Lindholme, which has not had any previous actions at it yet, was criticised a few months ago by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers in a report into asylum detention, saying it needed "fundamental and far-reaching changes". Ms Owers had also said that detainees were not shown enough respect and were subjected to "unacceptable and unnecessary" random strip searches after visits and that, further, asylum seekers interviewed by inspectors neither felt safe nor knew what was happening to them. Asylum seekers are held at Lindholme under rules which allow immigration authorities to detain them at any stage of their process. They can be detained without having been charged or convicted of a criminal offence. ( http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/09/278236.html)

The demo is part of a European Wide Day of Action against refugee detention and for migrant rights, that has been called for the 31st following a proposal made at the European Social Forum in Paris in November by the National Co-ordination of Sans Papiers (France), Co-ordination of Sans Papiers (Switzerland), Comitato Immigranti (Italy), Tavolo Migranti del Social
Forum Italiani (Italy), Kanak Attak (Germany), and supporting groups (For the text, see
"Common Declaration" on  http://www.basicrights.de/munich/index/002esf.fr.html)

In the UK further actions include a march by refugees from the Congo in London to deliver a letter to Parliament/the Prime Minister, on the 30th or 31st, accompanied by drums and a picket/demo of the Daily Mail on Friday evening (30th). Actions are also being planned for other detention centres/prisons across the country.

If you want more info on the demo at Lindholme phone 07816620039 or e-mail  bignoise@cyber-rights.net

NO ONE IS ILLEGAL!!