I am sure you will all agree that it is good to hear some positive news fron Belarus.

Whilst I do not share Christian beliefs myself, I am very aware and appreciate that the vast majority of Roma worldwide are either Christain or Muslim, and I respect the right of individuals to worship as they chose, faith after all is a personal matter.

As I write this message to you all I recall my late father ( God rest his soul )..a devout Catholic..telling me how important he felt it was that we humans have some faith in both a greater being, and the eternal life of the soul..he respected my beliefs even if he could not share them.

To me, religion is " food for the Soul"..and we should be free to chose according to our palate..a little like chosing a fine meal from a menu..we "need" the nourishment that the meal can give..but it should also be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience..that leaves us satisfied as well as nourished.

I am delighted to post the news from Belarus , and send my heartfelt and sincere thanks to all those people who have contributed to this project that so clearly benefits our Roma family in Belarus

From my own faith, my own choice I send you all Bright Blessings

Nicholas ..thank you for this news and the picture..and thank you for all the good work you and your colleagues do

May the dreams of our people come true where ever they are..and whatever their plight

" You are what you dream ..... Dream well Roma "

The email

Hello Pesha!Last news:In the middle of February Belarusian Baptist Reformat church in cooperation with Belarusian Roma Lawyers Group began to provide Roma population in Belarus with Gospels in Romany language. With the management and support from leader of Belarusian Baptist Reformat church Mr. Georgii Vjazovskii and interpretation from Nicolas Kalinin was elaborated bulletin in Belarusian Roma dialect which was distributed between Roma communities free of charge. During trip to Gomel were organized meetings with Roma community, visits Roma families. Together with Baptist preacher from USA a lot of Roma people received opportunity to read Gospel world in native language. Due to this work Roma in Belarus began to familiarize with respect of human right concerning Roma linguistic rights.Our plans are continue to work with Roma minority, to enhance Roma activity in Baptist Reformat movement. If Jesus bless, next step will be to translate epistle to Romanes in to Roma language and to distribute it between Roma believers. On picture Georgii Vizovskii, Kalinin Nicolas, Roma people from Gomel region

Nicolas Kalinin
Roma Lawyer Group
Delegate in European Roma Travellers Forum
Delegate in Forum Of European Roma Young People

Nouvelles de la Biélarus

Beaucoup d'entre vous se souviendront de l'appel de Nicolas Kalinin que je vous ai envoyé il y a quelques mois. Il était très inquiétant d'entendre comment nos frères Roma et soeur sont persécutés dans cette partie du monde. Je suis ravi d'être capable de poster et l'envoyer e-mail je recieved de Nicholas récemment, je suis sûr que vous tous conviendrez qu'il est bon d'entendre quelques nouvelles positives fron la Biélarus.

Tandis que je ne partage pas de convictions chrétiennes moi-même, je suis très conscient et apprécie que la majorité vaste de Roma dans le monde entier est chrétien ou Musulman et je respecte le droit d'individus d'adorer comme ils ont choisi, la foi est enfin une question personnelle.

Comme j'écris ce message à vous tout je me souviens de mon dernier père (le reste de Dieu son âme) .. .. Catholique dévot en me disant comment important il a estimé qu'il était que nous les humains ont un peu de foi tant en plus grand être, qu'en vie éternelle de l'âme .. il a respecté mes convictions même s'il ne pouvait pas les partager

À moi, la religion est "les aliments pour l'Âme" .. et nous devrions être libres à a choisi selon notre palais .. un peu comme chosing un repas parfait d'un menu .. nous "avons besoin" de la nourriture que le repas peut donner .. mais cela devrait aussi être une expérience agréable et réalisante .. qui nous laisse satisfait aussi bien que nourri.

Je suis ravi de poster les nouvelles de la Biélarus et envoyer mon sincère et sincère grâce à tous ces gens qui ont contribué à ce projet qu'ainsi clairement les avantages notre famille Roma en Biélarus

De ma propre foi, mon propre choix j'envoie vous tout des Bénédictions Brillantes

Nicholas .. le merci pour ces nouvelles et la peinture .. et merci pour tout le bon travail vous et vos collègues faites

Le mai les rêves de nos gens se matérialisent où jamais ils sont .. et quels que soit leur état critique

"Vous êtes que vous rêvez..... Le rêve bien Roma"

Le courrier électronique

Bonjour Pesha!Dernières nouvelles :Dans le milieu de février l'église de Reformat de Baptiste de Belarusian en coopération avec Belarusian Roma le Groupe d'Avocats a commencé à fournir la population Roma en Biélarus avec les Évangiles dans la langue Romani. Avec l'administration et le soutien du chef d'église de Reformat de Baptiste Belarusian M. Georgii Vjazovskii et interprétation de Nicolas Kalinin étaient le communiqué élaboré dans Belarusian Roma le dialecte qui a été distribué entre les communautés Roma gratuitement.
Pendant le voyage à Gomel étaient des réunions organisées avec la communauté Roma, les familles Roma de visites. Ensemble avec le pasteur de Baptiste des Etats-Unis beaucoup de gens Roma ont reçu l'opportunité de lire le monde d'Évangile dans la langue natale. En raison de ce travail Roma en Biélarus a commencé à familiariser avec le respect de droit humain concernant les droits linguistiques Roma.Nos plans sont continuent à travailler avec la minorité Roma, améliorer l'activité Roma dans le mouvement de Reformat de Baptiste. Si Jésus bénit, le pas suivant devra traduire l'épître à Romanes dans à la langue Roma et le distribuer entre les croyants Roma.

Sur la peinture Georgii Vizovskii, Kalinin Nicolas, les gens de Roma de la région de Gomel

Nicolas Kalinin

Avocat de Roma Groupe

Délégué au Forum de Voyageurs d'européen Roma

Le délégué au Forum de Jeunes gens d'européen Roma

Thank you ~ Merci

2007-03-09T21:27:00.000Z

Thank you all so much for your messages and emails and prayers
I am sure they helped my son to get back to health
As you can see he now back at home with the family

We do not know for sure what caused Tom to become so ill, but the Dr's believe that while he was at an 18th birthday party ..so evil person put illegal drugs into his drink. This caused Tom to have seizures which the Dr's could not control and Tom became very ill

My Son is Autistic he has Aspergers Syndrome, so his behaviour is a little strange and he finds difficulty understanding the world we live in, he believes any thing he is told so he is very vulnerable. But he is also very clever and talented at the things he likes to do. Tom is a gifted Poet .. actor and mimick, and those who take the time and patience to get to know him love him dearly

I hope that the people who did this to my son are proud of themselves, being a firm believer in laws of Karma..I know that they will pay for this in time

Once more thank you all so very much..Tom sends his thanks too

Bright blessings to you all

Pesha x

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Le merci tous tellement pour vos messages et courriers électroniques et prièresJe suis sûr qu'ils ont aidé mon fils à rentrer à la santéComme vous pouvez voir il maintenant en arrière à la maison avec la famille

Nous ne savons pas à coup sûr ce qui a fait Tom devenir si malade, mais Dr croient que pendant qu'il était à une 18ème soirée d'anniversaire .. donc la méchante personne met des médicaments illégaux dans sa boisson. Cela a fait Tom avoir des saisies que Dr ne pouvait pas contrôler et Tom est tombé malade

