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NCADC North West - News

Lizwane Ndlovu, Zimbabwean ex Yarl's Wood hunger-striker, died on Thursday
Many Campaigners in the North West supported the Zimbabwean hunger-strikers and participated in the 4th July 2005 picket outside British Airways in Manchester where we called on the Home Office to release all Zimbabwean immigration detainees. Campaigners have reported to NCADC that Lizwane Ndlovu, one of the original Zimbabwean detainees at Yarl's Wood who went on hunger strike there over the summer, died last Thursday 10th November 2005. Lizwane Ndlovu is reported to have been not been well since being released from detention in July. Campaigners say that she subsequently fell into a coma, and was hospitalised in Birmingham City Hospital who have confirmed Lizwane died there on Thursday last. We understand that Lizwane leaves two young children in Zimbabwe. Campaigners are calling for an investigation to establish if the conditions of Lizwane's detention in Yarl's Wood, or the effects of detention, may have contributed to her death. Meanwhile, Ugandan detainees who have been on hunger strike are still detained at Yarl's Wood, some of whom visitors describe as very sick.
Full details ;  http://www.ncadc.org.uk/newszine%2064/lizwane.htm

NCADC North West Events Listing is now on the NCADC website
Events in the North West + street-map - now available on www.ncadc.org.uk
Invitation from the organisers of the Trades Unions For Refugees Conference
Att: All Trades Unionists
Dear Colleagues,
You are invited to attend a conference on the 26th November (details below) supported by the Manchester branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, and the Mansoor Hassan Campaign.
The aim of this conference launch is to launch a campaign within the Trade Unions in order to get the TUC General Council to adopt an active policy of support for all refugees regardless of status. This policy of active support would cover different areas such as:
1. Campaign for benign change to the Asylum and Immigration Act.
2. Encourage member trade unions to recruit refugees appropriate to their stated trade/profession into their union.
3. Support any trade union that properly campaigns for the basic human rights & civil liberties of refugees in Britain.
Would you kindly seek the support your Branch/ Region/ Trades Council in this matter? We would of course like to list your union as one of our supporting trade unions.
Yours fraternally,
Bob Pounder
Contact : Bob  Pounder_bob.pounder@tesco.net / Mobile: 078 3755 8036
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers meets 1st Monday of every month
Venue : Alpha House, Refugee Education and Employment Project, Carver Street, Sheffield. The next meeting is on Monday 5th December followed by 9th January 2006.
Contact :  sheffcdas@btinternet.com or telephone Sue on 07913 701 740
NCADC North West - Events Listing
To all those with anti-deportation campaigns - below events listed because they are good ones to get signatures on petitions, or to find new supporters for your campaign group (or just interesting events !). Running an anti-deportation campaign means getting your feet on the streets !
Manchester city-centre map :  http://www.manchester.gov.uk/visitorcentre/images/maps/city_full.htm

Sunday 13th November - 10 am
Leafleting churches for Nov 19th Stop Deporting Children & Students demo
Meet at Chorlton Street Bus Station, Chortlton Street, Manchester
Contact : Emma - 0161 740 6504 /  ncadc-north-west@ncadc.org.uk

Sunday 13th November - 2 pm
Banner making session for Nov 19th Stop Deporting Children & Students demo - All welcome !
Meet at The Basement, 24 Lever Street, Manchester city centre (unfortunately this venue is not full accessible and is accessed by a flight of stairs)
Contact : Emma - 0161 740 6504 /  ncadc-north-west@ncadc.org.uk

Tuesday 15th November
No Borders Leeds kick-off meeting
The Common Place in Leeds City Centre
Support with anti-deportation campaigns and general campaigning / education around asylum / immigration issues.
Film screening + open discussion, including plans for a Magical Mystery Tour, demos outside our local Home Office Immigration dept. and some media work as well as providing training and support for anti-deportation campaigns. There will be a website and other stuff soon!
Contact : Catherine Tonge -  katieplum75@yahoo.co.uk

Friday November 18th - 10am to 12.00 midday
Social Morning
St George's Church, Abbey Hey Lane (opposite the Prince of Wales pub), Manchester
Are you seeking asylum or a refugee ? Do you have a friend who is ? Members of the Manchester Committee
to Defend Asylum Seekers can offer support. Everyone living locally is welcome.
Contact : Sarah on 231 2201

