Iyabode Animashaun, 64, who lives in Armfield Crescent, Mitcham, said: “It’s appalling. I find it offensive.” Recalling riots in the Westbourne Park area of London in the 1950s, in which signs were posted stating “No blacks, no dogs, no Irish”, the 64-year-old former council road sweeper said: “You can’t permeate that mentality. That mentality has to stop. We’re living in a multi-cultural society and it is a really bad attitude to have.”
An employee of the Asian-owned Mitcham News was unperturbed by the advert and declined to comment. But he did confirm the window advertisements earn the shop £1 for a one week display. Police confirmed such an advertisement could fall foul of legislation under the Public Order Act if its content causes harassment, alarm or distress and said they would follow-up on the report.
When contacted, the author of the advertisement laughed when it was put to him that language he used in the posting could be offensive to ethnic minorities. He said: “It is not racist. We want to live with other eastern European people and I don’t want to waste anybody’s time. If you don’t like it, don’t call me, it’s simple. I’ve seen many other ads like this so it’s normal.”
6 comments:
I thought that sort of thing was made illegal in the 1960's.
The irony of course is that the advert was placed by east europeans. No doubt they would be offended if they were refused any form of service because they weren't british.
This is SO illegal in the U.S.
Of course, housing discrimination still goes on, but it is never committed to print, since that is evidence.
And yet, according to a very recent BBC news report, when similar adverts are put up in London by Asians discriminating against white people not a word is to be heard in protest.
Don't you love the smell of double standards and hypocrisy in the morning?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18588612
Japan signed up for the non-discrimination thing too.. however this (albeit 2 year old) site shows plenty of signs of "Japanese only" signs which exclude those who're naturalised and with Japanese passports. http://www.debito.org/roguesgallery.html
I wonder if I could advertise "if you don't have a gecko, you can't live here!"
@Ratz, funnily enough I doubt there are any such laws regarding the ownership of geckos. :)
Would it be better if the owner posted 'Looking for Eastern European Tenants'?
Post a Comment