Roma beyond borders Europe, Asia & the Americas The history of the Romani people has been a history of movement. Not from some innate wanderlust as the storybooks would have it but because of outside circumstances that have left them no option. They moved out of India a thousand years ago in response to the westward spread of Islam, arriving in Europe three hundred years later pushed ahead of the Ottoman Empire. Roma are once again on the move because of ethnic tensions that have erupted since the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. With the emergence of ethnic nationalism and the creation of new nation states, Roma have been increasingly regarded as trespassers and have been forced to leave, often with murderous results. Having no homeland in which to find refuge, Roma today live on the fringes of Europe. The photographer Nigel Dickinson has documented the grim consequences of this in his photos shot over more than two decades. With the rare ability to gain the trust of a harassed and skeptical people, he has been allowed to capture not only the despair but also the escape found in dance and song. He has visited and lived with Roma across Europe, Asia and the Americas; including England, Ireland, Spain, France, Poland, Germany, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Greece, Georgia, Turkey, Finland, Slovakia, USA, Mexico, Colombia. He also photographed peoples closest to the Roma’s ancestors, had they stayed in Rajasthan, India. Dickinson paints with a broad brush; refugees of war, victims of displacement, evictions, sometimes living in finery and sometimes in poverty, music, dance, drugs, the inner-city, red cross camps, frontier problems, traditional Romani horse and wagons, festivals, born again Christians, Catholics, Muslims, casual workers, and the effects of institutionalized racism, segregation and apartheid education systems. Nigel Dickinson's photographic documentation in this work "Roma Beyond Borders" bears witness, through an intimate glimpse and broad brush, Roma peoples lived experience across the world; examining political, social and historical events which have shaped the Romani’s history across ancient, recent, up to modern times; portraying the lives of Roma Gypsy people across continents and social class, during war, exodus, holocaust and in daily life. The work explores their origins, and what it is to be a Roma or Romany Gypsy, Gitan, Kale, Manouche; culturally, linguistically, traditionally, as an identity, as part of a family, sometimes a community and of a diverse people; examining both reality and romanticism, going beyond mainstream media stereotypes, the perceptions we have of Roma, and they have of us and indeed themselves.

Smokey Mountain rubbish dump, at Steung Mean Chey, started as a landfill site sixty years ago, and is now part of Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the grey cloud of acrid smoke exuding from constantly burning garbage gives it its nickname. There are over 2,000 casual workers, including some 600 children, who scavenge across the dumpsite, collecting plastic bags, metal, plastics and paper; which are then sorted, cleaned, weighed, and sold for recycling. People work, eat, and sleep amidst the rubbish and constant fumes, their strenuous labor earns them about $1 per day. Waste pickers even work night-shifts using miner's lamps to illuminate their way, one of Smokey Mountain's most visually striking characteristics. It is a place notorious for pollution, crime, and disease; medical waste is a constant hazard. In Asia, whole communities have developed out of the waste industry, handling some 75% of urban waste. What is a life of misery for some, is an example of sustainable development to others. Across Asia, the figures for recycling man-made resources, by such communities, are staggeringly high compared with the western developed countries. Informal waste collection systems have environmental and economic advantages, reducing the need for landfill, saving natural resources, while providing an important lifeline for some of the world's poorest people, but waste scavengers have dramatically shortened life expectancies, poor health and bad living conditions

Eco Warriors are in rebellion against HS2, UK's high speed railway, defending ancient English woodlands from destruction caused by the massive urban and rural construction program. Many species of flora and fauna are under threat. In defiance, Resistance camps have been set up along the proposed route in many parts of England, from London, through the Midlands and the North. Protest takes the form of barricaded squats, tunnels, tree-houses and fortified towers, with protests and trespass onto HS2 land to stop deforestation and halt building works. Protesters are not afraid of being arrested. HS2 is protected by 24hour security guards dressed in fluorescent orange uniforms, nicknamed 'carrots' by the protesters. Police and security guards often work together against the collective of independent individuals whose aim is to protect the environment and wildlife.