Friday 18th November - 8 pm
Benefit Night - Perparim Demaj Must Stay Campaign
At The Southern Room Upstairs, Mauldeth Road/Nell Lane, Chorlton-c-Hardy
Abina with Rumba Masses, Little Engine, Urban Rockstars 2005 Winners
Bar 'til 11pm. There will be BINGO, raffles and much more
You are invited to this great Social Event £5/£4 concessions
Tickets Ann 0161 861 8872

Saturday November 19th - Manchester 11 am
Stop deporting children and students - Day of Action in Manchester
11am - 12 am assemble at Manchester University Student Union (MUSU) on Oxford Rd, Manchester - Refreshments, banner and umbrella making, welcome.
12 noon - March led by the children down Oxford Rd into the Peace Gardens
1.30 pm Rally in the Peace Gardens with children, youth and students speaking, as well as others
Followed by Young People's Forus in the Town Hall, Albert Square (to be confirmed)
Contact :  mark.krantz@ntlworld.com

Sunday 20th November
Universal Day of the Child
The anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Only 2 countries have not signed this convention (Somalia and the US)

Monday 21st November - 6pm
Workshop : "what is an anti-deportation campaign?" focusing on disabled asylum seekers
GMCDP, BEVC, Aked Close, Ardwick, Manchester, M12 4AN
Contact : Annette Lin -  annette@gmcdp.com

Friday 25th November - 8pm to 12 mid-night
Benefit night - Manchester Committee To Defend Asylum Seekers
Longfords Athletic Club, Longford Park, Ryebank Rd, off Edge Lane, Chorlton, Manchester (Fully Accessible)
DJ + Live Music ; Irish, Blues/Jazz, Contemporary Vocals and Other Undiscovered Local Talent !
Tickets - Waged £5.00 minimum donation, Unwaged £2.00, Asylum seekers free
This event is in aid of our festive social for asylum seekers and refugees. We are also collecting gifts for children, teenagers and adults. If you have any to donate please contact us to arrange collection or if necessary bring on the night. Please make any cheques payable to "Defend Asylum Seekers" and post to Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers, C/o Po Box 111, Chorlton Manchester M21 0YU - thanks !
Contact ; 07765 122 829

Saturday 26th November - 12.00pm to 5pm
The Trades Unions For Refugees Conference
Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess St, Manchester, M1 6DD
Supported by: Lord Mayor of Manchester Afzal Khan, Jeremy Dear General Secretary National Union of Journalists, Matt Wrack General Secretary Fire Brigades Union, Banner Theatre, Manchester branch of NUJ. National Coalition of Anti Deportation Campaigns, Exiled Journalists Network, Mansoor Hassan Campaign, EXILE, Birmingham Anti Racist Campaign, Councilor Michael Keith Leader Tower Hamlets Council.
Contact : 0161 237 5020 /  nujmanchester@nuj.org.uk or Bob  Pounder_bob.pounder@tesco.net / Mobile: 078 3755 8036

Tuesday 29th November - 7pm
No Borders planning meeting.
Meet at The Basement, 24 Lever Street, Manchester city centre (unfortunately this venue is not full accessible and is accessed by a flight of stairs)
Contact ;  mick@undercurrent.org

Saturday 3rd December - 10am to 4pm
"Living Ghosts" - A national conference on destitution amongst asylum seekers in the UK
Brunswick Parish Church, Brunswick St, Manchester, M13 9YX (City centre, 5 minute ride on the 192 bus from Piccadilly Station) . 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels unawares' Hebrews 13:2 How can the church engage ? What are the challenges ? What are the solutions?
Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council will speak on destitution in the UK + Speakers from projects and those who have experienced destitution. Workshops on: Engaging churches, Campaigning, Accommodation, Destitution projects, Understanding legislation, Health and mental health, Advocacy, Worship and spirituality. Lunch will be provided. Costs: £15 if funded by organisation; £10 individuals; £2- £5 students and unwaged; Free to refugees and asylum-seekers. Cheques made payable to "Action in Communities" (write ·Living Ghosts conference· on reverse of cheque) and send to Sally Richmond, ECSR, The Welcome Centre, 105-107 Maple Road, Penge, SE20 8LP
Contact: 020 8778 7788 /  sally@ecsr.org.uk

