West Belfast gets its own passport

The West Against Racism Network (WARN) in Belfast staged a mock immigration checkpoint staffed by members of black and minority ethnic communities outside the Falls Road offices of Fáilte Feirste Thiar on Tuesday 3 August 3 to highlight racism in the North.

Sinn Féin MP Gerry Adams and residents of West Belfast were issued with new 'Republic of Conscience' passports, which charge the bearer with working to combat racism and to build a culturally inclusive society.

The Republic of Conscience passport emblem was designed by artist Robert Ballagh and contains eight different languages including Irish, Arabic, Chinese and the Tagalog language of the Philippines

WARN is a grassroots anti-racism campaign based in West Belfast since early 2004. Its members include minority ethnic communities, local community and voluntary organisations as well as political groupings and human rights campaigners.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Gerry Adams said the intent is to challenge racism and to genuinely promote an anti-racist culture in West Belfast.