Apocalyptic scenes. Vast red tracts of land, long dusty roads, scar the green rainforest, carrying a constant cargo of logging trucks moving down, whilst construction machinery moves upwards for the Murum Dam project. Home of the Kenyah native people who once lived in Long Geng, which was flooded by the Bakun Dam. Their community is now dispersed between Sungai Asap, Long Lewan and floating longhouses on the Bakun reservoir. Bakun Belaga region, Sarawak Borneo 2012 The Bakun hydro-electric dam, which covers 700km². Construction of the dam required the relocation of more than 9,000 native residents, mainly Kayan and Kenyah indigenous peoples who lived in the flooded area. Many Sarawak natives have been relocated to a longhouse settlement named Sungai Asap in Bakun. Most of them were subsistence farmers. Each family were promised only 3 acres of land, insufficient to survive, and many families still have not been compensated for the loss of their longhouses Sarawak's primary rainforests have been systematically logged over decades, threatening the sustainable lifestyle of its indigenous peoples who relied on nomadic hunter-gathering and rotational slash & burn cultivation of small areas of forest to survive. Now only a few areas of pristine rainforest remain; for the Dayaks and Penan this spells disaster, a rapidly disappearing way of life, forced re-settlement, many becoming wage-slaves. Large and medium size tree trunks have been sawn down and dragged out by bulldozers, leaving destruction in their midst, and for the most part a primary rainforest ecosystem beyond repair. Nowadays palm oil plantations and hydro-electric dam projects cover hundreds of thousands of hectares of what was the world's oldest rainforest ecosystem which had some of the highest rates of flora and fauna endemism, species found there and nowhere else on Earth Sarawak East Malaysia deforestation rainforest rain forest dam hydro-electric hydro electric forestry tree wood timber oil palm development habitat environment tribes indigenous land human rights biodiversity people kenyah kelabit penan iban dayak native survival hunter gatherer farmer destroyed destruction modern hardwood pipeline Bakun Murum Long Napir Limbang Belaga Rejang Baram Kuching sustainable sustainability threatened resistance struggle landrights

China Beijing Shanghai Rizao leader Xi Jinping president lifetime’s rule idea rejuvenated Stronger, Longer, Bigger global dominance technology renewable energy China world largest mobile payment market cash obsolete Big brother watching surveillance everywhere one surveillance camera per person techno-authoritarian state artificial intelligence facial recognition track monitor all citizens China billion industry world leader in the field artificial intelligence surveillance technology abusive governments China's Social Credit System monitor nation 1.4 billion citizens control coerce gigantic social engineering experiment penalties shamed public rapid trains high speed internet super regions proliferation mega cities needing extra-ordinary levels renewables China’s investment sustainable energy wind hydro solar power planted billion trees invading China border great green wall Gobi Desert

The meat industry is driven by profits with inhumane treatment of beasts and vast land use, this has environmental consequences, such as deforestation, threatening ecosystems, and contributing to climate change. This work begins in Britain with ‘Mad Cow’ and ‘Foot & Mouth’ crises. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), known as Mad Cow disease, is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease in Cattle. BSE was caused by feeding infected protein supplements and cheap animal remains to cattle. 4.4 million cows were killed, several thousand people have died worldwide from Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. ‘Foot & Mouth’ a viral flu, affecting cloven hoofed animals, causes 6 months more feeding to get a beast ready for sale. In 2001 it caused a crisis in British agriculture and tourism; 6 million beasts were killed. 25 million dogs are eaten, every year, worldwide. For some eating a cow or a dog is taboo. What is man’s relationship, to the beast he sometimes loves, kills and eats. meat cows beef pig red dog meat eating animal cow processing food chain ecosystem biology ecology health nutrition mad cows BSE CJD foot and mouth Bovine spongiform encephalopathy disease abattoir hunting predator torture brain cattle extermination inspection beast steak incineration World Europe Africa Asia Australia UK Great Britain England France Cambodia Nigeria Amazon Brazil Borneo agriculture butcher butchery environment kill killing environment climate crisis

