New Roma group starts in Czech Republic: Roma, aven jekhetane (Roma Come Together)

The Roma, aven jekhetane (RaJ) group has issued the following press release:

The Roma, aven jekhetane (RaJ) group was founded at the instigation of dissatisfied Roma people from all corners of the Czech Republic. The impetus? Nový Bydžov, where on 14 February 2011 almost 50 mayors of towns and villages held a meeting about us – without us. The RaJ group has quickly begun to fill up and we have established a petition, a clear move to show we are not indifferent to life in the Czech Republic.

Who are we and what do we want? We are ordinary people. We want to strive for a better standard of living and position for Roma people in this country. During the past 22 years absolutely nothing essential has taken place here in this regard – on the contrary, we Roma are in such a bad situation it will be very difficult for us to get out of it. Anti-Gypsyism, generalizations, racism and xenophobia predominate here.

It’s time to start seriously considering our future. What will become of us in a few years – in five years, in 10?! Let’s not take the path of our self-appointed “professional Roma” – they just cut a big piece of the pie for themselves, and we have them to thank for where we are today. We also do not want to be replaced by people from the majority society who pretend to understand our problem. We ourselves must want this, it must come from us ourselves, this is the only way we will make even a little progress.

The members of our RaJ group are informed of our activities and can contribute their own voice to our values. Their voice is very important. Who is paying us? No one! We are mutually sponsoring one another.

Members of the board:Mr M. Kováč (Litvínov), Mr O. Giňa Jr. ( Rokycany), Ms A. Burianská (Ostrava), Ms I. Bílková (Liberec), Mr L. Bílý (Karlovy Vary)