By
Niall Smyth
Dublin City North Branch, I.N.T.O.
Just two weeks ago my school partook in a fantastic educational experience in the form of a One World, a celebration of our schools cultural diversity. The week involved parents,
teachers, staff and pupils from a multitude of cultures and nationalities.
The school community gained much from the event and I believe that the immigrant
community have much to offer this country.Many of us have had similar experiences
throughout the country and we know first hand how those who have arrived here have
enriched our lives. The decision by Castleblaney College to leave the space on the stage set once occupied by 15 year old Ike Okolie prior to his deportation is a poignant illustration of the loss that that school felt at his departure and many of us would feel in similar circumstances. Schools should be safe and happy envments for school children. The intrusion by heavy handed immigration officials in various schools around the country has left many teachers rightfully angry about the situation. Despite the Miniter for Justice�s "u-turn", theinitial deportation of Olunkunle Eluhanla, a leaving Cert student of Palmerstown
Community College was scandal. We as a teachers union, should be taking a lead in condemning the inhumane treatment of people who come this country to seek a better life, only to be vilified by the same government, who have stood by while banks, such as AIB make extortionate profits and the top 39 richest in the country pay no tax
whatsoever.
In Athlone, a group "Communities Against Injustice" has been formed in response to the
deportation, last week, of two Nigerian women, Elizabeth Olunzi and Iyabo Nwanz,
both mothers, who were deported leaving children behind ranging in age from 11 to 17.
Already, there has been fantastic community support with over 4,000 signatures collected.
There is a need to support the ongoing campaigns for the return of others and an end to
these deportations. As such teachers should support the Saturday, April 2nd protest on O
Connell St., which is organised by Residents against Racism. We, as a union, need to stand firm in defending the rights of people, who come to Ireland, as many Irish have done before, to seek a better life. This week the TUI condemned the actions of the Minister for
"Justice" and I believe our union must take a similar clear position. We cannot sit idly by
while this situation continues. Immigrants have a valuable and positive contribution to
make to our society.