Mon Fils est Autistique il a le Syndrome Aspergers, donc son comportement est un peu étrange et il trouve la difficulté en comprenant le monde dans lequel nous vivons, il croit n'importe quelle chose que l'on lui dit donc il est très vulnérable. Mais il est aussi très intelligent et doué aux choses qu'il aime faire. Tom est un Poète doué .. l'acteur et mimick et ceux qui prennent le temps et la patience de faire connaissance avec lui l'aiment de toute son âme

J'espère que les gens qui l'ont fait à mon fils sont fiers d'eux, étant un croyant ferme dans les lois de Karma.. Je sais qu'ils paieront pour cela à temps

Dites encore une fois merci tous si très beaucoup.. Tom envoie son merci aussi

Bénédictions brillantes à vous tous

Pesha x

Prayers Needed -Prières Nécessaires

2007-02-25T13:50:00.000Z

Posted on behalf of Pesha,

Prayers are needed for Pesha's 17 year old Autistic son Tom...who is seriously ill in Hospital

Thank you in anticipation of your help

Les Prières Nécessaires pour le fils Autistique de 17 ans Thomas de Pesha, qui est sérieusement malade à l'Hôpital

Le merci dans anticiptaion de votre aide

The Legend of The Nails for The Cross of Jesus -La légende des ongles pour la croix de Jésus

2007-02-21T14:01:00.000Z

am adding this story for Kristine..but I hope everyone will enjoy reading it.. I know many will know the story very well..but I also know you never tire of hearing it so Phrals , Phena's & bitti Chavvies..sit down and enjoy :-)

There are several versions of this Story..but this is the one I like best :-)

One day long ago a Roman soldier visited a Gypsy Smith to order 12 large nails. The Gypsy began work on the nails but he had no idear that they were to be used to nail Jesus and the two thieves to the Crosses.

The night before the crucifixion, a little Gypsy girl slept in a camp nearby, she had the gift of sight, in a vision she saw that the Gypsy Smith had been tricked, and the reason for which the nails were intended.

The little girl crept from her bed, and used her gift to find the place where the nails lay waiting , she was very small and the nails were on a high shelf , the little girl strained to reach the nails. Just as she they were almost in reach she heard a Roman guard approach the room, she managed to grab just three of the nails the others clattered to the floor, she had been seen ..but she managed to escape with the three nails.

This why Jesus and the two theives were crucified with just three nails each...a nail for each hand..and a single nail to secure the feet.

The Gypsies had to flee because the Roman soldiers were very angry aboyt the little girl stealing the nails..God the father saw it all..and smiled down upon the Gypsy people..and as the little girl had used her gift..and stolen..in an attempt to save his beloved son..God bestowed upon the Gypsy people for all time the right to steal...but if this right were accepted then the gift of Sight would could never be used to see for each other....this is using the gift to see for each other is a taboo for the Gypsy people.

After the crucifixion a lynch mob was formed to hunt down the Gypsies..but the Gypsies escaped The story goes that ever since ..the "gadje" ( non Gypsy people) have been hunting for the Gypsies..and this is another reason why the Gypsies are wanderers According to the story..it is only when the nails are found that the persecution of the Gypsies will end.

Please scroll to the end ..to read a poem by the Sinti (German Gypsy) Poet SpatzoThis Poem is posted in English , French and its original form

J'ajoute cette histoire pour Kristine.mais j'espère que chacun aura plaisir à le lire. Je sais que beaucoup sauront l'histoire très bien.mais je ne vous connais jamais également pneu de l'audition il ainsi Phrals, Phena et bitti Chavvies.asseyez-vous et appréciez :-)

Il y a plusieurs versions de cette histoire.mais c'est celui que j'aime mieux :-)

Pendant un jour il y a bien longtemps un soldat romain a rendu visite à un Smith gitan pour commander 12 grands ongles. Le bohémien a commencé le travail sur les ongles mais il n'a eu aucun idear qu'elles devaient être employées pour clouer Jésus et les deux voleurs aux croix

La nuit avant la crucifixion, une petite fille gitane a dormi dans un camp tout près, elle a eu le cadeau de la vue, dans une vision elle a vu que le Smith gitan avait été dupé, et la raison pour laquelle les ongles ont été prévus.

La petite fille a rampé de son lit, et utilisé son cadeau pour trouver l'endroit où les ongles étendent l'attente, elle était très petite et les ongles étaient sur une haute étagère, la petite fille tendue pour atteindre les ongles. Juste comme elle ils étaient presque dedans extension elle a entendu une garde romaine approcher la salle, elle est parvenue à saisir juste trois des ongles que les autres ont claqués au plancher, elle avait été vue.mais elle est parvenue à s'échapper avec les trois ongles.

Ceci pourquoi Jésus et les deux voleurs ont été crucifiés avec juste trois ongles chacun…un ongle pour chaque main.et un ongle simple pour fixer les pieds

Les bohémiens ont dû se sauver parce que les soldats romains étaient aboyt très fâché la petite fille volant les ongles.Dieu le père l'a vu tout.et souri vers le bas sur les personnes gitanes.et comme la petite fille avait employé son cadeau.et volé.afin d'essayer de sauver son fils aimé.Dieu accordé sur les personnes gitanes pour tout chronomètrent la droite de voler…mais si cette droite étaient acceptées alors le cadeau de la vue pourrait ne jamais être employé pour voir l'un pour l'autre….ceci emploie le cadeau pour voir l'un pour l'autre est un tabou pour les personnes gitanes.

Après que la crucifixion une foule de lyncher ait été formée pour chasser en bas des bohémiens.mais les bohémiens ont échappé

à l'histoire va cela depuis.le "gadje " (les personnes non gitanes) ont été chasse pour les bohémiens.et c'est une autre raison pour laquelle les bohémiens sont des vagabonds
selon l'histoire.il est seulement quand on trouve les ongles que le persection des bohémiens finira.

Svp rouleau à l'extrémité.pour lire une poésie par le poèt Spatzo de Sinti (bohémien allemand) cette poésie est signalée en anglais, Français et original

Spatzo (Vittorio Mayer Pasquale)

In the language of the Estrekarja Sinti, spatzo means "baby bird" or "sparrow", a nickname that recalls the sense of liberty often celebrated by this poet who along his life has experienced very bitter periods of suffering. Through his poetry, in opposition to the adversity of his fate, Spatzo shows us that he knew how to keep intact the Romani love of things simple and immediate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dans la langue de l'Estrekarja Sinti, le spatzo signifie le « oiseau de bébé » ou le « moineau », un surnom qui rappelle le sens de la liberté a souvent célébré par ce poèt qui le long de sa vie a éprouvé des périodes très amères de la souffrance. Par sa poésie, en opposition à l'adversité de son destin, Spatzo nous prouve qu'il a su maintenir intact l'amour de Romani des choses simple et immédiat.

The Four Nails

( a slightly different version of the Stroy in this poem )

The legend says:

Four nails were forged

to make the Redeemer die.

They were seen by a daughter of the wind

who passed across the hill in her travels

through the streets of the world.

Just one she took away,

so the soldier didn't notice.

And thus He was crucifiedwith three nails only.

The fourth nail joined the suffering of the Sinti to the Redeemer.
The legend says.

