British Police Clash With ‘Travelers’ in Eviction

[Scurrilous]

Source: NYTimes

<snip>

"After a long and bitter legal battle that has tested Britain’s reputation for tolerance, the authorities began clearing an encampment east of London on Wednesday, two days after the Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that occupation by its owners — so-called travelers — was unlawful.

Supporters of the 400 residents hurled bricks and debris as some 50 riot police officers pushed through makeshift barricades at the site, Dale Farm, near the town of Basildon in Essex County, making at least seven arrests and using an electric stun gun to subdue a protester. The authorities had already cut electricity supplies to the site

Basildon authorities have been trying to clear the site for a decade, arguing that the 49 plots on the six-acre Dale Farm are located in a so-called green belt that is supposed to be kept as open countryside and is subject to strict zoning laws.

The evictions were the lastest chapter of what has become a test case to define the status of the travelers, who have lived across Britain as itinerants and have begun seeking to claim residential rights. Many of those who have been living in Dale Farm speak with Irish accents and are descendants of itinerants who arrived in England a half century ago and have traveled around Essex County since."

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/20/world/europe/british-authorities-evict-travelers.html

[MrNJ]

1. "Britain’s reputation for tolerance"

Was that meant as sarcasm or am I missing something?

I've heard of Dutch reputation for tolerance. But Britain?

[Boudica the Lyoness]

2. We are extremely tolerant.

Look at our races, fashions, religions, music, art, etc. Biracial and/or gay relationships have been accepted a lot longer in Britain than in the US. Consider our compassion to assist the less fortunate...even tolerating the so called 'lazy' by housing and feeding them. Many people would say Britain is actually too tolerant.

Lest we not forget that Britain abolished slavery long before the United States.

[Seedersandleechers]

3. Having lived in Britain-

I agree that Britain is extremely tolerant tho not perfect. I don't know where you would go to find that.

[Nye Bevan]

5. Not to mention that 2 out of the 3 major party leaders are atheist.

And nobody cares. That's a pretty stark contrast to the US.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Who arrived in England a half century ago

and now claim an ethnic bloodline. They're Irish for Christ sake. They have no more rights than anyone else anywhere in the UK buying land classed as Green Belt - there are restrictions on living on it. Some have lived there , on the land for which they do have the right to reside, for 20 years - so much for travelers.