 |
Racism forces Somalis off Hillfields estate
Bristol News story 2007
Racism forces Somalis off estate - A dozen Somali families are being moved out of a troubled estate in Bristol because of racist attacks.
"I don't understand why they hate us - why are they doing this to us?
"I really don't understand and I cannot believe a human can do this to another human,"
Somalis attacked in city suburb
Somali women living in Bristol are increasingly being targeted in racist attacks, say support groups. A number of women have been injured by gangs throwing stones. Support Against Racist Incidents said the Hillfields area was of particular concern.
Kayse Mohammed, from the Somali Voice newspaper, said: "We're are calling on the authorities to do something before it is too late. It is unacceptable."
There are 20,000 Somalis living in Bristol, up from 4,000 five years ago.
On Wednesday morning a pregnant Somali woman in the Hillfields area of the city was attacked with stones then beaten in front of her two-year-old daughter.
The woman who does not want to be identified, said she was putting her daughter in her car seat when she heard a noise.
Her attacker shouted at her then threw rocks at her from a nearby garden
She tried to defend herself with an umbrella but the attacker took it from her and used it to beat her
"It destroyed my feeling of being safe anyway. I think there should be more things done and the community should be aware of what's happening to us.
"I don't understand why they hate us - why are they doing this to us?
"I really don't understand and I cannot believe a human can do this to another human," she said
Nasty incident
Avon and Somerset Police said it was taking the assaults "very seriously".
Detective Chief Inspector David McCallum is taking personal charge of this latest case.
"This particular incident was a particularly distasteful one in that a pregnant woman with a child was targeted.
"Fortunately she wasn't seriously injured but nevertheless she would have been particularly traumatised by what was a very nasty incident."
Batook Pandya, director of Support Against Racist Incidents (Sari) said it needed to work with all the communities in Bristol to make women feel safe.
He said Sari's caseload with the Somali community had increased tremendously.
"Women are telling us they are absolutely frightened even to go outside their home to drop their children at school
"Some say they want to leave the city and go away because it is not a safe place to be in," he said
Bristol City Council said it was determined to tackle racism.
Councillor Peter Hammond, said: "If people have real grievances or imagined grievances against individuals or other parts of the community they should not be doing this type of action which is absolutely appalling and disgusting.
MOVE US AWAY FROM RACE HATE
2007 - A dozen Somali families are being moved out of a troubled estate in Bristol because of racist attacks. The Hillfields ward covers Hillfields and part of Speedwell. The ward is policed by the Bristol East Neighbourhood Policing Team North. The city council said a handful of residents on the Hillfields estate, in the east of the city, have caused abuse, violence and harassment. Incidents have included scarves being pulled off and verbal abuse.
The council added that anti-racism groups were working in the area and it was hoped the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Nura Aabe, from the Bristol Somali Women's Group, said: "We feel very lonely and isolated and the fact that you have to stay inside to be safe. It's really difficult because at the end of the day you suffer alone and nobody else knows what you go through on a daily basis."
The authorities say the causes of the hatred are complex, but that housing is seen as one divisive issue.
Alan Jones, from the Hillfields Area Housing Committee, said: "The parents are saying, 'oh look, they're getting all the houses'. The children are hearing this and they're reacting on what their parents are saying within the home. If we got rid of the housing problem, that would go a long way."
05 October 2007
A Dozen Somali families have asked the city council to move them from a housing estate because of racist attacks.Council officials are working to find the families from Hillfields another place together.
It comes after the group from the estate on the edge of Fishponds say they have had enough of abuse, violence and harassment said to be mainly carried out by white teenagers.
Incidents reported in the Evening Post have included firebombings, Somali women having their headscarves torn off and children being attacked in school playgrounds.
The council said it was working hard to resolve issues in the area.
The Evening Post spoke to number of white people on Thicket Avenue, Hillfields, this morning.
Mother-of-two Paula Smart, 45, claimed the council put Somali families in vacant council properties ahead of those who had been on the housing list for years.
She said: "Every house that becomes empty is almost always given to a Somali family.
"I've got a friend who has three children living in a one-bedroom council flat. She's been waiting for a new property for months but can only watch as more Somali's move in around her. How is that right?
"I've got nothing against Somalis and believe the families of the white teenagers causing this trouble should take more responsibility for their kids, but the council can't say they haven't had a role in creating this problem."
A 75-year-old woman, who asked not to be named, has lived in Hillfields for 54 years. She said: "I've been waiting for the council to put a shower in my house for years. I'm still waiting and will do for as long as they concentrate on housing Somalis and not looking after everyone who live here."
But one Somali man, 44, who refused to give his name, said: "Our house is regularly stoned. My children are scared to leave the house and my wife is attacked just going to the shops. We shouldn't have to live like this. No has the right to treat us in this way."
Nura Aabe, of the Somali Women's Group, said: "You walk on the street and people are spitting on you, they are pouring urine over your head, they take off your hijab. Your cars are getting smashed, they actually break into your houses at night - all sorts of horrible things that can happen to people."
Alan Jones, of the Hillfields Area Housing Committee, said: "The parents are saying 'oh look, they are getting all the houses', and children are hearing this and they are reacting on what their parents are saying within the home.
"So if we get rid of these problems, and I know it's a terrific problem - you can't just appear with houses. But if we got rid of the housing problem that would go a long way."
Bristol City Council spokesman Pete Wood said: "A total of 12 families have been given special case status after experiencing problems and have requested a move.
"We're working with them to do that but it's not an overnight thing and we are looking for suitable accommodation."
Mr Wood said: "We've been working in partnership with police and Support Against Racist Incidents. We've attempted to prosecute the people who've caused problems where necessary and done work to rebuild community relations."
Please feel free to add your own comments to the Guestbook or Forum
Memories of Bristol over the past 100 years including 3000 photographs on-line
This non commercial 'hobby' site, has been evolving and expanding on line since 2001 and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only.
