December 4, 2008, London, UK: Supporters of the Dale Farm Travellers gathered outside the British Court of Appeal in London today as the court considered whether to evict them from their homes in Southeastern England.

The appeal stems from a May ruling by the British High Court, which halted a previous eviction order by local authority the Basildon District Council. The Council claims the Travellers are living illegally and without planning permission at Dale Farm. The judge ordered the Council to find alternative land where the Travellers could live.

Dale Farm currently houses 90 families, and comprises more than 130 chalets, mobile homes and caravans.

Richard Sheridan, President of the Dale Farm Housing Association, said that evicting Dale Farm residents from their own land would only add to the 18 million pounds spent every year evicting Travellers. In addition, he said, it will cost local councils around 10 million pounds in the future – if not more – to re-accommodate them under the Housing Act.

More importantly, eviction would threaten the welfare of Dale Farm residents – including the elderly and a young mother who recently gave birth to triplets.

Sheridan is asking supporters to be ready to come to Dale Farm if the Travellers lose the appeal and the eviction takes place. He would like people to sign up as human rights monitors to make sure the bailiffs and police act within the law.

The Travellers would also like supporters to send letters to the Press Complaints Commission over recent headlines in the Daily Express that contained false information about families having to sell their land to make way for Travellers.

Letters can be sent by e-mail or mailed to the Press Complaints Commission, Halton House, 20/23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD.