Reports of the suicide of Said Al Alheed, a 26 year old asylum seeker shocked a 50 strong joint meeting of Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit and the Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers.

In order to support asylum seekers, combat their isolation and build defence campaigns a regular monthly social event will be held for asylum seekers and their supporters. The first meeting is 1-4pm Saturday March 3rd at the Cross St Chapel, Cross St. Central Manchester. Material and financial support for asylum seekers is needed for this event.

In response to the government’s new restriction on asylum we have called a Manchester demonstration for Saturday 31st March, (a similar London demonstration will take place on the 24th March, 1pm,Trafalgar Square).

The demonstration has been called to demand that racism be kept out of the general election. Asylum seekers are already denied human rights and face humiliation and depravation due to vouchers, dispersal and detention. Further restrictions include the denial of even a hearing before summary deportation. We believe that attacking asylum seekers encourages the racists in our society.

We ask individuals, community groups, churches and trade union bodies to add their names to the sponsorship of the Manchester demonstration. We welcome assistance in all aspects of organising this event.

The principle demands of the demonstration are:

ASYLUM SEEKERS WELCOME HERE!

SAY NO TO RACISM!

Hands off Asylum Seekers!
Support the Manchester Demonstration
Saturday 31st March
Assemble 12 Noon, All Saints, Oxford Rd.

A4 Word leaflet for the demo at
 http://www.labournet.net/antiracism/0102/demo.doc


Remember Said Al Alheed! ASYLUM SEEKERS WELCOME HERE!

Details tel Mark 0161 881 7352
Contact the Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers
and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit at:

Immigration Aid Unit,
400 Cheetham Hill Rd.
Manchester M8 9LE

email:  manchester@defend-asylum.org
email:  gmiau@ein.org.uk