Les quatre ongles

(une version légèrement différente de l'histoire.dit en cette poésie)

La légende indique :Quatre ongles ont été forgés pour inciter le rédempteur à mourir.
Ils ont été vus par une fille du vent qui a passé à travers la colline dans elle des voyages par les rues du monde.

Juste un qu'elle a emporté,ainsi le soldat n'a pas noté.
Et il a été crucifié ainsi avec trois ongles seulement.
Le quatrième ongle a joint la douleur du Sinti au rédempteur.
La légende indique.

U star nágli

Penéla u parmísso:

Star nágli hísle peráit

Fir ti kerén ti merél i Retáres.

Jek vintákri ciáj dikjás,

Forpái ap i hígla,

Har giálesli ap u drom fon u vélto.
Jek kórkoro ciordásli,

U kurmáskro na haiciardáspes.
Unt Jov viás kiáke nágaldo

.Mit trin nágli ap u kráizo.
U stárto náglo ciás i sinténgro gi mit i láida fon u Retári.
Penéla u parmísso

House of Lords hears child’s poignant Gypsy poem asking for ‘racism to be dead’

2007-02-17T22:27:00.000Z

A poignant poem written by a 10-year-old Traveller describing the persecution of Gypsies throughout history – and today – was read out at the House of Lords this week.
Lord Avebury, MP Julie Morgan and Councillor Richard Bennett of the Local Government Authority were among those listening to the poem at an event celebrating the voluntary work of Gypsies and Travellers, as part of the Year of the Volunteer.
Bridie Jones, a Traveller based in Canterbury, read out the poem, written by her grandson Blue, saying: “A lot of Gypsy and Traveller children are angry because they don’t realise why they are treated differently, even though they are wearing the same school uniform as other children.”

The poem begins with Travellers almost being wiped out by Hitler, confronts local councils and police who ‘put them through hell’, and ends in the future when Tony Robinson’s great grandson discovers a gold ear-ring, and realises that Gypsies have survived.

But people hated them, from far and near;

‘Don’t worry’ said one man, ‘I am here‘

I will build gas chambers so high in the sky,

Where thousands of them will surely die

I rid this world of man, woman and child,

Not one of this race will be left behind.’

But God was good, he saved a few,

And sent them out to spread a seed or two

In no time at all, the world was full,

With beautiful Gypsies tall and small

Their laughter and music was heard all over the land

This upset people, so began

their new plan

To get rid of travellers and Gypsies too

‘Let’s call up the council to see what they can do!’

Bridie, who volunteers in local schools, said the poem had been written because she encourages children to channel their anger into being creative. The poem ends:

“The moral of this poem, as you have read,

Is Gypsies will survive, and racism will be dead.”

Gypsies and Travellers who volunteer in health, education and with the police were presented with awards for their work by Lord Avebury, Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Traveller Law Reform.
Lord Avebury said that the positive message of the event, part of Citizenship and Community Month for the Year of the Volunteer, was a reply to the ‘steady drip, drip of racist media coverage’ against Gypsies and Travellers.

“There is a false stereotype of Gypsies and Travellers as rural invaders or outlaws, but we see today that they are active for the benefit of other people. I hope that the wider community will hear about this and perhaps acknowledge that there are positive aspects to Gypsy and Traveller life – which would be even greater if they were free from prejudice.”

Joe Jones, Blue’s grandfather, who volunteers to improve Traveller education, said: “We’re not like people think we are, because people haven’t got close enough to see what we are really like. So we’re just asking people to come up and shake our hand, perhaps have a cup of tea with us, and they’ll find out what we’re really like.”

Councillor Richard Bennett, Chairman of the LGA Gypsy and Traveller Task Group, said:
“Today’s event is not about what people are doing for themselves, but what you are doing for other people, and the world needs to know about it.

“We are going to make sure that the Gypsies and Travellers are treated in the same way as the settled community. I would like to think that a line has been drawn in the sand between the past and the future. I don’t want to look back at how it was – I know how it was and I don’t like it. We are all travelling together and only when we can do that with mutual respect can we call ourselves a civilised community.”

Andrew Ryder, policy worker for the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition, organisers of the event, said that it was extremely important that the LGA were aware of the voluntary work of Gypsies and Travellers.

“It was good for Richard to hear about the great work that Gypsies and Travellers do, and how they want to be part of the community, because I’m sure that will increase his resolve. After all the attacks on travellers earlier this year, I think a consensus is now being formed across the parties to want to address a lot of problematic issues, so I welcome that very much.”

Andrew added: “Many Travellers are facing eviction, some are living on the side of the road, but they still find time to try and make the world a better place for others. I think that’s quite exceptional. I think it will surprise some people that so many Travellers volunteer, but I hope it will change their perceptions of the community when they find out.”
The Year of the Volunteer is backed by the Home Office and led by CSV and the Volunteering England Consortium.

For further information please contact Chris Pitt, Year of the Volunteer Press Officer on 0207 812 0036, cpitt@csv.org.uk or Martin Walford on 0207 812 0033, mwalford@csv.org.uk .
Notes for editors
1 Another excerpt from the poem:

So in a few years they will be no more,

Gypsies selling heather at your door

We’ll keep those Gypsies away from good people like you

The law is with us, there’s nothing they can do.

So don’t worry dear Madam, all is well!

If you see any Gypsies, please ring me and tell.

I’ll send out the council and bailiffs as well,

To move them on, to where I can’t tell

Then all their land will belong to you and me,

To build houses as far as the eye can see.

Poem excerpts copyright B and J Jones.

The Siege of Tamworth -Hitlers Final Solution 2006 ???? ~~Le siège de la solution finale 2006 de Tamworth - de Hitlers ? ? ? ?

2007-02-10T15:58:00.000Z

On a warm late summers evening on Thursday 21st September 2006, the peace and quiet at the end of the day was shattered by the screams of women and young children as a blood thirsty mob of 50 attacked a Travellors site in Tamworth , in Staffordshire UK.

After fuelling themselves with alcohol at a near by pub the mob decided that they would remove the unauthorised encampment from their turf and proceeded to the site armed with iron bars, baseball bats and other weapons.

Cars were deliberately driven into caravans including one where an 8 month old baby was hurled to the floor by the impact. Women and children fled half naked in fear for their lives while the mob continued to wreak havoc on the site.Gas pipes were torn apart and caravans deliberately blown up.

The Gypsies had moved onto the site 6 days earlier, a piece of wasteland by the side of a sports stadium. Only hours before the attack they had been served with eviction notices, but some of the residents of Tamworth felt this was not good enough or quick enough and decided to take matters into their own hands

Frantic phone calls were made to the Police as people fled in panic, but it is claimed that it took over 40 minutes for the police to arrive in which time the camp was virtually razed to the ground.

The Police then arrested 12 people at the scene - 9 of whom were Travellors !!!!!!!. Women and children were also taken into custody to various Police stations, although not charged with any offences the Police later claimed " it for their own protection"

How is it that a group of people are targeted by a "hate mob" of 50+ and yet only 3 of the perpetrators are arrested. The other 75% arrested are the innocent victims themselves?

This was nothing short of a racist hate crime, with chilling echoes of the systematic decimation of the Gypsy population in Europe during the Nazi's reign in the 2nd World War.

Who could believe that such savagery and hatred could be witnessed in the 21st century here in UK?
And yet once again those in Power appear to have turned a blind eye and allowed such violence to occur.

