London Protest over threat to Crays Hill Travellers - Essex

From the Echo

TRAVELLERS will take part in a worldwide day of protests on Sunday to send a message to Basildon Council they won’t budge from Crays Hill.

Families living illegally in Oak Lane, near the former Dale Farm site, and in overcrowded conditions on the neighbouring authorised caravan pitches, have until Wednesday, April 11, to move off or face further eviction action.

On Sunday some of them joined by campaigners will travel to London to demonstrate against what the say is council discrimination against them.

The event, starting in Hyde Park Corner from 12pm, is part of Roma Nation Day, with similar protests taking place around Europe to demonstrate against the evictions of Roma families across the Continnent.

Grattan Puxon, a campaigner for the families at Dale Farm, said the protest would end outside the offices of communities secretery Eric Pickles, who recently introduced legislation making it harder for Travellers to set up camps on green belt.

He said: "They can't leave because there is simply nowhere for them to go."

The demo has been organised by people from the Traveller Solidarity Network, set up after the Dale Farm eviction last October.

Members recently held seminars in 25 towns across England to raise awareness about Dale Farm and encourage people to take part on Sunday.