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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 10 July 2009
 
Bridget Fox... ‘spirit’
Storm over ‘war zone’ jibe

A NEWSPAPER article which likened the area around King’s Cross to “a war zone” has sparked an angry reaction.
In the Independent on Sunday article, journalist Amol Rajan wrote about “feral” youth in “dirty sportswear”, some on drugs and many from families who have not worked for several generations.
Mr Rajan, a former youth worker in the Caledonian Road area, asked: “Is there any hope for the youngsters growing up in this brutal atmosphere?”
The article resulted in an angry letter which appeared in the Independent on Sunday signed by Islington Council Lib Dem leader Councillor Terry Stacy, parish priest Father Jim Kennedy, and Caledonian ward Labour councillor Paul Convery.
They criticise Mr Rajan for unfairly describing the area as “notorious”, arguing that his article suggested that young people had been all but abandoned to their fate.
Mr Rajan was accused of ignoring the good work done locally by a variety of groups.
Bridget Fox, prospective Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Islington South and Finsbury, said: “No one denies that the Cally has problems – hence the recent dispersal zone – but it also has many positive things going for it, not least its community spirit.
“The area is much cleaner and safer than it was when we first lived there years ago.”
Mr Rajan was not available for comment.

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YOUR COMMENTS:

On the contrary, I found Amol Rajan's article in the Independent to be balanced, and, to some extent positive about the work being done to improve the area and its "feral youth". It's high time that politicians, even "hip" Lib Demmers got their heads out of the rarified political atmosphere, and went "on the street" to get a taste of real life. The area is "notorious" it is full of "feral youth" and thus far the policies put in place by the politicians have done nothing to address the situation.It is GOOD to see journalists such as Mr Rajan highlighting the problems, and perhaps making the point that more needs to be done.Sincerely,
J.P.Haring
 
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