UK Civil Rights Caravan Continues Campaigning Tour
ifir | 04.10.2000 12:55
The UK Civil Rights Caravan continued its campaign against racism and racist attacks and for full rights for asylum seekers. On Sunday September 24, the Caravan visited the Unemployment Centre and participated in the S24 counter conference and demonstration against the Labour conference in Brighton.
On Wednesday September 27, the Caravan joined a candle light vigil in London's Chinatown for the hundredth day after the 58 Chinese asylum
seekers were found suffocated in a container trying to enter the UK.
On Thursday September 28, the Caravan held a press conference for its official launch. Later, 157 black balloons were released opposite Downing Street, one to represent each death due to racist violence, death in police custody or immigration laws since the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. Speakers at the Press Conference included Imran Khan (Lawrence family solicitor), Jabez Lam (of Action 58 – representing the 58 Chinese migrants who died trying to enter the UK), Abdul Kadir (cousin of Farhan Mire, a Somali asylum seeker killed by racists), Ladislav Balaz (Europe-Roma, a Roma who has faced death threats in the UK as well as back home), Frances Webber (a leading immigration barrister), and Suresh Grover (chair of the National Civil Rights Movement). Maryam Namazie was also interviewed by BBC television on behalf of the Caravan for news programs that was aired on the same date. In addition to Namazie, two Iraqi asylum seekers who were knifed in the head and hand respectively and a UN representative were interviewed on the situation in the UK and the increase in racist attacks because of the government's xenophobic policies and statements.
On Friday, September 29, the Caravan went to Sheffield, met with asylum seekers in a hostel, and attended a public meeting of over 150 people. Sam Azad spoke on behalf of the IFIR and Dashty Jamal spoke on behalf of the Iraqi Federation. At the meeting, a well-known attorney agreed to assist asylum seekers pro bono.
On Saturday, September 30, the Caravan went to Newcastle. To coincide with the Caravan's arrival, the North East Campaign for Asylum Rights (NECFAR) staged a demonstration to protest the increasing levels of racism and xenophobia being aimed at asylum and immigrant groups in the UK. Over three hundred people participated in the demonstration. Azam Kamguyan spoke on behalf of the IFIR, Dashty Jamal on behalf of the Iraqi Federation and Suresh Grover on behalf of the Caravan. After the demonstration, a meeting was held with various asylum seekers; a centre in Sheffield agreed to provide support to asylum seekers in that city.
The Caravan's next stops during October 6-9 are Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and a solidarity meeting outside the London Park Hotel refugee hostel in London.
seekers were found suffocated in a container trying to enter the UK.
On Thursday September 28, the Caravan held a press conference for its official launch. Later, 157 black balloons were released opposite Downing Street, one to represent each death due to racist violence, death in police custody or immigration laws since the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. Speakers at the Press Conference included Imran Khan (Lawrence family solicitor), Jabez Lam (of Action 58 – representing the 58 Chinese migrants who died trying to enter the UK), Abdul Kadir (cousin of Farhan Mire, a Somali asylum seeker killed by racists), Ladislav Balaz (Europe-Roma, a Roma who has faced death threats in the UK as well as back home), Frances Webber (a leading immigration barrister), and Suresh Grover (chair of the National Civil Rights Movement). Maryam Namazie was also interviewed by BBC television on behalf of the Caravan for news programs that was aired on the same date. In addition to Namazie, two Iraqi asylum seekers who were knifed in the head and hand respectively and a UN representative were interviewed on the situation in the UK and the increase in racist attacks because of the government's xenophobic policies and statements.
On Friday, September 29, the Caravan went to Sheffield, met with asylum seekers in a hostel, and attended a public meeting of over 150 people. Sam Azad spoke on behalf of the IFIR and Dashty Jamal spoke on behalf of the Iraqi Federation. At the meeting, a well-known attorney agreed to assist asylum seekers pro bono.
On Saturday, September 30, the Caravan went to Newcastle. To coincide with the Caravan's arrival, the North East Campaign for Asylum Rights (NECFAR) staged a demonstration to protest the increasing levels of racism and xenophobia being aimed at asylum and immigrant groups in the UK. Over three hundred people participated in the demonstration. Azam Kamguyan spoke on behalf of the IFIR, Dashty Jamal on behalf of the Iraqi Federation and Suresh Grover on behalf of the Caravan. After the demonstration, a meeting was held with various asylum seekers; a centre in Sheffield agreed to provide support to asylum seekers in that city.
The Caravan's next stops during October 6-9 are Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and a solidarity meeting outside the London Park Hotel refugee hostel in London.
ifir
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ifir@ukonline.co.uk
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