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'Bias' row at Bullring

Dec 2 2003

Evening Mail

 

Bullring chiefs have been accused of religious prejudice after Hare Krishna worshippers were turned away with the message: "You're not welcome here".

Debenhams tower at the Bullring

Groups who express their religion - or politics - now are being told to leave the new centre.

A group of Hare Krishna devotees, who were chanting and playing music, were seen being turned away from the entrance by security staff.

A 35-year-old witness said: "I was so angry to see this. I think this is religious prejudice and discrimination.

"I have lived in Birmingham for ten years, I'm an adopted Brummie and proud to be.

"One of things I love about this cultural city is you do see groups like this wandering around freely. This move is absolutely outrageous."

Bullring bosses confirmed that it was management policy not to allow in religious or political groups.

"This is absolutely not religious discrimination at all," said Bullring's Georgina Kelly.

"We don't really allow religious or political people in as Bullring is a shopping destination and we do our best to make the shopping experience as pleasureable as possible.

"We don't really think Bullring is the right place for this when people have come here to shop."

She added: "The city council is very accommodating to allow freedom of speech, political or religious, and there is the rest of the city centre for religious or political groups. But for us, Bull-ring is for shopping.

"Religious or political groups are more than welcome to walk through the centre to get to another destination."

Birmingham City Council would not comment on the row, but said: "The Bullring is a private complex."

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