Caught on Video: Swimming pool denies entry to migrant domestic worker

The Anti Racism Movement organized a direct action this weekend to highlight racism in Lebanese society towards migrant domestic workers and people of color in general.

Below is the video of Anti Racism Movement activists trying to get a migrant domestic worker into the swimming pool. The activists are allowed in, but not the "maid".

For previous entries related to this issue, check this and this.



The press release:

NEWS
“Anti Racism Movement” launches in Lebanon

July 12, 2010- A group of independent activists organized a direct action on a number of touristic resorts that adopt racist policies towards migrant workers in Lebanon on the basis of color, race, and class. Some of these resorts had put up signs asking its customers not to bring radio, food and maids to the resort.

After conducting several field researches and verifying the rules and procedures of the resorts, activists went to the resorts identified as the most racist accompanied by an activist of the Madagascari citizenship. The woman was denied entry by the administration of the resort and no valid reasons were provided.

"We have monitored more than 15 resorts that follow the same traditions and practices of racism against non-whites in Lebanon, reminiscent of the era of apartheid in South Africa, blatant racism in the United States," said the campaign's spokesperson at IndyACT, Aimee Razanjay. "The action today is the beginning of a series similar actions to monitor and document such practices and to inform the Lebanese society of the extent of their contribution to perpetuating the racist system in Lebanon," added Aimee.

Incidents of this sort have recently been exacerbated where customers are prevented from entering because of skin color or prejudice and definitely because of the weakness and/or indifference of civil society actors in dealing with these phenomena and the absence of a criminalizing and binding law that affects these racist practices in Lebanon.

"The Lebanese government should take the initiative to fine those resorts that are engaged with such policies going against the UN Charter of human rights, in particular the item relating to equality," said Ali Fakhry, Communication Officer of the Anti Racism Movement in IndyACT. "This move is an explicit notification to the rest of the resorts that there are activists not willing to stay silent anymore, "said Fakhry.

The Anti Racism Movement is preparing for several events and actions advertised in a timely manner designed to support, advocate and empower migrant domestic workers in Lebanon.