Monday 5th December
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers - campaign meeting
Alpha House, Refugee Education and Employment Project, Carver Street, Sheffield.
Contact :  sheffcdas@btinternet.com or telephone Sue on 07913 701 740

Monday 5th December - 7.30pm
Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers - Planning meeting.
Friends Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester.
Contact : Mark -  mark.krantz@ntlworld.com

Friday December 16th - 10am to 12.00 midday
Social Morning
St George's Church, Abbey Hey Lane (opposite the Prince of Wales pub), Manchester
Are you seeking asylum or a refugee ? Do you have a friend who is ? Members of the Manchester Committee
to Defend Asylum Seekers can offer support. Everyone living locally is welcome.
Contact : Sarah on 231 2201

Sunday 17th December - 1pm to 4pm
FESTIVE Solidarity Social organised by Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers.
Friends Meeting House, Mount St, Manchester. We provide a welcome, advice, food and drink. Travel costs refunded for those in need.
Contact :  mark.krantz@ntlworld.com / 07765 122829

Saturday / Sunday 17th + 18th December
International "DAYS OF ACTION, DAYS OF OUTRAGE, DAYS OF RIGHTS FOR SANS PAPIERS"
Called by No One Is Illegal. 18th Dec. the launch of the International Convention of the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Their Families (New York 1990). The Mediterranean Social Forum has called a day of action. Local campaigns could look at events that reach out to trades unions. Tell us what events your group is organising. Contact - Email:  info@noii.org.uk / www.noii.org.uk. No One Is Illegal,_Bolton Socialist Club,_16 Wood Street,_Bolton, BL1 1DY.

Monday 9th January
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers - campaign meeting
Alpha House, Refugee Education and Employment Project, Carver Street, Sheffield.
Contact :  sheffcdas@btinternet.com or telephone Sue on 07913 701 740

Saturday 28th January - 11am to 4pm
Conference : Defy Section 9 !
Central Methodist Central Hall, Oldham St, Manchester
Section 9 is a new power under the 2004 Asylum and Immigration Act which seeks to 'influence failed asylum seekers' to voluntarily return' (Tony McNulty) by withdrawing all state support and threatening to take children of 'failed' asylum seekers into care. It has been described as 'brutal' and 'wholly inappropriate' by the British Association of Social Workers, as a matter of 'grave concern' and 'really belonging to an earlier century' by the Association of Directors of Social Services and condemned by human rights organisations such as Liberty and Trades Unions such as Unison and the National Union of Teachers. 87% of Manchester Evening News readers have supported 10 Greater Manchester Councils who are refusing to implement Section 9. This conference is aimed at trades unionists, workers, activists- in both the refugee and wider community- teachers and students in schools, who can form communities of resistance against deportation, and other members of the public who want to further organise this resistance, not only to Section 9 but against Section 10, which will force 'hard case' failed asylum seekers into virtual slavery to work for benefits, and against all aspects of enforcing immigration controls.
Contact : Jason Travis, Bolton NUT - 07976 476181 /  jason2inethiopia@yahoo.co.uk

1st February 2006
Regional conference on Destitute Asylum Seekers
Liverpool
More details to follow as soon as possible


Regular Events

Every 3rd Friday in a month - 10am - 12.00 noon
Social Mornings
St George's Church Abbey Hey Lane (opposite the Prince of Wales pub), Manchester
Are you seeking asylum or a refugee ? Do you have a friend who is ? Members of the Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers can offer support. Everyone living locally is welcome.
Next Social Mornings : October 21st, November 18th, December 16th
For information ring Sarah on 0161 231 2201

EVERY MONDAY - 6 to 7 pm
Save Olive and Her Family campaign meetings
Broadwalk Library, Salford Precinct. "Olive and her 3 children fled to the UK in 2003 from Rwanda because they were persecuted. They live in Salford. From the Tutsi ethnicity, about 30 people from her family were killed in the 1994 genocide when approx 1.000.000 people were murdered. The family's applications have been refused. Please come and hear the family's story". Contact : Linda on 07868 703 928
Sheffield No Borders Collective
e-mail:  sheffield-noborders@lists.aktivix.org
Homepage:  http://wiki.sheffieldsocialforum.org.uk/No_Borders
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers meets the first Monday of every month
Venue : Alpha House, Refugee Education and Employment Project, Carver Street, Sheffield.
Contact :  sheffcdas@btinternet.com or telephone Sue on 07913 701 740