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European Day of Actions Against Immigration Detention and for Migrant Rights

Barbed Wire Britain | 29.01.2004 11:42 | Anti-racism | Migration | Cambridge

Dozens of demonstrations will take place this Saturday across Europe to call
for the end of immigration detention and respect for rights of refugees and
other migrants.

In addition to events in Britain (see below) there will be others in France
(13 in Paris, Lille, Perpignan, Nanterre, Nantes, Rennes, Amiens, Grenoble,
Palaiseau, Lyon, Calais, Marseille and Tours), Italy (Rome, Bologna, Crotone,
and
Caltanisetta (Sicily)), Germany (Frankfurt, Munich, Bremen and Göttingen),
Switzerland (Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Basle and Bern), Belgium (2 in
Brussels), Austria (Vienna), Spain (Barcelona, Malaga and Madrid) and Portugal
(Lisbon).

The actions have been organised following a call made by migrants' and
supporting groups at the European Social Forum in Paris in November. The
groups'
manifesto Bringing Together the Struggles of Sans Papiers, Refugees and
Migrants
in Europe can be accessed at
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/letters/newszine42/manifesto.html
Or, for a full list of actions and the collective Manifesto
 http://sanspapier.eu.ouvaton.org
Or Droits Devant!!  tarowen@hotmail.com mailto: tarowen@hotmail.com> Tel +33
(0)1 42 58 82 18

Bill MacKeith of Barbed Wire Britain network to end detention said: "This is
a first! Today dozens of demonstrations bring together Europe-wide opposition
to the inhuman practice of imprisoning people who migrate to Europe. It brings
to the attention of the public the daily affront to human dignity and justice
that is meted out by governments of the European Union to refugees and other
migrants. This is usually passed over in silence. Immigration policy is a
European issue, and the new Manifesto drawn up by migrant organisations in
Europe
will prove to be an historic document."

UK demonstrations

Friday 30th

· Protest outside Parliament 11am-2pm. Meet at St Stephens Gate
Calling for an unconditional "Blunkett Amnesty" for all asylum seekers and
those migrants without status.
Called by: Save-Our-Souls-Immigration-Discrimination (SOSID)
Details:  http://www.ncadc.org.uk/letters/newszine42/boneko.html

· Protest at the Daily Mail - 5.30-7pm Daily Mail, Derry Street (nearest
tube, High Street Kensington)
The Mail, with its 100-year history of anti-immigration propaganda, has
helped set the
government's asylum agenda.
Called by Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers:  info@defend-asylum.org

· "Shanty town" outside UNHCR, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1 10am -
4pm
To demand that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
provide shelter, food and resources as it is mandated to do in any country
where
refugees have fled for protection.
Contact: Women of Colour (Global Women's Strike) 0207 482 2496 Fax: 0207 209
4761. Mail:  womenstrike8m@server101.com www.globalwomenstrike.net

Saturday 31st

· Mass leaflet of Waterloo Station, midday-2pm
Waterloo Station's "reception centre" alongside the Eurostar Terminal is one
of the main symbols of the government's anti-asylum seeker apparatus.
Called by Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers. Details  info@defend-asylum.org

· Noise demo at Lindholme Removal/Detention Centre near Doncaster, 12 noon
The first demonstration to oppose this centre
Called by Lindholme Support Group (LSG)
 http://www.veggies.org.uk/calendar/lindholme0401.htm

· 2pm at HMP Hull, Hedon Road, Hull, HU9 5LS
Called by Hull Prisoner Support
HMP Hull has held many refugees over the years and the Hull group is
currently supporting the case of one detainee currently held there. Details:
 daendini@hotmail.com

· 12 noon-2pm Campsfield Detention Centre, Langford Lane, Kidlington,
120th monthly demonstration. Also afterwards at 3pm, Oxford town centre
Called by Campaign to Close Campsfield  http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk
Tel. 01865 558145

· 12 noon - 1pm "We Are All Asylum seekers!"
Kentish Town Road, London NW5. Women, children, men, immigrant and native, of
different religions/no religion, will the road to show our outrage at
government's repressive asylum policies which affect all of us. Contact: Women
of
Colour (Global Women's Strike) 0207 482 2496 Fax: 0207 209 4761. Mail:
 womenstrike8m@server101.com www.globalwomenstrike.net

· 2-3.30pm Church Street, near the Podium, Liverpool
Demonstration Against Fortress Europe
Called by Liverpool Committee Against Destitution for Asylum Seekers
Details:  lcad@merseymail.com

· morning, Bridgewater: "The War Against Asylum Seekers"
Bridgewater Peace Group 0776 034 3831  lauracostello@hotmail.com

Last Sunday's Burns Day demonstration outside Dungavel detention centre in
Scotland was part of the Europe-wide actions. Called by Ayrshire Friends of
Refugees.

A new map of detention centres in Europe-including those in the UK-compiled
by Migeurop can found at  http://pajol.eu.org/rubrique42.html

Barbed Wire Britain
- e-mail: info@barbedwirebritain.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.barbedwirebritain.org.uk

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

43 Demonstrations across Europe

29.01.2004 14:34

43 demonstrations will take place this Friday/Saturday across Europe to call for the end of immigration detention and respect for rights of refugees and other migrants.

Austria: Vienna.

Belgium: 2 in Brussels.

France: Paris, Lille, Perpignan, Nanterre, Nantes, Rennes, Amiens, Grenoble,
Palaiseau, Lyon, Calais, Marseille, Tours.

Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Bremen, Göttingen.

Italy: Rome, Bologna, Crotone, Caltanisetta (Sicily).

Portugal: Lisbon.

Spain: Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid.

Switzerland: Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Basle, Bern.

UK: Friday London 3, Saturday: London 2, Campsfield, Hull, Lindholme, Liverpool, Bridgewater. (more details  http://www.ncadc.org.uk/ )

Bill MacKeith of Barbed Wire Britain network to end detention said on the upcoming actions:
"This is a first! 43 demonstrations will bring together Europe-wide opposition to the inhuman practice of imprisoning people who migrate to Europe. It brings to the attention of the public the daily affront to human dignity and justice that is meted out by governments of the European Union to refugees and other migrants. This is usually passed over in silence. Immigration policy is a European issue, and the new Manifesto drawn up by migrant organisations in Europe will prove to be an historic document."

The actions have been organised following a call made by migrants' and supporting groups at the European Social Forum in Paris in November. The groups' manifesto Bringing Together the Struggles of Sans Papiers, Refugees and Migrants in Europe can be accessed @
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/letters/newszine42/manifesto.html

Or, for a full list of actions and the collective Manifesto @
 http://sanspapier.eu.ouvaton.org

Or Droits Devant!!
 tarowen@hotmail.com
Tel +33 (0)1 42 58 82 18

ncadc news service


Demo in Athens

29.01.2004 16:26

There will be demonstration - called by the immigrants forum - at Omonia Square in Athens at midday, as part of the Europe-wide day of action. Then there will be a march to the greek parliament.

As Athens hurries to complete building and transport infrastructure projects in time for the upcoming Olympic Games (August) the death rate among workers - many who are either illegals or with temporary documents - is increasing. Many workers have been given papers that allow them to work legally for the period before the Games, after which they will be deported.

lefteria

lefteria


correction to Greece - aThens demo details

30.01.2004 17:49

Just seen on Athens IMC that the demo is actually at 3.30pm on Saturday 31st, at Omonia Square, Athens.

See  http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=en&article_id=183152

lefteria