There has been outrage expressed all over the Country and it is understood that an official complaint to the IPCC has been ignored. The Commission for Racial Equality are also investigating the matter.

This has to be one of the worst racially motivated crimes in Britain in recent times, and yet there was little or no coverage in the national press. What coverage there was focused on a member of the angry mob, a local man Gary Hale, who was run over by his own armed gang and had to be airlifted to hospital with head leg and chest injuries.

Where is the public outrage ? where is the national coverage of press and media? Our Media is preoccupied with hysterical and unfounded ranting about the wearing of the Muslim veil, creating a frenzy of uproar and debate in every public medium, even the House of Commons. And all the while a group of innocent people are brutally attacked and their homes wrecked simply because of race....and barely a murmur is heard.

We are supposed to have some of the most powerful race hate laws in the world, and yet there is one group that are constantly discriminated against without fear of prosecution. Once again the Gypsy people are 2 fair game". Britain should hang it's head in shame.

This incident once again highlights the failure of the Government and it's local authorities to provide sufficient sites around the country for the travelling & Gypsy population

If enough sites were made available by local authorities, as the Government continually promises it will promote and enforce..then, the problem of "unauthorised" encampments would not exist

When will the fear and hatred of our people cease. Britain is a multi-cultural society!
We Welcome all colours, creeds and religions....but if your a Gypsy ot Travellor ...

...... Forget it ....

Des fins d'été chaudes égalisant le jeudi 21 septembre 2006, la paix et la tranquillité à la fin du jour ont été brisées par les cris perçants des femmes et les enfants en bas âge en tant que foule altérée de sang de 50 ont attaqué un emplacement gitan dans Tamworth, dans Staffordshire UK.

Après remplissage avec de l'alcool à un proche par la publication la foule a décidé qu'ils enlèveraient le campement non autorisé de leur gazon et procédé à l'emplacement armé avec des barres de fer, battes de base-ball et d'autres armes

Des voitures ont été délibérément conduites dans des caravanes comprenant une où un bébé âgé de 8 mois a été lancé au plancher par l'impact. Les femmes et les enfants se sont sauvés à moitié nu dans la crainte pendant leurs vies tandis que la foule continuait à limiter les dégats sur l'emplacement.Des pipes de gaz ont été déchirées et des caravanes délibérément ont été faites sauter.

Les bohémiens avaient passé à l'emplacement pendant 6 jours plus tôt, un morceau de terre en friche par le côté d'un stade de sports. Seulement heures avant que l'attaque ils ait été servie avec des notices d'expulsion, mais certains des résidants de Tamworth se sont sentis que ce n'était pas bon assez ou assez vite et décidé de prendre des sujets dans leurs propres mains
Des appels effrénés de téléphone ont été faits à la police pendant que les gens se sauvaient dans la panique, mais on le réclame qu'il a assuré 40 minutes pour que la police arrive dans quelle heure le camp a été pratiquement rasée à la terre.

La police a alors arrêté 12 personnes à la scène - 9 de qui étaient des bohémiens ! ! ! ! ! ! !. Les femmes et les enfants ont été également portés dans la garde à de divers commissariats de police, bien que non chargé de toutes les offenses la police plus tard l'a réclamé "pour leur propre protection "
Comment se fait il qu'un groupe de personnes sont visés par une "foule de haine" de 50+ mais seulement 3 des malfaiteurs sont arrêtés. Les autres 75% arrêtés sont les victimes innocentes elles-mêmes ?Ce n'était rien sous peu d'un crime raciste de haine, avec des échos de refroidissement de la décimation systématique de la population gitane en Europe pendant le règne du nazi dans la deuxième guerre mondiale.

Qui pourrait croire qu'une telle sauvagerie et haine pourraient être étées témoin dans les vingt firstcentury ici au UK ?Mais de nouveau ceux dans la puissance semblent avoir tourné un oeil aveugle et avoir permis à une telle violence de se produire.Il y a eu outrage exprimé partout le pays et on le comprend qu'une plainte officielle à l'IPCC a été ignorée. La Commission pour l'égalité raciale étudient également la matière.

Ceci doit être l'un des plus mauvais crimes racial motivés en Grande-Bretagne ces derniers temps, mais il y avait peu ou pas d'assurance dans la pression nationale. Quelle assurance là a été concentrée sur un membre de la foule fâchée, un homme local Gary Hale, qui a été couru plus de par sa propre troupe armée et a dû être transporté par avion à l'hôpital avec les dommages principaux de jambe et de coffre.

Où est le public outrage ? où est l'assurance nationale de pression et de médias ? Nos médias est préoccupés avec ranting hysterique et non fondé au sujet du port du voile musulman, créant une frénésie de tumulte et de discussion dans chaque milieu public, même la Chambre des Communes. Et tout moment par groupe de personnes innocentes sont brutalement attaqués et leurs maisons sont détruites simplement en raison de la course….et à peine un murmure est entendu

Nous sommes censés avoir certaines des lois de haine de course les plus puissantes dans le monde, mais il y a un groupe qui sont constamment distingués contre sans la crainte de la poursuite. De nouveau les personnes gitanes sont " jeu juste ". La Grande-Bretagne devrait l'accrocher est principale dans la honte.Cet incident accentue de nouveau l'échec du gouvernement et c'est des autorités locales pour fournir les emplacements suffisants dans le pays pour la population gitane de déplacement
Si assez d'emplacements étaient rendus disponibles par des autorités locales, comme de gouvernement les promesses continuellement qu'il favorisera et imposera.puis, le problème des campements " non autorisés " n'existerait pas quand la crainte et la haine de nos personnes cesseront. La Grande-Bretagne est une société multiculturelle !Nous faisons bon accueil à toutes les couleurs, foi et religions….mais si votre un gitan…

...... Oubliez-le….

A Gypsy Boy

2007-02-06T14:40:00.000Z

This poignant Poem was written by Simon Deacon, who is currently serving a sentance at Her Majesty's Prison Leicester....he would like it dedicated to Charlene. A Gypsy Boy

A Gypsy boy came home one day,

To find his true love had gone away,

When he asked the reason why...

This is what she did reply...

"because you chose a life of crime...

Gypsy boy ..do your time..

If you had chose and honest life

I would have gladly been your wife "

In Jail they found him dead,

and in his cell ..a note that read...

"Dig my grave and dig it deep,

Place red roses at my feet

Upon my chest a turtle Dove..

to show the world I died for love"

So all you Gypsy girls bare in mind,

A good Gypsy boy maybe hard to find,

So, when you you find one

Love him true,

Because, this Gypsy boy

Would die for you

Le pèlerinage au Saint Sara 2007~~Pilgrimage to Saint Sara 2007

2007-01-30T17:13:00.000Z

Je voyage en France en mai pour le Pèlerinage au Saint SaraPeut quelqu'un reccomend un bon Hôtel accomadation de préférence dans Arles
Égards les plus gentils
Pesha Tshaya
(gyps1e1957@aol.com)

I am travelling to France in May for the Pilgrimage to Saint SaraCan anyone reccomend some good Hotel accomadation preferably in Arles
Kindest regards
Pesha Tshaya
(gyps1e1957@aol.com)

Joyeux anniversaire & bienvenue Emily Elizabeth.. Happy Birthday & Welcome Emily Elizabeth

2007-01-19T21:52:00.000Z

Enfin ! ma petite fille grande est arrivée pendant 12 jours tard et soutenu un après-midi quand l'Angleterre a été ravagée près donnez l'assaut à les vents obligatoires. J'espère que ceci aura la réflexion sur sa personnalité ! ! :-)

Cette petite fille est mon 3ème enfant, et la joie de son arrivée est ombragée seulement par la tristesse que mes propres parents sont morte et ne peuvent pas partager dans ma joie, Oh comment ils auraient a aimé la tenir dans des leurs bras.

