DEMAND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY - PUBLIC MEETING 5TH OCTOBER 2009 IN THE GASYARD CENTRE

DEMAND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY PUBLIC MEETING 5TH OCTOBER 2009 IN THE GASYARD CENTRE

The Republican Network for Unity will this Saturday be highlighting the scourge of drugs, anti social behaviour and underage drinking in the Bogside and Brandywell areas. On Saturday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, RNU plans to distribute information and to stand in solidarity with people from the area in the face of increased anti social behaviour which has been increasingly prevalent in the past number of months.

Speaking on the issue Tony Taylor, National Treasurer said “In spite of political changes in recent years, many working class communities across Derry have witnessed an increase in under aged drinking and drug abuse (both illegal and prescription), which has manifested itself in anti social and criminal behaviour. Such a situation cannot be allowed to persist as such anti social and criminal activity acts only to demoralise and destroy once proud and strongly bound communities”.

Mr. Taylor went on to say, “As a result, the RNU has organised a public meeting to be held on 5th October 2009 in the Gasyard to discuss issues arising from anti community behaviour and to form strategies to tackle it.

Indeed, it is fitting that this meeting is being held on October 5th as many people within our community are having their civil rights infringed upon by anti social elements from within their neighbourhoods.”

“In the absence of acceptable policing arrangements and as a complex problem afflicting our community, it stands to reason that solutions must come from within our community. We therefore urge all residents from the area to attend, young and old, to participate and pool ideas to ensure that our area is safer for everyone.”

Finally, Tony Taylor stated “It is the intention of RNU to promote public meetings on the issues identified in other areas of Derry so that we can assist to empower the working class people of Derry to reclaim their streets and to rebuild proud and safe neighbourhoods.”