Birmingham Refugee Sleep-out: Remember the dead, justice for the living
ARC | 21.06.2007 23:50 | Migration | Birmingham
On Friday, 22nd June, as part of Refugee Week and the national ‘Still Human Still Here’ campaign, the Birmingham Anti-Racist Campaign (ARC) will be protesting against British government treatment of asylum seekers and remembering those who have died while seeking asylum here. The protest has been organised by the Birmingham Anti Racist Campaign (ARC) and sponsored by Celebrating Sanctuary, the organisers of Refugee Week.
SLEEPOUT IN SOLIDARITY WITH DESTITIUTE REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
5.00PM, Friday 22 nd JUNE, St. Philip’s Cathedral Churchyard Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
SLEEPOUT IN SOLIDARITY WITH DESTITIUTE REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
5.00PM, Friday 22 nd JUNE, St. Philip’s Cathedral Churchyard Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
Remember the Dead: Candlelight Vigil for 40 Asylum Suicides
The first part of the protest will be a candlelight vigil in the grounds of the cathedral to remember those victims of British immigration policy who took their own lives and to pledge our determination to stop future abuses. The ceremony will start at 5.45pm and Canon Bob Wilkes, the Dean of the cathedral, will preside over the ceremony.
Press call will be at 5.00pm.
Following the vigil and speakers, there will be food and music throughout the evening.
BABAMUNDI – 15 strong, multi-cultural, young peoples, Moseley based, Afro-Brazilian influenced drumming band.
DAHOLL ENSEMBLE - Traditional, contemporary and original Kurdish and Middle Eastern music.
Refused asylum seekers have their accommodation and meagre benefits taken away, often finding themselves homeless and destitute. Many suffer grave social and health problems and some wrestle with thoughts of suicide. These pressures have driven at least 40 asylum seekers to kill themselves since 2000.
We will be holding the vigil to commemorate their lives, and to pledge our determination to campaign for justice for the living.
Justice for the Living: Sleep out in solidarity with destitute asylum seekers
This protest against Home Office attacks on asylum seekers will include music, speeches and food and will start once the vigil has ended. Part of a countrywide action called for this weekend, the Birmingham protest includes supporters of the Still Human Still Here campaign including Church Action On Poverty, the Refugee Council and Amnesty International UK. This year we will be using cardboard boxes as well as tents for shelter. We will be making shelters during the evening.
This protest against Home Office attacks on asylum seekers will include music, speeches and food. All asylum seekers, refugees, and those who support their right to remain in the UK, are welcome.
SUPPORTERS LIST:
Refugee Council, Amnesty International UK, Church Action on Poverty, ASIRT, Birmingham No Borders, Birmingham Trades Union Council, Celebrating Sanctuary, NCADC, South Asian Alliance, Warwickshire Quakers Asylum Group, West Mids PSC, Unison B’ham branch, Central African Development Action, African Community for Integration in Britain, All Refugees United Wolverhampton, Comedian Lenny Henry, Playwright David Lodge
For more information or to arrange interviews please contact:
ARC PRESS OFFICER: Zirak Hamad
Email:
zirak_music@hotmail.com
Tel: 0791 614 4274
ARC:
Birmingham’s Anti-Racist Campaign (ARC) was formed in 2004 to fight against racism and fascism and in particular focusing on campaigning for the rights of migrants to this country past and present. ARC opposes immigration controls and believe that the terrible conditions that asylum seekers are facing is a consequence of our government’s draconian policies towards asylum seekers.
The first part of the protest will be a candlelight vigil in the grounds of the cathedral to remember those victims of British immigration policy who took their own lives and to pledge our determination to stop future abuses. The ceremony will start at 5.45pm and Canon Bob Wilkes, the Dean of the cathedral, will preside over the ceremony.
Press call will be at 5.00pm.
Following the vigil and speakers, there will be food and music throughout the evening.
BABAMUNDI – 15 strong, multi-cultural, young peoples, Moseley based, Afro-Brazilian influenced drumming band.
DAHOLL ENSEMBLE - Traditional, contemporary and original Kurdish and Middle Eastern music.
Refused asylum seekers have their accommodation and meagre benefits taken away, often finding themselves homeless and destitute. Many suffer grave social and health problems and some wrestle with thoughts of suicide. These pressures have driven at least 40 asylum seekers to kill themselves since 2000.
We will be holding the vigil to commemorate their lives, and to pledge our determination to campaign for justice for the living.
Justice for the Living: Sleep out in solidarity with destitute asylum seekers
This protest against Home Office attacks on asylum seekers will include music, speeches and food and will start once the vigil has ended. Part of a countrywide action called for this weekend, the Birmingham protest includes supporters of the Still Human Still Here campaign including Church Action On Poverty, the Refugee Council and Amnesty International UK. This year we will be using cardboard boxes as well as tents for shelter. We will be making shelters during the evening.
This protest against Home Office attacks on asylum seekers will include music, speeches and food. All asylum seekers, refugees, and those who support their right to remain in the UK, are welcome.
SUPPORTERS LIST:
Refugee Council, Amnesty International UK, Church Action on Poverty, ASIRT, Birmingham No Borders, Birmingham Trades Union Council, Celebrating Sanctuary, NCADC, South Asian Alliance, Warwickshire Quakers Asylum Group, West Mids PSC, Unison B’ham branch, Central African Development Action, African Community for Integration in Britain, All Refugees United Wolverhampton, Comedian Lenny Henry, Playwright David Lodge
For more information or to arrange interviews please contact:
ARC PRESS OFFICER: Zirak Hamad
Email:
zirak_music@hotmail.com Tel: 0791 614 4274
ARC:
Birmingham’s Anti-Racist Campaign (ARC) was formed in 2004 to fight against racism and fascism and in particular focusing on campaigning for the rights of migrants to this country past and present. ARC opposes immigration controls and believe that the terrible conditions that asylum seekers are facing is a consequence of our government’s draconian policies towards asylum seekers.
ARC