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Do people have positive experiences of traveler's culture? Why has an 18-year pledge to update hate crimes legislation not been updated? And should the ethnicity of travelers be legally supported?
These are issues the Galway Traveler Movement (GTM) wants to explore in the coming months as part of new "bridge building initiatives" at local and national level.
GTM deputy coordinator Bridget Kelly said she was in contact with other nongovernmental organizations, including the Irish Traveler Movement, to lobby for the legal recognition of ethnicity status offered by taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2017.
The organization believes measures such as the September takeover by former Education Minister Richard Bruton to ensure that the culture and history of the traveler are recognized in the primary and secondary school curriculum should be followed by other departments to support ethnic status.
Symbolic
"Otherwise, it's just symbolic, as we saw in the presidential election debate," said Annie McDonagh, a member of the WGW East Side.
"Everyone seems surprised by the outcome, but we're not," said Mrs. McDonagh about the presidential election, which saw second-place presidential candidate Peter Casey. He caused controversy during the campaign with his comments on travelers, including his denial of the traveler's ethnicity.
But now we realize that ethnicity is only a sign, if there is no legislation and there is no support to support it
"Peter Casey brought to light what we have known for a long time, but no one believes us. That's why so many of us went out to vote for Michael D Higgins, and thank God he was elected, "she said, speaking at GTM's Galway office with her nephew Martin Ward and colleagues including Anne Ward and Leanne Ward.
"So President Higgins and the Government, including the Children's Minister, Katherine Zappone, have to take the lead and ensure that there is a hate crime law that is enforced and implemented and that protects all groups – not just Travelers, but people with disabilities, migrants, all minorities, "said Ms. McDonagh.
In 2000, then Justice Minister John O'Donoghue had promised a revision of the 1989 Prohibition of Incitement to Hate, and this is still ongoing.
Leanne Ward, who is 23, lives on the west side of Galway and works part-time at Dunnes stores. She cites several striking developments and reports over the past two years that should have foreshadowed her future.
"But now we realize that ethnicity is only a sign, if there is no legislation and there is no support to support it," Ward said. Several nights ago, she heard several young people her age refer to a nightclub fight as having been caused by "knackers."
We have families living near a garbage dump outside Galway in the last 20 years.
"I hear that sort of thing all the time, and all you can do is take it on the chin," she said. "And then you're going to vote and realize that 22 percent of the residents of Galway West voted for Peter Casey, and that's not a good feeling."
"Casey even insulted the Taoiseach about his ethnic status as an Indian," Ward said. "If Leo Varadkar was injured by this, maybe he will understand how we feel."
Carrickmines fire
"It's been three years since 10 people – five of them children – died in the Carrickmines fire south of Dublin, and after objections to emergency accommodation for the survivors, we knew where we were," Martin Ward added. "We have families living near a garbage dump outside Galway in the last 20 years."
It was after opening an exhibition on traveler culture at the National Museum of Ireland, Country Life, at Castlebar, Co Mayo in July that the president had announced his intention to rise again. The exhibition was a reminder of the strengths of traveler culture, Anne Ward said.
"There are good and bad in settled communities and travelers, but we have to talk to each other," McDonagh said.
"Bernard Lawrence, the young Mayo traveler who sang to the president at that Mayo exhibit, was invited to the Arias afterwards because he is the kind of president we have who represents all the people who recognize our culture," Ward said.
"And we can dwell on the negative or think about the positive and the resilience of the Traveler population."
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