Yesterday, Wednesday 8th June , members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma launched an Early Day Motion bringing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month to the attention of Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.
An Early Day Motion is a proposal submitted by an MP or a group of MPs to request a debate on a particular issue in the House of Commons.
The Early Day Motion, which can be read in full below, asks that the Government recognises the diversity of lived experiences among Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, while celebrating the rich cultures and histories of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Speaking on the Early Day Motion, Mary K Foy MP, Co-chair to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma said:
“As an APPG we believe that it is important that alongside our work to reduce the inequalities and prejudice that harm Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, we should also look to celebrate the valuable contributions that these groups make to our society. This Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, I am pleased to join with MPs from across the House in recognising that these communities not only form an important part of our country’s history, but that their cultures will also always be part of our society.”
Read the Early Day Motion below:
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month 2022
That this House notes that during the month of June 2022 it is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month; notes that a key theme in 2022 is What Makes a Home?; recognises that what makes a home can mean different things to different peoples and cultures, with homes to be found on the roads and waterways, in fairgrounds, and within communities; believes that the rich culture and history of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities is something that must be both celebrated and protected; and encourages everyone to positively engage with the communities.
Co signatories of the Early Day Motion include:
Apsana Begum
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Beth Winter
Caroline Lucas
Cat Smith
Claudia Webbe
Deidre Brock
Diane Abbott
Ian Byrne
Ian Lavery
Ian Mearns
Jeremy Corbyn
John McDonnell
Kate Green
Kate Osborne
Kim Johnson
Kirsten Oswald
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Martin Docherty-Hughes
Mick Whitley
Nadia Whittome
Rachel Maskell
Rebecca Long-Bailey
Richard Burgon
Tahir Ali
Zarah Sultana
Notes for the Editor
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
Relevant Resources
‘What Makes A Home’ Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month participation pack. Download here.
