The business has officially agreed to rebrand and remove the term from its operations. We have secured a commitment from government representatives to review trademark protections regarding ethnic identifiers. Monitoring of these changes will continue to ensure full compliance.
February 2, 2018
Final supporters
To whom it may concern:
Please sign and give your support for our petition to the New Zealand government against “The Original Gypsy Fair” (a business registered in New Zealand to owner Mr. Jim Banks), and against the future theft and misuse of our cultural identity for financial gains.
Join us as we stand against Romany cultural appropriation, ceasing to halt the continued stereotypes and racism that stand in direct opposition to our human rights.
We, the Romany, are a race with our own culture and identity. We contest that this above-named fair is appropriating our culture, race and identity for financial profit towards which they have no rights or claims.
We request the following:
- “The Original Gypsy Fair” remove the name and description, “Gypsy” from their registered business for it constitutes and perpetuates false stereotyping of the true Gypsy people.
- That the New Zealand Government review trademark and copyright laws to exclude businesses not owned or operated by actual Romany from using the term “Gypsy” for financial gain
- That the New Zealand Government implement inclusion of the Roma and Gypsy people in the New Zealand Human Rights Charter
For our latest media coverage see: "Stop Stealing our Culture" on Stuff.co.nz.
This is a world-wide petition. Please take note that we have ethnic rights under UN Charters. We will pursue all means and avenues necessary to have our voices heard and acknowledged through all forms of media to highlight the responsibilities of the appropriate New Zealand government departments’ ethnic and cultural human rights toward authentic Gypsy peoples.
Thank you,
Yours truly,
Bob Lovell
Updates
December 8, 2017
The traction gained on this petition has pushed our case onto the desks of several policy advisors. We are now preparing a formal submission to the Ministry of Justice to challenge these specific trade practices.
Reached 100 supporters
December 8, 2017
82 Comments
The requests speak for themselves. Romani. Aotearoa/New Zealand Bill of Rights Act identifies minorities as having the right to cultural, religious and linguistic protection. Aside from a political right the request embodies ethical, egalitarian and democratic ethea.
I agree with Robert and have talked about this for many years I am a Essex born Romany living here and find it insulting to see our culture and way of life used in this way .you are born Romany we are a people
It's not ok for van dwellers to portray somthing they do as authentic when it isn't. By calling their fair "original gypsy" when they are not comming from the travelling community themselves you can see why it would offend.
I totally agree with the petition, my family own and run the Gordon Boswell Romany Museum in Spalding UK, our heritage, culture and traditions should not be forgotten but they should not be used for commercial gain by people just wanting to cash in the way of life. You are born a Romany you cannot just become one by your lifestyle choices.
I fully support this petition from my perspective as a Kale - Welsh Romany - and I urge others who share our race and cultural identity to do the same by signing this petition. Thank you, Mr Lovell, you are doing what is right and fair for the survival of our culture..
My Grandmother’s maiden name was Fuge. From a family of horse traders near Swansea, Wales.
Has a romany gypsy it's always saddened me to see this.
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The business has officially agreed to rebrand and remove the term from its operations. We have secured a commitment from government representatives to review trademark protections regarding ethnic identifiers. Monitoring of these changes will continue to ensure full compliance.
February 2, 2018
Final supporters
To whom it may concern:
Please sign and give your support for our petition to the New Zealand government against “The Original Gypsy Fair” (a business registered in New Zealand to owner Mr. Jim Banks), and against the future theft and misuse of our cultural identity for financial gains.
Join us as we stand against Romany cultural appropriation, ceasing to halt the continued stereotypes and racism that stand in direct opposition to our human rights.
We, the Romany, are a race with our own culture and identity. We contest that this above-named fair is appropriating our culture, race and identity for financial profit towards which they have no rights or claims.
We request the following:
- “The Original Gypsy Fair” remove the name and description, “Gypsy” from their registered business for it constitutes and perpetuates false stereotyping of the true Gypsy people.
- That the New Zealand Government review trademark and copyright laws to exclude businesses not owned or operated by actual Romany from using the term “Gypsy” for financial gain
- That the New Zealand Government implement inclusion of the Roma and Gypsy people in the New Zealand Human Rights Charter
For our latest media coverage see: "Stop Stealing our Culture" on Stuff.co.nz.
This is a world-wide petition. Please take note that we have ethnic rights under UN Charters. We will pursue all means and avenues necessary to have our voices heard and acknowledged through all forms of media to highlight the responsibilities of the appropriate New Zealand government departments’ ethnic and cultural human rights toward authentic Gypsy peoples.
Thank you,
Yours truly,
Bob Lovell
Updates
December 8, 2017
The traction gained on this petition has pushed our case onto the desks of several policy advisors. We are now preparing a formal submission to the Ministry of Justice to challenge these specific trade practices.
Reached 100 supporters
December 8, 2017
82 Comments
This is my Familia. Ppl have no right to use our photos and claim our own...this is about cultural property rights. You wouldn't call it a Maori fair and use other people photos of Whanau.
The requests speak for themselves. Romani. Aotearoa/New Zealand Bill of Rights Act identifies minorities as having the right to cultural, religious and linguistic protection. Aside from a political right the request embodies ethical, egalitarian and democratic ethea.
I agree with Robert and have talked about this for many years I am a Essex born Romany living here and find it insulting to see our culture and way of life used in this way .you are born Romany we are a people
It's not ok for van dwellers to portray somthing they do as authentic when it isn't. By calling their fair "original gypsy" when they are not comming from the travelling community themselves you can see why it would offend.
I totally agree with the petition, my family own and run the Gordon Boswell Romany Museum in Spalding UK, our heritage, culture and traditions should not be forgotten but they should not be used for commercial gain by people just wanting to cash in the way of life. You are born a Romany you cannot just become one by your lifestyle choices.
I fully support this petition from my perspective as a Kale - Welsh Romany - and I urge others who share our race and cultural identity to do the same by signing this petition. Thank you, Mr Lovell, you are doing what is right and fair for the survival of our culture..
My Grandmother’s maiden name was Fuge. From a family of horse traders near Swansea, Wales.
Has a romany gypsy it's always saddened me to see this.
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This is my Familia. Ppl have no right to use our photos and claim our own...this is about cultural property rights. You wouldn't call it a Maori fair and use other people photos of Whanau.