Grattan Puxon has been
an activist and campaigner for the rights of the Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) a community for over 50 years. He was a founding member of The Gypsy Council and
has been heavily involved in international movements aimed at increasing the rights
of the GRT community. He has greatly contributed to the running of World Romani
Congresses and numerous other international GRT events.
In his early activist
years, he was involved in the eviction of Orchard Farm, a settlement just
outside of Dublin in Ireland. More recently, Grattan was heavily involved in
the campaign to stop the eviction of Dale Farm in Essex, which was the home a
large number of families and individuals from the GRT community. He became
secretary of Dale Farm Housing Association (DFHA) which offered support and
guidance for those affected by the eviction and arranged legal representation
for the re-housing of Dale Farm residents. Grattan was a public advocate for
the campaign and was featured heavily in the press during this time. Grattan
also heavily campaigned for memorials for members of the GRT community which
were killed during the holocaust and fought on behalf of asylum seekers from
the GRT community. In addition to his activist and campaign work, Grattan has
also written several books relating to the history and experiences of the GRT
community. His titles include: ‘Free Born Traveller’, ‘On The Road’ and ‘Rom: Europe’s
Gypsies’. Grattan remains an active campaigner for equal rights of the GRT
community.