Racism Report 2003 - Zara

Racism Report 2003 Cases: Public Space Page 15intentions in the slogan. (Salzburger Nachrichten, 22 January 2003: ‚Lozinsek answered that the poster had no racistintention, „Drug dealers aren‘t a race in themselves.“ Why was the colour black chosen? „There you have to ask theadvertising agency. Probably so that it stands out against the colourful posters of the others.“) In addition, ZARA wasinformed in writing by the Grazer Verkehrsbetriebe (Graz Public Transport Company) that in future they will abstainfrom putting up such posters in the area of bus and tram stops and in the vehicles.S. reported to ZARA an incident at the Riegler Masked Ball in Frankenburg, district Vöcklabruck, onMr.Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit7 February 2003. Besides various more or less originally dressed groups Mr. S. saw a group of several people clearlydressed as members of the Ku-Klux-Klan in white robes and masks. A wooden cross about 3m high with ‚KUKLUXKLAN‘written on it and a full-sized wooden gallows with the same writing were part of the accessories. The highlight wasthe putting up of the cross and the gallows including the appearance of a ‚victim‘ who was easily recognisable asan Afro-American. After Mr. S. had complained about the performance on various websites including Indymedia.organd the event promoter‘s website, he did not only receive comments in agreement with his view. ZARA examinedthe photographs on the Internet of the well-documented procession at the masked ball and sent out a press releaseabout it.42R. sent ZARA a racist leaflet from the FPÖMr.Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit(Lower Austrian election campaign, see facsimile) whichwas sent out to all households in the district of WienerNeustadt in the 13th calendar week.43M. complained about the figures set up inMr.Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeitthe Vienna Lugner City (a shopping mall) in the MausiMarket there. They were about four caricature-like statueswhich show the typical American ‚Negro‘ as a servant oran entertainer (musician). Since many Viennese of Africanorigin live in the area of the Lugner City, ZARA sent a letterto the management of the shopping mall requestingthat these tasteless figures be removed. No answer wasreceived.ZARA counsellor gave a presentation of ZARA‘sAZivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeitcounselling services at the clearing centre of the Mödlingdeaconry. Young asylum seekers (primarily from Africa)told her about their mostly very negative experiences inAustria. They are confronted with massive prejudices andblatant rejection in public space: abuse, police checkswithout any reason, expressions of prejudice etc. Severalof the young people described how surprised they werewhen they came to Austria because the idea of ‚African =drugs‘ is predominant here. Personally they had not beenin contact with drugs, especially because many of them come from country areas. The ZARA counsellor asked if theywere happy in Austria. One young man said that he was disappointed because he did not see many opportunities forhim. Another said that he was very sad staying alone in his room.4445L. is originally from Nigeria. In August 2003 he was threatened by skinheads on the street in ViennaMr.Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit(near the Thaliastrasse underground station). At a sausage stand the skinheads called him and two other Africans‚Sambo‘. Mr. L.‘s two companions became very angry. Mr. L. warned them not to make trouble and told them notto begin an argument. The skinheads said to Mr. L., ‚Why are you African in Austria, go to Africa, stay in Caritas!‘(Translator‘s note: said in English, Caritas is an Austrian charity organisation.) They came very close to him, becamemore and more aggressive and their dog bit Mr. L. on a toe.When the police finally arrived, the two other Africans left very quickly. The policemen took Mr. L.‘s particularsand those of a witness but not those of the aggressors. Mr. L. told the ZARA counsellor that his toe was still painful.She recommended him to go to a doctor where he was eventually treated. Neither he himself, nor the witness, gotin touch with ZARA again about the incident.46K. was waiting on the platform of the Reumannplatz U1 underground station in Vienna in September 47Ms.Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit2003 at around 8 pm with her young child (21⁄2 years old) and another woman and her daughter. Some teenagers