The British Road Protesters movement began in the early 1990s when the Donga tribe squatted Twyford Down to save this beautiful site, a site of scientific interest SSI from the Ministry of transport's road building programme which threatened to destroy the landscape. The Dongas was the name of the ancient walkways, the paths trodden in the middle ages by people walking down to Winchester. A small tribe were joined by people of all walks of life who came to Twyford Down to defend it. A long hard battle over several years ended in the 'cutting' a new motorway built through this ancient monument and destroying it. The Road Protest movement in Britain continued for many years and more battles were fought in London against the MII both at Wanstead then in Leytonstone, and subsequently at Newbury, and in Sussex. the protesters were very inventive in their use of non violent peaceful direct action. They barricaded themselves into squats, made tree houses, tunnels and have huge demonstrations against the bailliffs, police and security who tried to force their way through the defences of this alternative environmental popular movement. Many of the roads were built eventually and many sites of great beauty lost, but the government had to stand down from its road building policy and eventually the programme was halted. the protests cost the government billions. Out of that movement grew many environmental NGOs who have to this day kept fighting for ecological and sustainable environmental solutions rather than following the cult of the car, petrol and roadbuilding..

Hispah Sharia Police, a volunteer religious militia force, enforcing Sharia law. The bearded police volunteer is knicknamed Osama Bin Africa..The implementation of Islamic Sharia Law across the twelve northern states of Nigeria, centres upon Kano, the largest Muslim Husa city, under the feudal, political and economic rule of the Emir of Kano. Islamic Sharia Law is enforced by official state apparatus including military and police, Islamic schools and education, plus various volunteer Militia groups supported financially and politically by the Emir and other business and political bodies. Fanatical Islamic Sharia religious traditions are enforced by the Hispah Sharia police. Deliquancy is controlled by the Vigilantes volunteer Militia. Activities such as Animist Pagan Voodoo ceremonies, playing music, drinking and gambling, normally outlawed under Sharia law exist as many parts of the rural and urban areas are controlled by local Mafia, ghetto gangs and rural hunters. The fight for control is never ending between the Emir, government forces, the Mafia and independent militias and gangs. This is fueled by rising petrol costs, and that 70% of the population live below the poverty line. Kano, Kano State, Northern Nigeria, Africa Kano State Nigeria Northern islam islamic muslim african africa west central apparatus police religion tradition desert husa housa christian oppression sharia law militia vigilantes ghetto gangs hunters army control suppression religious religion belief education Hispah Sharia Police volunteer religious militia force Sharia law beard volunteer Osama Bin Africa implementation Islamic Sharia Law twelve northern states Kano largest Muslim Husa city feudal political economic rule Emir Kano official state apparatus military Islamic schools education groups financially politically Fanatical traditions are enforced deliquancy controlled vigilantes animist pagan voodoo ceremonies music drinking gambling outlawed Sharia law rural urban controlled local Mafia ghetto gangs hunters petrol costs population live below poverty line. Kano Kano State Northern Nigeria Africa

People and The Land, Staffordshire Landscapes. Staffordshire Art project, commissioned by the Stafforshire County Arts Service in response to the growing concern about the impact on the countryside of continued change in the post industrial age. The images capture the spirit of continuity and sense of identity that have formed Staffordshire over the centuries.

In August 1990 ‘The Malvern families’, comprising off a dozen adults with eight young children, some homeless, all in urgent need of housing, moved into and squatted nine derelict staff bungalows on The Crescent, in the grounds of St. Wulstan’s hospital, Malvern. The bungalows were initially without water or electricity , but were soon redecorated, repaired, doors and windows replaced. There was a community spirit, sharing transport and resources. Gardens were cleared, and with no traffic the children were able to run around and play wherever they wanted. The families got water from wells on the Malvern Hills, and used camping stoves for cooking. In this idyllic rural retreat, the community lived in peace and hope for some months. However eviction notices were issued on the Malvern Families as the local health authority had agreed to sell the land to Bovis Homes for residential development. In October 1990 the squatters were due to be evicted but got a temporary reprieve while they appealed against a County Court Order at Worcester Crown Court. After five months of legal wrangling, the squatters’ appeal was lost and the families were eventually evicted by the High Sheriff on 28th January 1991. Armed with crowbars, supported by police, bailiffs entered the bungalows at St.Wulstan’s. Some of the squatters were dragged out. Furniture and belongings were dumped outside the bungalows. It was a very traumatic event for those involved. Some families were initially housed in local bed & breakfast accommodation, while others moved in with friends, and some eventually left the country.