Quand mon propre premier enfant est né, mon père m'a conseillé qu'ici dans des mes bras j'ai eu « une page blanche » et pour faire attention très ce que j'ai écrit là-dessus. Ces mots sages sont demeurés avec moi depuis, et quand jamais un bébé est soutenu à notre famille je transmettez toujours ces mots aux nouveaux parents

Aujourd'hui j'ai regardé fixement la personne minuscule étendue dans des mes bras et mes pensées sont allées de nouveau au jour où sa mère est née, et bien que 26 ans ont passé, il semble qu'un tel à court terme il y a cela j'ai jugé la mère d'Emily dans des mes bras.

Là aucun événement qui peut remplir vie avec tant d'espoir et joie comme la naissance d'un bébé. Pendant que je regardais fixement elle je me suis demandé ce que sera son voyage par la vie. Mais si je peux faire un souhait pour elle, il serait ceci

" Emily.. pouvez vous toujours être entouré par les personnes qui vous aiment…et pouvez vous toujours être rempli avec amour pour le peuple qui partagent votre voyage….Dieu de mai vous bénissent toujours "

Latcho Drom Emily .....Latcho Drom.(Latcho Drom est Romani pour " le voyage sûr ")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At Last ! my little grand daughter has arrived 12 days late and born on an afternoon when England was ravaged by storm forced winds. I do hope this will have reflection on her personality !! :-)

This little girl is my 3rd Grandchild, and the joy of her arrival is shadowed only by the sadness that my own parents have died and cannot share in my Joy, Oh how they would have loved to hold her in their arms.

When my own first child was born, my father advised me that here in my arms I had a " blank page" and to be very careful what I wrote on it. Those wise words have remained with me ever since, and when ever a baby is born to our family I always pass on these words to the new parents.

Today I gazed at the tiny person laid in my arms and my thoughts went back to the day her mother was born, and although 26 years have passed, it seems such a short time ago that I held Emily's mother in my arms.

There no event that can fill life with such hope and joy as the birth of a baby. As I gazed at her I wondered what her journey through life will be. But if I can make a wish for her, it would be this

" Emily, may you always be surrounded by people who love you...and may you always be filled with love for the people who share your journey ....May God bless you always "

Latcho Drom Emily .....Latcho Drom.
( Latcho Drom is Romani for " safe Journey " )

Contact me contactez-moi

2007-01-11T09:56:00.000Z

Hi if anyone needs to contact me here are the details

Salut si quelqu'un doit me contacter voici les détails

email : gyps1e1957@aol.com

Tel (mobile )
(uk) 077386 - 24588

Impatiently Waiting ...Impatiemment Attente

2007-01-11T09:43:00.000Z

My eldest daughter Katherine is due to give birth..infact she was due to give birth 5 days ago !!..and so my days are filled waiting for the telephone to ring. She was here yesterday resplendant in her girth :-).. but no sign that the baby was on its way.

I remember when I was having my children..how my mother would fuss..she nearly drove me crazy..yesterday I felt just like my mother..I'm sure thats a bad sign ..a sign I'm turning into an old woman ...Oh God !! I must stop fussing

Writing this is another form of fussing.. but ..its something to do ..while I wait for that phone to ring

I will post a photograph of my new grand daughter as soon as she arrives..a typical grandmother...boring the pants off everyone with photographs of her " little angels "

Ma fille la plus vieille Katherine est due d'avoir un bébé .. infact elle était due d'avoir un bébé il y a 5 jours!! .. et ainsi mes jours sont remplis en attendant le téléphone pour sonner. Elle était ici hier resplendant dans son tour de taille :-) .. mais aucun signe que le bébé était sur sa voie.

Je me souviens quand j'avais mes enfants .. comment ma mère se ferait du souci .. elle m'a presque conduit .. idiot hier je me suis senti comme ma mère.. Je suis sûr thats un mauvais signe .. un signe je me transforme en vieille femme... Oh Dieu!! Je dois arrêter de me faire du souci
L'écriture de cela est une autre forme de se faire du souci .., mais .. son quelque chose pour faire .. pendant que j'attends ce téléphone pour sonner

postera une photographie de ma nouvelle grande fille aussitôt qu'elle arrive .. une grand-mère typique ... ennuyeux la culotte de chacun avec les photographies de ses "petits anges"

Happy New Year !! Nouvelle année heureuse !!

2006-12-31T21:40:00.000Z

As we approach the last hours that close the old year..I spend time thinking about the year just past..and the many years of my life that have now passed this year it will be 50 in all !!

This year ..2006 has been a difficult one..loved ones have died and left this life..hopefully for a better place..and much as we celebrate their lives ..and bless having known and loved them ..their passing also leaves us with the hurt and grief that such losses always cause...we love much ..therefore we grieve deeply..grief is the price we pay for love... but the love is it...and as we get older ourselves ...we seem to paying this unwelcome debt all too often.

I think of my parents and Grand parents..now all long gone..sometimes this leaves me feeling lonely and sad ....where are they ? My Grandmother so tiny and frail, but so strong and wise..my mother ..always the peacemaker..I feel sometimes they are so far away..but then a child takes a fall and cries with a bruised knee..and as I hear my voice offering soothing words..They are there !! my mothers voice ..my grandmothers voice... my voice ..they are one..mothering..and the care of children is learned from mother to daughter..when I care for or nuture a child ...they are alive once more..when I offer sound advice to another in need..they live on ... the older I become , the more I feel them..the more I know they live on.

My father...who to the eyes of the world was not my father at all...was a man whose personality came through in me in life ..and after death..a man of outspoken words...a man whose death made 1000's gather to pay respect ... a man who keeps close to me via the songs he sang ...the songs we sang..how I miss them all

But now having looked back ..and remembered..and paid respect to those loved ones ..I look to and rejoice for the new friendships forged in 2006...I give thanks for the new friends..and the old and faithful and much loved friends that I cherish so very much.

What will 2007 bring with her ? I hope it will bring peace for the Romani people..a long awaited Peace..as I write this the Countries of Romania and Bulgaria are within hours of being European Community members....a fact I veiw with mixed feelings ..both Countries have dreadful attitudes to the Romani people..who have little or no human rights in either Country..it is argued that being members of the EEC will improve this ..but sadly I am doubtful...The Czec Republic on entry to EEC..treated the Romani people in the most appalling way...nothing has changed since entry... so I cannot help but suspect that the same will be the case with Bulgaria and Romania...

I hope that 2007 brings you all health and happiness..thank you all for your many emails relating to my blogg..it is always wonderful to hear from you

Happy New Year.......OPRE ROMA !!!

Comme nous approchons les dernières heures qui étroites la vieille année.Je passe le temps pensant à l'année juste au delà.et les nombreuses années de ma vie qui l'ont maintenant passé à cette année seront 50 en tout ! !Cette année. .2006 a été difficile.a aimé ceux sont morts et gauche cette vie.si tout va bien pour un meilleur endroit.et beaucoup comme nous célébrons leurs vies....et bénissez avoir su et les avez aimés.leur dépassement également nous laisse avec le mal et peine que de telles pertes causent toujours…nous aimons beaucoup.donc nous nous affligeons profondément.la peine est le prix que nous payons l'amour… mais l'amour est lui…et comme nous vieillissons nous-mêmes…nous semblons à payer cette dette fâcheuse toute trop souvent.

Je pense à mes parents et parents.maintenant tout long allé.parfois ceci laisse me le sentiment isolé et triste….où sont-ils ? Mon grand-mère si minuscule et frêle, mais si fort et sage.ma mère.toujours le conciliateur.Je me sens que parfois ils sont si lointains.mais alors un enfant prend une chute et pleure avec un genou meurtri.et comme j'entends ma voix offrir des mots calmants.Ils sont là ! ! ma voix de mères....ma voix de grands-mères… ma voix.ils sont un.enfanter.et le soin des enfants est appris de la mère à la fille.quand je m'inquiète de ou nuture un enfant…ils sont vivants une fois de plus.quand j'offre le conseil sain à l'autre dans le besoin.ils vivent sur… plus je deviens âgé, plus je les sens.plus que je sais qu'elles vis dessus.

Mon père…qui aux yeux du monde n'était pas mon père du tout…était un homme dont la personnalité est venue à travers dans moi dans la vie.et après la mort.un homme des mots francs…un homme dont la mort a fait le rassemblement 1000's pour payer le respect… un homme qui le garde près de moi par l'intermédiaire des chansons a chanté…les chansons que nous avons chantées.comment je les manque tous

Mais après avoir maintenant regardé en arrière.et rappelé.et le respect payé à ceux a aimé ceux.Je regarde à et me réjouis pour les nouvelles amitiés forgé en 2006…Je donne des mercis des nouveaux amis.et le vieux et le fidèle et beaucoup ont aimé les amis que j'aime tellement beaucoup.

Que 2007 apporteront-ils avec elle ? J'espère qu'il apportera la paix pour les gens de Romani.une paix attendue depuis longtemps.car j'écris ceci les pays de la Roumanie et de la Bulgarie ont lieu dans des heures d'être des membres de la Communauté européenne….un veiw du fait I avec des sentiments mélangés.les deux pays ont des attitudes redoutables aux personnes de Romani.qui ont peu ou pas de droits de l'homme dans l'un ou l'autre pays.on lui discute qu'être des membres de la EEC améliorera ceci.mais tristement je suis douteux…La République de Czec sur l'entrée à la EEC.a traité les personnes de Romani de la manière la plus effroyable…rien n'a changé depuis l'entrée… ainsi je ne peux pas aider mais suspecter que le même soit le cas avec la Bulgarie et la Roumanie…

J'espère que 2007 t'apporte tous les santé et bonheur.merci tout de vos beaucoup d'email concernant mon blogg.il est toujours merveilleux pour avoir de vos nouvelles…

Nouvelle année heureuse !!!.......OPRE ROMA !!

TAROT

2006-11-19T11:39:00.000Z

Throughout the ages
Seers have sought
The ways of fortune
Fate & strife
They wrote their knowledge
on the cards
As sign posts
For the road of Life

I have been reading the Tarot since I was 12 years old, at the time of writing that is 37 years !. I have read for people from all over the world, from many different walks of life and from diversely different backgrounds. Throughout there is one common denominator, and that is that people rarely come for a reading when all is going well in their lives. It is usually at times of difficulty or indecision that people find themselves seeking guidance from the Tarot.

A good reader must at all times be sensitive to the possible vulnerability of the questioner, who although may present themselves as self assured and confident, there is every chance they are emotionally fragile

Tarot will not as commonly misconcieved "tell the future" any reader who makes such bold claims, is either deliberately misleading people to his or her own advantage, or, they simply do not understand the Tarot and how it works.

Tarot is a Divination that means it "reveals what is hidden ", indeed the word Tarot means "hidden". The Tarot is able to problem solve, it is a wonderful divination tool that helps the questioner via the reader, to connect with the problem, thus forming patterns of how events and certain issues are likely to develop.

The Tarot helps the questioner to identify the options and possibilities, and then make an informed choice, As the reading progresses, and what was once hidden becomes revealed, the questioner has a more enlightened perspective. As a reader I like to think I provide a detailed map for the questioner to follow, but NOT a satellite navigation system, it is always at the end of the day, the questioner that choses which route best suits them

Tout au long des âges,
Seers ontcherché, Les manières de la fortune, Destin et différends, Ils ont écrit leur connaissance, sur les cartes, Comme poteaux de signe. Pour la route de la vie.

J'avais lu le Tarot depuis que j'étais 12 années, à l'heure de l'écriture qui est de 37 ans !. J'ai lu pour des personnes de partout dans le monde, de beaucoup de différents secteurs et des milieux différemment différents. Dans tout lui y a un dénominateur commun, et c'est que les gens viennent rarement pour une lecture quand tout entre bien en leurs vies. Il est habituellement à une époque de difficulté ou indécision que les gens se trouvent des conseils cherchants du Tarot.

Un bon lecteur doit à tout moment être sensible à la vulnérabilité possible de l'interpellateur, qui bien que puisse présenter eux-mêmes comme assurés et confiants, il y a chaque chance qu'ils sont avec émotion fragiles

Tarot pas comme misconcieved généralement " ne disent au futur " aucun lecteur qui fait de telles réclamations audacieux, est l'un ou l'autre les personnes délibérément fallacieuses à son propre avantage, ou, ils simplement ne comprennent pas le Tarot et comment cela fonctionne

Tarot est une divination que le moyen il " indique ce qui est caché ", en effet le mot Tarot signifie " caché ". Le Tarot peut au problème résolvent, c'est un outil merveilleux de divination qui aide l'interpellateur par l'intermédiaire du lecteur, pour se relier au problème, de ce fait formant des modèles de la façon dont les événements et certaines questions sont susceptibles de se développer.

Le Tarot aide l'interpellateur à identifier les options et les possibilités, et faites alors un choix au courant, Comme la lecture progresse, et ce qui a été par le passé caché devient indiqué, l'interpellateur a une perspective plus éclairée. Comme un lecteur que j'aime me penser fournissez une carte détaillée pour l'interpellateur pour suivre, mais PAS un système de navigation satellite, il est toujours à la fin du jour, l'interpellateur ce choses qui conduisent les meilleurs costumes ils

ETHNIC ROMA ASK FOR EUROPEAN CHART AGAINST DISCRIMINATION //ROMA ETHNIQUE DEMANDENT LE DIAGRAMME EUROPÉEN CONTRE LA DISCRIMINATION

2006-11-19T11:13:00.001Z

STRASBOURG - The communities of ethnic Roma and nomadic groups in Europe on November 8 asked for the drafting of a European Chart that guarantees a better protection against discrimination, the news agencies report.

"The ethnic Roma minority is a frequent victim of discrimination in many states around Europe, as regards the access to education, medical services or labour places," said the president of the European Forum for Ethnic Roma and Nomadic Groups, Rudko Kawczynski.

