PRESS RELEASE: NIKKI SINCLAIRE MEP PAYS TRIBUTE TO MERIDEN PROTEST GROUP
January 24th
2013
Nikki Sinclaire MEP has
spoken of praise and admiration for protest group as they mark their 1000 day
of protest.
Meriden RAID (residents
against inappropriate development) have held a non-stop vigil at their site on
Eaves Green Lane in protest at an illegal traveller site in Meriden.
Nikki Sinclaire said,
“The West Midlands is made up of a 5th of Greenbelt land and it is
only right that people protect this. Human rights and the circular of 2006,
created by New Labour and John Prescott, has given rise to special rights for
travellers to develop on Greenbelt land, something that means they are given
rights above those of a normal citizen.
These special rights
have brought misery to the lives of the residents in the area.
I am so proud and privileged to be involved
with this Meriden RAID group. This is Middle England standing up for itself.
The people involved in the RAID protest camp have restored my faith in grass
root politics and activism. When ordinary people speak, then politicians should
listen. Over the time I have
spent with this group, I have come to regard them as friends. I will continue
the fight alongside them – they have not come this far for nothing”.
Despite record snowfalls
& floods Meriden green belt protesters will have maintained their nonstop
vigil to protest against an illegal traveller site for 1000 days on Thursday
24th of Jan 2013
Despite appalling conditions the protesters many in their 60s, 70's & 80's have toughed it out keeping warm under a thin sheet of plastic awning, with mugs of steaming tea and a wood burning brazier
Said Chairman of the protest Group RAID (Residents Against Inappropriate Development) Mr McGrath said 'Dale Farm showed us that we were in for long struggle but our resolve is strong. Some of our supporters have fought for their country and are now fighting for the countryside. We will not be bulldozed into submission & will continue our fight until the green belt is restored'
Gypsies moved 8 families in 17 caravans onto green belt land without planning permission in April 2010 causing uproar using bulldozers to excavate land illegally and fell trees. Since then the travellers have lost all of their bids for approval in fiercely contested battles with locals & the Council.
Despite signing a High Court backed agreement to leave the site by March 31st 2013 the travellers have launched 'Dale Farm style' legal aided funded bids to undo the agreement and remain on site
Mr McGrath said that although RAID support the need for more traveller accommodation it cannot be achieved through 'wild west style land grabs at hugely inappropriate locations'
Despite appalling conditions the protesters many in their 60s, 70's & 80's have toughed it out keeping warm under a thin sheet of plastic awning, with mugs of steaming tea and a wood burning brazier
Said Chairman of the protest Group RAID (Residents Against Inappropriate Development) Mr McGrath said 'Dale Farm showed us that we were in for long struggle but our resolve is strong. Some of our supporters have fought for their country and are now fighting for the countryside. We will not be bulldozed into submission & will continue our fight until the green belt is restored'
Gypsies moved 8 families in 17 caravans onto green belt land without planning permission in April 2010 causing uproar using bulldozers to excavate land illegally and fell trees. Since then the travellers have lost all of their bids for approval in fiercely contested battles with locals & the Council.
Despite signing a High Court backed agreement to leave the site by March 31st 2013 the travellers have launched 'Dale Farm style' legal aided funded bids to undo the agreement and remain on site
Mr McGrath said that although RAID support the need for more traveller accommodation it cannot be achieved through 'wild west style land grabs at hugely inappropriate locations'
RAID members have
themselves faced prosecution and imprisonment for their illegal camp at a
builders yard in Eaves Green Lane Meriden but said that 'there should be one
rule for everyone. We go when they go'
