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Dear friends and colleagues,

I hope this email meets you in good health and good spirits. I am writing with wonderful news! 

This month, we have been celebrating the outcome of a landmark ruling which marks the end of wide anti-Traveller injunctions against “persons unknown”. In a David and Goliath challenge, we acted as joint interveners in the case together with our friends at London Gypsies and Travellers and the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups, and with legal representation from Garden Court Chambers and Community Law Partnership. 

The ruling has serious implications for the Policing Bill which is now at Committee stage and seeks to criminalise the nomadic way of life. We continue to work with allies and partners in challenging these unjust proposals.

Against this backdrop, we have been making preparations for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) in June. Through celebration, education and raising awareness, GRTHM helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society. If you would like to take part, order one of our participation packs now.

Warmest wishes, 
Sarah Mann

News
Landmark ruling puts an end to wide anti-Traveller injunctions
This month, together with our joint interveners, we celebrated the outcome of a landmark ruling which marks the end of wide anti-Traveller injunctions in England, against "persons unknown". Find out more.

Join us in celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) in June
The theme of GRTHM 2021 is #MakeSomeSpace. We've developed participation packs to support you to mark and celebrate GRTHM throughout June. Order your pack.

Removal of Traveller camps pledged in Tory Facebook campaigns
Read our response to a Guardian investigation which found that politicians using Gypsies and Travellers as political football in Facebook adverts before May polls. Read the article.
Publications
Out of site: Britain's nomadic people
Romany journalist Jake Bowers writes for Friends of the Earth about the impacts of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on Gypsies and Travellers. Read more

Moving for Change launch #ThereIsAnotherWay campaign
Moving for Change launched the first of a series of interviews with people speaking about how the Policing Bill will affect them. The first interview with Billy Welch focusses on how the proposals would impact on Appleby Fair. View here.

Travelling community gets its first chaplain: Move follows General Synod vote
Read the Diocese of Carlisle article on the news that Reverend Clive Hicks has a new role as the honorary chaplain for Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities. Find out more.  
Update from the APPG
APPG members have been busy focussing on the measures in the Police Bill. Members continue to challenge stigmatising language and racism experienced by Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.

Letters
Baroness Whitaker contacted Ofcom to further ask for progress into the investigation of 'Dispatches: The Truth About Traveller Crime'. View here.

Parliamentary Debates
Members joined the Public Bill Committee debate on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. View first sitting and second setting.

In the news
Vice-chair Andy Hammersmith MP and Violet Cannon, CEO at York Traveller's Trust spoke to Nihal Arthanayake on BBC Radio 5 Live about the Policing Bill. Listen here.

Members of the APPG condemned an article written in 'The Times' with the headline 'It's time we stopped pandering to Travellers'.
 
Friends Families and Travellers act as Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.
 Health and Wellbeing
Children, young people and families' experiences of chronic asthma
We have been working with The Association for Young People's Health in work spotlighting the experiences of young people with chronic asthma. Find out more.

Addressing inequalities in waiting lists for nomadic populations
We are working with NHS England to build better understanding of how NHS services are managing waiting lists for people travelling. We need your help:
  • If you have experience of NHS waiting lists while travelling, share these here.
  • If your organisation has information on this, respond to our call for evidence here
  • If you would like to attend a friendly event on this topic, sign up here.
Take me to:
> News
> Update from Parliament
> Update from the HWAlliance
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 Job Opportunity with the Traveller Movement
The Traveller Movement are looking for an experienced Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join their team. Closing date is Tuesday the 8th of June at 5pm. For information on how to apply, please visit their website here.
Update from our casework:

"This month, we have been working with West Sussex County Council and the University of Sussex on a project to broaden employment opportunities for young Gypsies and Travellers after leaving school. We have also been trying to understand the barriers to Higher Education experienced by Gypsies and Travellers. We have delivered 1 workshop and have another 2 to deliver."

Tommy Buck, Projects and Policy Officer
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