Fruits of the racist referendum- racist attacks in Cork

cork | crime and justice | opinion/analysis Wednesday October 06, 2004 22:46 by Paul McAndrew ardhanishvara at hotmail dot com

The referendum stirred up racist feeling in Ireland, helpfully distracting people from what the corrupt politicicians were getting up to , channeling anger towards people who are vulnerable.

I don't think its a coincidence that since the referendum racist attacks have escalated in Cork. Over the past few weeks a man in Glasheen has been harrassed using vandalism, and a few days ago his car was set fire to outside his home.
At least one African shop has also been targeted, repeatedly graffitied with things like "burn out n....rs".
If a lot of peope bring flowers to that shop to show solidarity, the people running it might feel more welcome and less surrounded by lunatics. The sign above its door says "the Morning Star" although its now "the Five Boutique". Its opposite the Sin e, on Coburg St.
Of course its also crucial to challenge racist attitudes wherever we come across them, even though it means getting into arguments, and to try and also force the Gardai to do their job.We need to demonstrate on Patrick St, sometime soon, too.
Nasc, the Irish immigrant support centre in Cork has a campaigning group which welcomes Irish people and immigrants as members .Its phone number is (021) 4317411. Nasc is on Sharman Crawford St in the convent opposite the art colllege, (The street is between Finbarr's Cathedral and the dole office.)