Police investigating racism against former refugee actors

Monday 30 January 2017

Police are investigating alleged incidents of racism, after some islanders posted offensive comments on Facebook about a group of former asylum seekers appearing in a play promoting compassion towards refugees.

Founder of the ‘Jersey Cares; Refugee Aid Group’ (JCRAG) and De La Salle teacher Bram Wanrooij, had posted on Facebook to welcome the former refugee actors – Wassim Dalal from Syria, Zana Ali from Iraq and Ali Avut from Turkey, who have all been granted asylum in the Netherlands – taking part in Love Theatre’s ‘HOME’ this Tuesday and Wednesday.

But this was screenshotted by Mark Proudfoot, who migrated to Jersey from Switzerland in 2015, and posted to ‘Politics Jersey – with Free Speech’ and ‘The Real Rock – Putting Jersey First’ – a Facebook group that describes itself as “protecting this beautiful island and all it stands from those who would seek to destroy its special character.”

“The Dutch activist Wanrooij who was involved in the “car boot” illegal immigrant’s successful asylum claim, has “friends” visiting from Syria and Iraq,” he captioned the image.

Pictured: The post made on Facebook by Mark Proudfoot. (Screenshot: Facebook/Bailiwick Express)

Multiple group members subsequently took to the post to criticise the trio in terms Mr Wanrooij described as “appalling.”

Many suggested that the group posed a security threat - “Time to up security at our house,” and “What’s the saying, “lock up your daughters”?”

Meanwhile, others referenced racial stereotypes (“Look on the brightside , [sic] you could have some new kebab shops opening soon.”), and suggested that the group were illegal economic migrants: ““The question is, did they arrive by plane or in the back of someones [sic] car boot ?”

In one extreme instance, there was a suggestion that they be killed: “Shoot them job done!”

In an interview with Express, Mr Wanrooij said that racial tensions had been boiling on social media for a while, but that, “this weekend crossed the line even further.”

Pictured: The former Calais 'Jungle', the home of more than 6,000 refugees to which JCRAG had travelled to offer support.

"[JCRAG has] had loads of support when we appealed for different aid items and the Island’s been really generous in supporting our efforts, but there’s been a small minority really taking a hard line towards it – flaring up into racism occasionally... It’s an appalling response to people who have done nothing wrong or done nothing to deserve that treatment.”

Reform Jersey politicians Deputy Sam Mézec and Deputy Montfort Tadier subsequently took to Facebook to denounce the behaviour.

Referencing Holocaust Memorial Day last Friday, Deputy Tadier urged islanders to “stand up to racism and call out bigotry.”

Deputy Murray Norton also condemned the conduct, writing on Twitter: “In a world of worrying Trump Exec Orders, I despair at some local ignorance and prejudice shown within these FB comments.”

Picture: Deputy Murray Norton, who condemned the behaviour on Twitter, had previously spoken out against anti-refugee sentiments.

But Mr Proudfoot defended his posting, stating: “I think people are concerned and some are scared… They have seen what has happened in Europe and don’t want the same to happen here.”

In a separate comment, he added: “If you want to see real bigotry, look no further than the comments in this post. It seems having an opinion is fine as long as you agree with it.”

Mr Wanrooij, who was also subject to personal attacks, has since reported the comments to the Police, who say that they are looking into the issue.

They declined to comment while investigations are ongoing, but maintained that islanders should not hesitate to contact them over any potential concerns about racism or hate speech on social media.

The news comes following comments from the Police last year that hate crime is reported every week in Jersey.

Theatre production 'HOME' aims to combat such attitudes through education, Mr Wanrooij told Express. “A lot of it is based on perception rather than actual fact… so our aim is focusing on education, and bringing different voices to the Island. This play is part of that.”

 “Hopefully we can change a few people’s minds."

Tickets for the play, which will show at the Arts Centre at 19:00 tomorrow and Wednesday, can be purchased here.