A grassroots anti-racist campaign group is being launched in Tramore on Thursday.

Tramore is home to two direct provision centres, which campaigners have likened to detention centres with no privacy and no space to cook food.

A meeting to establish United Against Racism will take place on Thursday at 8pm in the Meeting Hall of Tramore GAA Club.

Campaigners say it is now more important than ever that people are united in the fight against all forms of racism.

Memet Uludag is the National Convener of United Against Racism (UAR) he said, ‘Waterford has a strong tradition of opposing racist behaviour and we want to continue that tradition, more now than ever, especially as we see a rise in racism and the far-right in parts of the world.’

Lesley, a direct provision resident said ‘We are often horrified when we look abroad and see how rampant racist policies are becoming but the Irish State’s track record leaves a lot to be desired. Direct Provision centres are akin to detention centres, there is no privacy as people are bundled into cramped spaces. Families have no space to cook food and many are living in state-sanctioned poverty. It was originally brought in as a temporary measure in 2000. 18 years later asylum seekers are forced to spend years in conditions that are damaging to their health, welfare and life-chances.’

One of the organisers, Una Dunphy said ‘The centres are profit driven and run by private contractors who receive about €50 million in State funding annually while asylum seekers cannot recieve social welfare or free third level education. United Nations and international human rights groups have heavily criticised the system. UAR are building people power campaigns to end Direct Provision centres and tackle discrimination in all its forms be it anti-traveller, anti-sematic or islamophobic.’