During a seminar organized by the Council of Europe. Some 80 delegates throughout Europe decried the aggravated status of ethnic Roma in some countries in Eastern Europe, such as Slovakia or the Czech Republic. "Women fear forced sterilization, entire families are subject to forced shifting,"

Kawczynski said. The situation is even worse in Kosovo, where 20,000 ethnic Roma were evicted "right in front of the eyes of the members with the Peacekeeping Force, or KFOR," Kawczynski added. Some 14 million ethnic Roma are living in the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, only 1% of them representing nomadic groups.

The European Forum for Ethnic Roma and Nomadic Groups was established in 1991 and fights the alienation of the ethnic Roma communities, asking for "a better use of the EU's funds" targeting this minority.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STRASBOURG - les communautés de Roma ethnique et groupes nomades en Europe le 8 novembre demandée la rédaction d'un diagramme européen qui garantit une meilleure protection contre la discrimination, le rapport d'agences de nouvelles.

" La minorité ethnique de Roma est une victime fréquente de discrimination dans beaucoup d'états autour de l'Europe, en ce qui concerne l'accès à l'éducation, services médicaux ou endroits de travail," a dit le président du forum européen pour Roma ethnique et groupes nomades, Rudko Kawczynski, pendant une conférence organisée par le Conseil de l'Europe. Environ 80 délégués dans l'ensemble de l'Europe ont décrié le statut aggravé de Roma ethnique dans quelques pays en Europe de l'Est, comme la Slovaquie ou la République Tchèque. " Stérilisation obligatoire de crainte de femmes, les familles entières sont sujettes au décalage obligatoire," Kawczynski dit.

La situation est encore plus mauvaise dans Kosovo, là où 20.000 Roma ethnique étaient " exacts expulsé devant les yeux des membres avec la force de maintien de la paix, ou KFOR," Kawczynski supplémentaire.

Environ 14 millions de Roma ethnique vivent aux 46 Etats Membres du Conseil de l'Europe, seulement 1% d'entre eux représentant les groupes nomades. Le forum européen pour Roma ethnique et groupes nomades a été établi en 1991 et combat l'aliénation des communautés ethniques de Roma, demander « une meilleure utilisation des fonds de l'UE » visant cette minorité.

Gypsy Gold Or Gitan

2006-11-17T16:39:00.000Z

Gypsy Gold does not clink and glitter......

It gleams in the sun..and Neighs in the dark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

L'or gitan ne tinte pas et ne scintille pas….

Il brille au soleil.et hennit dans l'obscurité

Romani Rights Des Droites Gitanes

2006-11-17T15:15:00.000Z

European Roma Parliament adopts resolution on Roma in Europe

Date: November 2006 Strasbourg

By the end of its three days meeting the Plenary Assembly of the European Roma and Travellers Forum adopted a resolution by which it urged the Committee of Ministers and the European Council to adopt a European Roma Rights Charter. Such a charter should become a legally binding instrument forcing national governments and international organisations to respect the rights of the Roma.

Delegates from all more than 40 Council of Europe member states including representatives of the seven main international Roma organisations met at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg to discuss the situation of Roma in Europe. In country reports discrimination in the field of education, housing, health and employment were highlighted. Several delegates highlighted how existing Human rights instruments and anti-discrimination are not properly applied to the situation of Roma. They also expressed criticism at the fact that political initiatives aimed to addressing the plight of Roma often do not take into account the actual needs of their intended beneficiaries.

In a press conference following the meeting, Forum’s president, Rudko Kawczynski, pointed out at the evidence that anti-Gypsyism is growing in Europe. He pointed out in particular at the situation of Roma in Kosovo which he compared to the situation of Jewish people in Germany after WWII. He further highlighted the difficult situation of Roma in Turkey and stated that the Forum wants to be considered as a stakeholder in the discussions surrounding EU accession of this country.

“We want to show that Roma are not just an object of politics, but 14 million people in Europe whose rights need to be respected,” Forum’s president said.

Established in 2004, the European Roma and Travellers Forum is a European Roma umbrella organisation which gathers Romani organisations from all over Europe. A partnership agreement with the Council of Europe gives the Forum a unique status and makes it a prime interlocutor for the Council of Europe and national governments on issues affecting Roma communities

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Le Parlement européen de Roma adopte la résolution concernant Roma dans de l'Europe :

Date : Le novembre 2006 Strasbourg

vers la fin de ses trois jours rencontrant l'Assemblée plénière du forum européen de Roma et de voyageurs a adopté une résolution par laquelle il a invité le Comité des ministres et du Conseil européen à adopter une charte européenne de droites de Roma. Une telle charte devrait devenir un instrument légalement obligatoire forçant des gouvernements nationaux et des organismes internationaux à respecter les droites de Roma.

Les délégués de tout plus de 40 Etats Membres du Conseil de l'Europe comprenant des représentants des sept organismes internationaux principaux de Roma se sont réunis chez le Palais de l la' Europe à Strasbourg pour discuter la situation de Roma en Europe. Dans le pays rapporte la discrimination dans le domaine de l'éducation, logement, la santé et l'emploi a été accentuée. Plusieurs délégués ont accentué comment des instruments existants et l'anti-discrimination de droits de l'homme ne sont pas correctement appliqués à la situation de Roma. Ils ont également exprimé la critique au fait que les initiatives politiques ont visé à adresser la situation difficile de Roma souvent ne tiennent pas compte des besoins réels de leurs bénéficiaires prévus.

Dans une conférence de presse suivant la réunion, Le président du forum, Rudko Kawczynski, précisé à l'évidence que l'anti-Ciganism se développe en Europe. Il a précisé en particulier à la situation de Roma dans Kosovo qu'il a comparé à la situation des personnes juives en Allemagne après WWII. Il a plus loin accentué la situation difficile de Roma en Turquie et a déclaré que le forum veut être considéré en tant que dépositaire dans les discussions entourant l'accession de l'UE de ce pays.

"Nous voulons prouver que Roma ne sont pas simplement un objet de la politique, mais 14 millions de personnes en Europe dont les droites doivent être respectées,"Le président du forum dit.

Établi en 2004, le forum européen de Roma et de voyageurs est une organisation de parapluie européenne de Roma qui recueille des organismes de Romani partout de l'Europe. Un accord d'association avec le Conseil de l'Europe donne au forum un statut unique et lui fait un interlocuteur principal pour le Conseil de l'Europe et des gouvernements nationaux sur des questions affectant les communautés de Roma

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

N'avlom ke tumende o maro te mangel.

Avlom ke tumende kam man pativ te den.

~~~~~~~~~

I did not come to you to beg for bread.

I came to you to demand respect.

~~~~~~~~~~

Je ne suis pas venu chez toi pour prier pour le pain.

Je suis venu chez toi pour exiger le respect.

2006-11-17T12:00:00.000Z

"baxt hai satimos tiri patragi"

"good luck & good health"

Every culture enriches our lives

With it's own unique beauty and wisdom.

Yet we all share the same dreams,

The same need for love, home & Kinship.

