Press Releases Archive

21st April 2010

Archie Downie OBE JP - Passionate Race Equality Campaigner passes away

Mr Archie Downie OBE JP sadly passed away on Wednesday 21st April 2010. This is a great loss to his son Milton. Our thoughts and prayers are with Milton and we pray that he bears his loss with patience and strength.

Archie Downie will be greatly missed by many from all walks of life in Greater Manchester, especially Manchester Council for Community Relations (MCCR). Archie Downie was a member of MCCR’s Executive Committee since its formation in 1966. He served as its Chair for two terms. Archie was instrumental in taking MCCR forward through difficult times over 40 years.

Archie Downie played a crucial role during the riots of 1981 by facilitating the engagement of the youth of Moss Side with the Home Secretary William Whitelaw.

On a lighter note, Mr Downie was declared best dressed man in Manchester some 10 years ago. He was involved in many community initiatives and made his mark developing good community relations between diverse communities in Manchester. There is a lot to celebrate because Archie touched countless people and his work helped improve many people’s quality of life.

The Chair of MCCR Mr Mike Hendrickson said, “Archie Downie always energised MCCR’s meetings bringing his experience and wisdom to discussions. It will leave a big gap which will perhaps never be filled.”

The Chief Executive of MCCR Mr Khan Moghal said, “He contributed to debate with charm and finesse mixed with firmness of purpose. We will greatly miss him.”

ends

6th October 2009

Manchester communities say NO to extremism

Manchester Council for Community Relations (MCCR) is joining hands with the Hope, not Hate campaign in condemning extremism which is being brought to our city by EDL (English Defence League) who are congregating in Manchester on Saturday 10th October 2009.

This action by EDL is designed to create divisions within our communities. The communities are standing firmly together with the civic and faith leaders to maintain the community cohesion built up by generations in Manchester.

The Chief Executive of Manchester Council for Community Relations(MCCR) Khan Moghal said, "The previous actions by EDL have resulted in unsavoury scenes. We are asking the people of Manchester not to be provoked by the EDL and their cohorts, and go about their usual activities. We also urge community activists not to be drawn into confrontation with the EDL and to avoid the demonstration. All the diverse communities have a stake in our city, and they will not tolerate any-one attempting to violate this. We will continue to strengthen the bonds between all communities and defeat extremists whether political-minded or faith-based.”

Members of communities will congregate for a vigil on Friday 9th October 2009 at Manchester Cathedral in celebration of diversity and tolerance in Manchester.

ends

5th October 2009

Grayling is off-side on Moss Side

Further to our News Release on 25th August 2009, MCCR invited Chris Grayling to visit Manchester when we would organise a day’s interaction with local communities of Moss Side. Having initially accepted our offer, sadly he has not committed himself to local interaction, even though he is in Manchester at the Conservative Party Conference.

ends

25th August 2009

Grayling is off-side on Moss Side

The Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling’s witnessing urban warfare in Moss Side could not be farther from the truth. He has condemned this vibrant community based on his one-stop visit in June. He has clearly not met the local community to gauge any meaningful understanding of Moss Side, its people, its businesses and its community organisations.

The Chief Executive of Manchester Council for Community Relations (MCCR) Khan Moghal said, "It seems that Mr Grayling made no attempt to link with local people. If he had done that, he would have witnessed the community harmony and the partnership that has developed between the communities and the Police and the Council in reducing crime and disorder. Clearly, the Shadow Home Secretary made no attempt to learn about Moss Side before jumping to judgements. He has been found off-side in Moss Side.”

Moss Side is a thriving community due to continuous hard work being done by the various communities living in this neighbourhood with good substantial support from the Police and the Council. People are united in tackling challenges and taking Moss Side into the future with a vision shared by every-one.

MCCR is located in Moss Side. Khan Moghal further said, “Being located in Moss Side for the last 6 years has given us the strength from the local communities to think big for the local area. There have been numerous initiatives by the authorities to enhance the quality of life of Moss Side residents.”

MCCR feels it is rather unfortunate that Mr Grayling’s negative views have come at the same time as Sarah Ferguson’s negative depiction of Wythenshawe. The reality is different, the local media understands this. We only wish the national media based in London would come up to Manchester, spend some time here and understand the people and places of Manchester. They will be pleasantly surprised.

ends

3rd March 2009

Big Lottery Fund supports BME Network for Greater Manchester

The establishment of a BME Network for Greater Manchester will now become a reality with support from The Big Lottery Fund through the BASIS-2 Programme. The Chief Executive of Manchester Council for Community Relations (MCCR) Khan Moghal said, “MCCR is pleased to have been awarded a 3-year grant to build an effective and sustainable BME Network for Greater Manchester. This will be delivered by working with its prime partner the Manchester BME Network that will act as the delivery body for this project. I acknowledge and appreciate the support given to us by many organisations and individuals.”

The Chair of Manchester BME Network Atiha Chaudry said, “We are extremely delighted to have this support from the Big Lottery Fund to enable us to provide infrastructure support to BME communities in Greater Manchester. This is a much needed opportunity to build a viable BME Network across Greater Manchester over a 3-year period. We will now begin the hard working through engagement with our partners and supporters.”

The Project will provide the following activities:

• Supporting the development of networks and partnerships between infrastructure providers in each of the 10 local authority areas. The work will be prioritised according to the needs of each area and will focus on one or two areas at a time.
• Developing support for new and emerging communities to become more involved and benefit from the developing infrastructure locally and sub-regionally. This work will be prioritised according to the needs of each area and will focus on one or two areas at a time.
• Delivering a programme of tailored infrastructure support services, including training, networking events and an annual conference, involving the project partners, to address identified priorities and gaps.
• Developing a representative, effective and efficient Greater Manchester BME Network to ensure a strong voice in decision-making in the emerging city-region.

ends

27 January 2009

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The events in Gaza have developed very rapidly. When the conflict started we issued a press release calling for an immediate ceasefire. Our stance developed as the conflict gained momentum with great loss of life.

We have written to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown asking him to work with other Governments and the UN to address the developing humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip where many women and children have been killed, entire neighbourhoods destroyed and thousands of people made homeless. We have also expressed our concern at the refusal of BBC (funded by the British people through the TV licence fee) to televise and broadcast the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) Appeal for Gaza fundraising.

ends

27 November 2008

Mumbai Terrorist Attacks Condemned

We condemn most strongly the terrorist attacks at the Taj Palace, Oberoi Hotels and the Jewish Centre in Mumbai. This destruction and carnage resulting in loss of life is an act against all humanity.

The Chair of MCCR Mike Hendrickson said, “We stand with the people of Mumbai at this traumatic time. We express our condolences to those who have lost their loved ones, and our thoughts are with the relatives and friends of those affected by this barbaric act.”

The communities of Manchester are also affected as they have many friends and relatives in India.

The Chief Executive Nasrullah Khan Moghal said, “We are shocked at the carnage against innocent people, many of who were just getting ready for dinner. Such acts of hatred and malice will not dent our resolve to support the progressive forces in combating extremism and terrorism. We also pay tribute to the excellent work being carried out by the security and emergency services in dealing with the aftermath of the bombings.”

ends

Notes to editors:

1. MCCR (Manchester Council for Community Relations) works towards the elimination of racial discrimination and promotion of Racial Equality, Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Community Cohesion in the Manchester City Region.
2. Its core activities are supported by Manchester City Council.
3. MCCR’s webpage www.mccr.org.uk