Cambodia Phnom Penh Battambang Khmer Sex tourism industry Muslim Cham fishermen Mekong Evangelist Khmer Rouge Happy Mother Happy Baby midwife sage femme traditions childbirth casino gambling roulette poker Royal Cambodian Railways train track

Bhutan the country that prides itself on the development of 'Gross National Happiness' rather than GNP. This attitude pervades education, government, proclamations by royalty and politicians alike, and in the daily life of Bhutanese people. Strong adherence and respect for a royal family and Buddhism, mean the people generally follow what they are told and taught. There are of course contradictions between the modern and tradional world more often seen in urban rather than rural contexts. Phallic images of huge penises adorn the traditional homes, surrounded by animal spirits; Gross National Penis. Slow development, and fending off the modern world, television only introduced ten years ago, the lack of intrusive tourism, as tourists need to pay a daily minimum entry of $250, ecotourism for the rich, leaves a relatively unworldly populace, but with very high literacy, good health service and payments to peasants to not kill wild animals, or misuse forest, enables sustainable development and protects the country's natural heritage. Whilst various hydro-electric schemes, cash crops including apples, pull in import revenue, and Bhutan is helped with aid from the international community. Its population is only a meagre 700,000. Indian and Nepalese workers carry out the menial road and construction work. Barefoot College Tilonia, started by Bunker Roy in the 1970s. An organisation based upon creating economic self-empowerment and sustainable development initiatives, and self-sufficiency, for communities in the rural desert of Rajasthan, India. Energy autonomy with solar power capacitors, parabolic mirrors for cooking, solar powered water heating, and battery lanterns.

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An Amazonian tribal chief Almir Narayamogo, leader of 1350 Surui Indians in Rondônia, near Cacaol, Brazil, with a $100,000 bounty on his head, is fighting for the survival of his people and their forest, and using the world’s modern hi-tech tools; computers, smartphones, Google Earth and digital forestry surveillance. So far their fight has been very effective, leading to a most promising and novel result. In 2013, Almir Narayamogo, led his people to be the first and unique indigenous tribe in the world to manage their own REDD+ carbon project and sell carbon credits to the industrial world. By marketing the CO2 capacity of 250 000 hectares of their virgin forest, the forty year old Surui, has ensured the preservation, as well as a future of his community. In 2009, the four clans and 25 Surui villages voted in favour of a total moratorium on logging and the carbon credits project. They still face deforestation problems, such as illegal logging, and gold mining which causes pollution of their river systems

BREXIT Britain England Scotland Ireland Northern racism worker power city urban rural disagreement Western Europe Eastern Europeans border frontier crossing channel May government Tory Party For and Against

Artworks by Mexico's most famous living sculptor 'Sebastian Enrique Carbajal'. Sebastian Enrique Carbajal escultor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_(sculptor) sebastian enrique carbajal mexico greatest living artist sculpture ciudad primo mastro master genius geometric obsession emotion emocion talented huge spectacular sculptor plasticien acier steel acero ton tonnes heavy engineering architectural puerta bosque real fashion moda toledo paris spain espana south america north

Exclusion Gay marriage homosexual couple muslim taboo homosexuality homosexual homo paris suburbs france sexuality religion wedding human rights controversy black white arab race sexuality consensual belief islam men black white love family wedding Roma Gypsies eviction expulsion prejudice racism homeless expulsion roms tsigane tzigane romani

trees forest deforestation environment cutting down devastated penan dayak indigenous tribes protest transport lifestyle global warming gentle savage indian river pollution hillside agriculture kelabit Kayan native people sarawak malaysia bruno manser rainforest animals flora fauna wild park territory land rights human

Coronavirus France Paris Covid-19 confinement social distance police controls emptiness unrest people improvised homemade masks PPE Masks identity safety protection fashion voodoo city birds wildlife nature behaving nature empty eerie humans

Extinction Rebellion occupation of Chatelet in central Paris. Part of the International uprising and resistance against Climate Change Crisis across the world. Involving people's assemblies 'Assemblée Citoyonne' and occupations. October 2019.

Roma Gypsies gypsy romany tzigane tsigane zigeuner gitan gitans roms rrom rroms traveler traveller nomad nomads roulotte wagon tinker holocaust porrajmos worldwide Europe France squat bidounville music dance festival saintes maries de la mer

Police law justice global security Paris France. Loi de Securitie Globale. Demonstration protest manifestation anti-globale.