These are the common threads that bind us together

As one family in one world

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chaque culture enrichit nos vies

avec sa propre beauté unique et sagesse

pourtant nous tous partageons les mêmes espoirs et rêves,

Les mêmes besoin d'amour, la maison et la parenté

ceux-ci sont les fils communs qui nous lient ensemble,

En tant qu'une famille en un monde

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"baxt hai satimos tiri patragi"

"bonne chance et bonne santé"

Romani Anthem (In Romani & English & Français

2006-11-15T22:20:00.000Z

Gelem, Gelem

Romani Anthem

Gelem, gelem, lungone

dromensa

Maladilem bahktale Romensa

A Romale katar tumen aven,

E tsarensa bahktale dromensa?

A Romale, A Chavale

Vi man sas ek bari familiya,

Murdadas la e kali legiya

Aven mansa sa lumniake

Roma,

Kai putaile e romane droma

Ake vriama, usti Rom akana,

Men khutasa misto kai kerasa

A Romale, A Chavale

I went, I went on long roads

I met happy Roma

O Roma where do you come from,

With tents on happy roads?

O Roma, O fellow Roma

I once had a great family,

The Black Legions* murdered them

Come with me Roma from all the world

For the Romani roads have opened

Now is the time, rise up Roma now,

We will rise high if we act
O Roma, O fellow Roma

(Composed by Jarko Jovanovic to a traditional melody) * Black Legions are the Nazi's

Je suis allé, Je suis allé sur de longues

routes que j'ai rencontré Roma heureux

O Roma d'où vous venez,

Avec des tentes sur les routes heureuses ?

O Roma, Le camarade Roma I

d'O a par le passé eu une grande famille,

Le Legions* noir les a assassinés

viennent avec que moi Roma de tout monde

pour les routes de Romani se sont ouverts

maintenant est le temps, élévation vers le haut de Roma maintenant,

Nous nous lèverons haut si nous agissons

O Roma, Camarade Roma d'O

(composé par Jarko Jovanovic à une mélodie traditionnelle) *Les légions noires sont le nazi (les Allemands)

The Romani

2006-11-15T21:23:00.000Z

Since leaving India over a millennium ago the Romani People have wandered the earth without a homeland...always misunderstood...often persecuted..and forever the unwelcome visitor. It is unclear why exactly the Romani left the motherland of India.The name Gypsy originated from the incorrect notion that the Romani people were Egyptians, although they most certainly both passed through and settled in Egypt.

Throughout the middle ages the Christian churches persecuted the Romani. rumours were spread that the Romani were Devil worshippers. This misunderstanding came about because the Romani word for God is Devel (the word for Devil being Beng)A further rumour was spread that the Romani who often worked as ironworkers and blacksmiths had forged the nails for the crucifixion of Christ. There is infact a rather charming story in relation to this that I will post on this blog in the future.

The persecution of the Romani peaked when Adolf Hitler in an act of Genocide killed and estimated 75% of the Romani living in that area of the world, in the death camps during the second world war. Sadly even to this day the Romani remain a misunderstood people who are still persecuted for no other reason than race, this problem is particularly prevelent in Eastern European countries.

The wonderful people that are the Romani, and the wonderful culture that is theirs have given so much already. The Romani took the Flamenco to Spain and brought the violin to Europe. The Romani have never started any war and proudly excliam "we sing no war songs"...and yet they live on the very peripherals os society...rather than being embraced by it

I hope that via this blog I can bring to others an understanding of what are probably the most misunderstood race on earth...the Romani people.....my people

" The Romani...a nation..scattered like stars...before the eyes of God .."

Depuis laisser à l'Inde au-dessus il y a d'un millénium les personnes de Romani ont erré la terre sans patrie…toujours mal compris…souvent persécuté.et pour toujours le visiteur fâcheux. Il est peu clair pourquoi exactement le Romani a quitté la mère patrie de l'Inde.Le bohémien nommé a provenu de la notion incorrecte que les personnes de Romani étaient des Egyptiennes, bien qu'ils le plus certainement aient traversé et se soient établis en Egypte.

Tout au long des âges de milieu les églises chrétiennes ont persécuté le Romani. on a répandu des rumeurs que le Romani étaient des adorateurs de diable. Ce malentendu est survenu parce que le mot de Romani pour Dieu est Devel (le mot pour le diable étant Beng) A que davantage de rumeur a été répandue qui le Romani qui a souvent fonctionné car les serruriers et les forgerons avaient forgé les ongles pour la crucifixion du Christ. Il y a infact par histoire charmante plutôt par rapport à ceci que je signalerai sur ce blog à l'avenir

La persécution du Romani a fait une pointe quand Adolf Hitler dans un acte de génocide a tué et a estimé 75% du Romani vivant dans ce secteur du monde, dans la mort campe pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale. Même tristement à ce jour où le Romani restent un peuple mal compris qui sont encore persécutés pour aucune autre raison qu'emballent, ce problème est particulièrement prevelent dans les pays de l'Est.

Les personnes merveilleuses qui sont le Romani, et la culture merveilleuse qui est à eux ont donné tellement déjà. Le Romani a pris le flamenco en Espagne et a apporté le violon à l'Europe. Le Romani n'ont jamais commencé n'importe quelle guerre et fièrement excliam « nous ne chantons aucune chanson de guerre »…mais ils vivent sur la société même d'OS de périphériques…plutôt que d'étant embrassé par lui

J'espère que par l'intermédiaire de ce blog je pourrai apporter à d'autres un arrangement de ce qui sont probablement la course la plus mal comprise sur terre…les personnes de Romani .....mes personnes

"le Romani…une nation.dispersé comme tient le premier rôle…avant les yeux de Dieu "

Hello

2006-11-10T23:39:00.000Z

Hey, its me Pesha
I can't get the hang of the blog thing , so I'm just saying hello, I hope to get the hang of it soon I'm 100% tatcho Roma ...thats true Gypsy.. long before my birth some of my family were lost the holocaust, what was done to the Gypsy people is not recognised, my people , my family were in that area then and were devastated, and that meant by the time I was born there was no network of support for my mother..which in turn meant that my life took a "detour" and it took some time for me to find my direction. but we live on, in defiance, but still my people are persecuted and suffer the world over. I make it my job, my mission to try and make this less if the little I do makes a difference then it's all worthwhile. I have many friends from all over the world including my "Gitano brothers" the Gipsy Kings
I welcome messages from everyone , please talk to me and ask about the Romani gypsy culture if you have questions , I will do my best to answer and if I cannot then I will find someone who can
thank you

Hé, son je Pesha

je ne peux pas obtenir le coup de la chose de blog, ainsi je suis énonciation juste bonjour, J'espère obtenir le coup de lui bientôt que je suis le tatcho 100% Roma…c'est bohémien vrai.J'ai été élevé de la manière de Romani et j'apporte mes enfants et enfants grands vers le haut de cette façon aussi bien. J'ai perdu beaucoup de ma famille à l'holocauste

ce qui a été fait aux personnes gitanes n'est pas reconnu, mes personnes, ma famille étaient du fait le secteur puis et ont été dévastés, mais nous vivons dessus, dans le défit, mais mes personnes sont persécutées et souffrent toujours le monde plus de. Je lui fais mon travail, ma mission pour essayer et faire ceci moins

Je fais bon accueil à des messages de chacun, les pleaae me parlent et demandent sur la culture gitane de Romani si vous avez des questions, Je ferai mon meilleur pour répondre vous remercie