Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:50:52 +0100 To: united@antenna.nl From: united@antenna.nl (UNITED) Subject: media release Action Week --========================_14176770==_ Herewith we send you a MEDIA RELEASE of UNITED for Intercultural Action on the Europe-wide Action Week Against Racism With compliments, Saskia Daru. --========================_14176770==_ UNITED for Intercultural Action European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees PB 413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, phone +31-20-6834778, fax +31-20-6834582 e-mail united@antenna.nl ****************************************************************************** M E D I A R E L E A S E 20/03/96 (for section international news) ****************************************************************************** Europe-Wide Action Week Against Racism 16-24 March MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN AMSTERDAM AND BRUSSELS Around 21 March the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination thousands stand up against racism. National mass demonstrations are organised in Amsterdam (NL) on 23 March and Brussels (B) on 24 March. Around Europe hundreds of manifestations are being organised to commemorate this day. The Amsterdam demonstration is organised by Nederland Bekent Kleur and focuses on the new laws that make daily life more and more difficult for illegal immigrants in the Netherlands. More than 100 organisations demand 'No more racism and fascism. Equal rights now' in the Brussels demonstration, organised by Objektief 479.917. UNITED for Intercultural Action, the European network against racism, co-ordinates the fourth Europe-wide Action Week Against Racism from 16-24 March 1996. In February organisations from 40 European countries met during UNITED's conference in Prague. They confirmed to organise and mobilise for the Week using the slogan 'One Race - Human Race'. Many other organisations throughout Europe have already joined and sent information on their actions. More information will be collected permanently. UNITED, as well as co-ordinating the activities, will act as an information point, and has distributed 30,000 posters for the campaign. >From 16 to 24 March hundreds of activities are taking place around Europe: In Strasbourg the 'European Youth Campaign against Racism, Anti-Semitism, Xenophobia and Intolerance' and the International Federation of Journalists will focus their attention on the role of the media in the struggle against racism. In Wroclaw (PL) and Madrid (E) the walls of the city will be cleaned of racist slogans. In Stockholm (S) and in Athens (GR) film festivals are being organised. In St. Petersburg (RUS) and Lisbon (P) meetings on asylum and refugees are organised. In Kiev (UA), Vienna (A) and Thueringen (D) conferences are being held on questions around identity and the causes of racism. In France and Greece special projects are done on high schools. During this Europe-Wide Action Week Against Racism it is shown that there is still a majority of the people in Europe who oppose racial discrimination. The UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was declared in October 26th 1966 by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a reaction to the murder of 70 demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960. ________________________end media release________________________ The complete list of activities (country by country) and all additional information can be obtained from UNITED. Contact Saskia Daru at UNITED for further information UNITED for Intercultural Action is with 370 organisations from 41 European countries the biggest European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees. --========================_14176770==_ ********************************************************* UNITED for Intercultural Action European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees Postbus 413 NL-1000 AK Amsterdam The Netherlands tel.no. +31-20-6834778 fax no. +31-20-6834582 e-mail united@antenna.nl ******************************************************** Europe-wide Action Week Against Racism 16-24 March 1996 O N E R A C E -- H U M A N R A C E Hundreds of actions in more than thirty countries... ******************************************************** --========================_14176770==_--