Skip to content or view screen version

Canterbury April 3rd protest to defend asylum seekers

Ragged Robin & King Mob | 04.04.2005 14:17 | Anti-racism | Migration | South Coast

Around 50 people turned out on a sunny Sunday to demand the freedom of movement and the right to stay for everyone. The protesters were largely old Christian ladies and members of local migrant organisations. They held a vigil in front of the Cathedral.

Lots of people spoke through a megaphone, denouncing immigration laws and deportation practices. A few local school kids from Afghanistan were there as well, who are threatened with removal as soon as they turn 18. Protesters also included friends of those failed asylum seekers who have already been detained in the Dover Detention Centre. Banners and placards read: Defend Asylum Seekers, No Border/No Nation/Stop Deportation, and All Nations are Prison Camps!
The turnout of 50 people is phenomenal for Canterbury. Just think about it: 500 in London, 50 in Canterbury!!! Sorry, forgot to take pictures.

Ragged Robin & King Mob

Comments

Hide the following comment

it's a beginning!

04.04.2005 21:02

Well, last year we had about 40 people at Waterloo doing a leafleting and a bit of street theatre - some campaigners were pretending to be police and others illegal immigants, the police were arresting them. The Wombles dropped a banner saying 'all borders are prisons' right on the Eurostar tunnel, that was brilliant. This year we had 500 or more people in London doing a march and rally, and we coud have had more if we started organising earlier. So 50 in Canterbury could be a good beginning. I don't quite see the point of targeting the Cathedral.

chiara