#StopTravellerHate

We want to train a network of activists to fight back against the rise in anti-Traveller hate. 

Hate crime against Gypsies and Travellers is rising, fuelled by toxic rhetoric in our media, online, and even from some politicians. 

Across the UK, editors are using anti-Traveller stories as clickbait to gain attention and boost their advertising revenue. Even outlets like Channel 4 have joined in, running a programme promoting long-debunked stereotypes linking Travellers to crime.

These toxic media messages are fuelling hate towards Travellers. 

People have been attacked and abused in the street - and even barred from pubs simply because of their ethnic identity.

To make things worse, MPs and councillors from across the political spectrum have sought to scapegoat Gypsies and Travellers, fuelling racism and playing on prejudice rather than focussing on society’s real problems.

History shows us the danger of demonising minority groups. The risks are even greater during economic hardship and uncertainty.

#StopFundingHate works - together we can increase the pressure for more responsible media, and help end the demonisation of Gypsies and Travellers in public life.

#StopFundingHate tactics have already helped bring about significant changes in the UK media. Since 2016 there’s been a big drop in the number of anti-migrant front pages after dozens of advertisers walked away from the Daily Mail, Sun and Daily Express. The Daily Mail has revealed plans to “detoxify” and all three papers have new editors. 

These tactics work because the companies we shop with care what their customers think. Big advertisers know that aligning with hate and division damages their brand - and when consumers speak out, companies will respond.

Your donation can help us widen our focus, and empower people across the UK to #StopTravellerHate by using these tried-and-tested tactics. 

If we can persuade advertisers to stop supporting outlets that demonise Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, this will be another step towards a UK media that reports honestly and fairly, and respects everyone within our society. 

Help us empower a network of activists to #StopTravellerHate

Too often, prejudice towards Gypsies, Roma and Travellers has been tolerated because people are not aware that they are legally-recognised ethnic minorities protected by the same laws as every other minority group. 

And too often, the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers are not heard or are side-lined in public life. 

The Traveller Movement (TM) will work to change this by giving activists a platform to challenge the media narrative and make their voices heard. Your support will help to fund 10 Gypsy, Roma and Traveller activists to produce their own videos telling their story, and calling out hate in media and in politics. 

The videos will be used as alternative, positive narrative to media and to politicians whenever hateful rhetoric and programmes surface. Our aim is to demonstrate how one-sided, prejudiced and ignorant the picture that politicians and media paint really is.

Your support will also fund media skills training and political literacy programmes for up to 75 Gypsies, Roma and Travellers so they have the best tools possible to fight against anti-Traveller racism and to meaningfully engage with politics and politicians.

The Traveller Movement is an award winning national charity committed to human rights for ethnic minority Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.

Together we can bring about long-term change

Stop Funding Hate wants to bring about a UK media free from racism - and that includes racism towards Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. We need to get to the point where instead of fuelling misinformation and hate, UK newspapers and broadcasters report fairly and in line with international ethical journalism standards.

The Traveller Movement wants to create a climate where anti-Traveller hate by MPs, local politicians and the media has real consequences and is no longer tolerated. A key part of this will be to increase the representation of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers within Parliament and other political bodies. We want to build awareness of the fact that Gypsies, Roma and Travellers have an ethnic minority status - and deserve the same protections from racism as other ethnic groups. Ultimately, we want to see the Parliamentary Code of Conduct updated to specifically prohibit hate speech against minority ethnic or religious groups.