Actions to Scrap Section 55 - January 8/9th 2004


Those of us with status can choose to go without food for up to 48 hours, *7,500 plus asylum seekers may have no choice

On January 8th 2003 Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 came into force. Within a week hundreds of Asylum Seekers were made destitute, many of them having to sleep rough before finding help.

Since that infamous date, many groups have sprung up around the UK and Scotland pledged to Scrapping Section 55 and to providing what support they can for those made destitute by politically motivated legislation until such time as it is scrapped.

Around the UK from the 8th January 2004 there will be actions to highlight the hardship of victims of Section 55.

Oxford Asylum Welcome are holding a sponsored fast on January 9-10, with a stall in the Cornmarket on the 10th, from which we will attempt to make make clear the horrors of Sec. 55 and the larger asylum question. Happy New Year to you all, Candis Roberts for Asylum Welcome.
Further details:

Sheffield: Sponsored Fast 8 January to 10 January 2004
Fasters are invited to abstain from taking food (but are encouraged to take fluids) for any period for up to 48 hours starting from 6pm on Thursday 8 January.
Further details:  assistsheffield@yahoo.co.uk

Leeds: 'Campaign against destitution in our communities'
A group of concerned organisations and individuals in Leeds are planning to mark and publicly object to a year of enforced destitution for asylum seekers by participating in a sponsored fast for 48 hours. Starts Friday 9th January 2004
Further details:  Merlo@lassn.org.uk

Manchester: Rally on Thursday, 8 January 2004, 12.00 noon onwards in Albert Square, Manchester
Further details:  ncadc-north-west@ncadc.org.uk


Liverpool: Stand Up for Asylum Seekers
At the Victoria Monument outside the Crown Court (meet 11.50 am) as well as people doing it in workplaces.
Further details: Dee Coombs  lcad@merseymail.com

Nottingham: Nottingham Refugee Campaign Group is organising a sponsored fast to raise awareness of, and financial support for, destitute asylum seekers. Our fast will be for 2 days (or whatever people feel they can manage), starting on Friday January 9th. (The 8th is the first anniversary of these draconian new regulations.)
Further details:  refugees@tiscali.co.uk


*Number of asylum seekers refused under Section 55 January to September 2003, Hansard Monday 5th January 2004.
--