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CAMPAIGN FOR
SOCIAL JUSTICE
45 Higher Bore St.
Bodmin
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CORNWALL COUNTY COUNCIL
ARGUES THAT IT CAN DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE CORNISH WITH
IMPUNITY
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SHOULD WE ACCEPT
SECOND CLASS STATUS
OR
DO WE TAKE STEPS
TO OVERCOME THIS INJUSTICE?
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ASSEMBLY
ROOM
HALL FOR
CORNWALL
TRURO
Friday 25th July
2003
at 7.30
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Cornwall County Council have asserted that, until such times as the Cornish bring a sucessful case under the two Race Relations Acts, they will continue to discriminate against the Cornish with impunity. Because this discrimination manifests itself in the delivery of educational services, a group of concerned parents and grandparents have been obligated into prosecuting the Council for breach of that Act. Once a Court is satisfied that the Cornish come under the protection of the Act, and issues a judicial declaration to that effect, the Council will be compelled to cease its disciminatory behaviour. This is why it is necessary to prosecute the Council. People who wish to support this legal action can make a simple one-off non-returnable donation [or via a monthly standing order] to be ploughed into paying legal fees. If I/we win and obtain costs from the council, this donation will be held in the legal fund until such times as another case comes up. Many have already demonstrated a higher level of commitment. This involves signing a witnessed contract [drawn up by my solicitor] that says the person will pay £500 immediately, then another two sums of £250 as and when the need arises. There is also an obligation to meet a maximum of £1000 of liability should I lose and be ordered to pay Councils costs. [unlikely]. If I win, and the Council are obliged to pay my costs, the contract states that parties will get their money back. The maximum potential liabilty is £2000 per person. Money in the account is spent on legal fees alone. Other costs are borne by supporters on an ad hoc basis. If you want to make a simple donation please make the cheque out to 'Cornish Campaign' and send it to Campaign Treasurer, County Councillor Alastair Quinnell, 21 Broomfield Drive, Bodmin. If you wish to discuss becoming a contracted supporter contact John Angarrack on: |
CORNWALL COUNTY COUNCILUNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CORNISH CHILDRENNOTICE OF MEETINGAlthough Cornwall LEA were under an obligation to reflect regional demography in the recent schools census, and it is unlawful to treat one ethnic group less favourably than another, of all the Census 2001 'White British' ethnic groups, only Cornish children were prevented from recording their ethnicity.Parents have been investigating the circumstances surrounding this decision. The Department for Education and Skills told us that, "Cornwall LEA informed us that they did not wish to add a category of Cornish to our list". When asked, Cornwall LEA initially stated that giving Cornish pupils the freedom to register their ethnicity would be an "irrelevant waste of money serving no practical purpose", and that the end result would not be "helpful or healthy".Over the past few months parents, councillors, the Local Government Ombudsman, Paul Tyler MP and our solicitor have all asked detailed questions, to which the Council are refusing to supply answers.Indeed, instead of answering our questions, apologising and offering to right the wrong, the Council have asserted that they can discriminate against the Cornish with impunity because the Cornish are not protected by the Race Relations Act 1976. This mirrors a similar Home Office argument used in 2000 to deprive the Cornish of cultural and educational rights due under the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The time has come to challenge this discriminatory theory.In order to set the precedent for legal recognition we must test the attitude of the Courts to the Cornish. To this end it is an absolute requirement that Cornwall County Council be prosecuted for breach of the Race Relations Act 1976 [as amended].The "Cornish Campaign" thanks those individuals who have pledged their support in a venture which will provide Cornish children with a significant victory on which to build for the future. Yet more needs to be done.
If successful, this legal action will bring positive changes that benefit not just our children, but all of us. If you feel that a burden that benefits the many should rest on the shoulders of a few then so be it. However, if you feel a sense of obligation, and would like to be part of `Cornish history in the making`, may I suggest you attend an important meeting at the Hall for Cornwall, Truro, on Friday 25th July 2003 at 7.30pm.John AngarrackParent and co-ordinatorThe Cornish Campaign45 Higher Bore StreetBodmin PL31 1JSRSVP632 recipientsPlease pass this mail on to others.
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