Skip to content or view screen version

Chinatown against immigration raids.

Guido | 19.10.2007 14:22 | Migration | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | London

On Thursday October 11th the Gerrard street area of Soho (better known as Chinatown) received some unwelcome guests. Dozens of immigration officers dressed in body armour and backed up by dozens of cops raided 5 Chinese restaurants and detained 49 people working in them. The people concerned have not been heard of since. Community leaders are furious about the raid describing it a victimization of an established law abiding community.

Some of those held were initially taken to Dover though their lawyers now been told that they are elsewhere in the immigration system. The lack of information is causing serious anger. It is thought that several individuals have been deported already.










One week on the people of Chinatown made their feelings very clear.

Every restaurant in Gerrard street was closed for an hour while the staff took part in a march and rally. Members of the wider Chinese community also attended in their hundreds to support the restaurant owners and those who were arrested.

Another thing that has been suggested was that this was just an easy target for an immigration service that are desperate meet the governments targets for deporting illegal migrants. Whatever the reason for the raid feelings are running high.

A meeting held in the Chinese community centre was attended by a very senior figure from the immigration service. However when people in the audience complained about victimization and the nature of the raid, the media were all thrown out. It seems that the immigration service will only explain themselves behind closed doors.

Guido