Over 70 people took part in the Speak out against Racism and Deportations at Angel, Islington, London on 13 June. This event was initiated by Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! (FRFI) London and attended by a variety of organisations, united in struggle. The message was clear:

* Britain’s immigration laws are inherently racist;
* while the BNP pledges mass deportation, the Labour government is already carrying it out;
* we must stand together against racism and deportations;
* fighting racism in Britain cannot be separated from international solidarity with those fighting back all over the world, from Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, to Cuba and Latin America.

The rally pledged that no one must be snatched in silence and applauded the campaigning work of the family and friends of John Freddy Suarez, whose deportation was prevented at the last minute by the on 28 May when the family went en masse to the airport. The campaign continues, with an imminent application for John Freddy to be released from detention on bail. Fernando, a young relative of John Freddy’s read out the family’s moving letter to Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas.

On 2 June, Bolivian activists Diana and Marcelo were also due to be deported, having been detained six days earlier and taken to Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre. Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! supporters, who campaigned in support of Diana and Marcelo, were inspired by the John Freddy campaign. Again deportation was stayed at the last minute and the comrades were released on bail. Marcelo addressed the Speak Out about the importance of campaigning and told the rally that the public has no idea what goes on in detention centres and that everyone must be more aware and take action, especially with regard to the detention of children.

Sam from Tyneside Campaign for Refugees spoke of their work in the north east of England. Mafaifie spoke as a black migrant to Britain and the struggle against racism in British society. Farah from Toronto No Borders led us in chants of ‘Justice for immigrants! Freedom for refugees!’ and spoke of actions to reclaim the city, the communities, the buildings and the spaces as they belong to the people. Chiara from No Borders London and No one is illegal brought us up to date on detention centres and planned actions. Katrina from Hands off Venezuela pointed out the biased racist nature of the British media. Karen from the Coalition against Deportations to Iraq updated us on the situation in Iraq, the millions who are dead and many more millions who have been displaced, and reminded us of Britain’s illegal war in Iraq and what faces people deported back to Iraq. Christina, whose husband is detained in Campsfield Removal Centre, made a very moving speech about how the devastating effect his deportation will have on her young family.

FRFI speakers from London, Manchester, Glasgow, Dundee and Newcastle made the link between the murderous role of British imperialism abroad and racism at home. Mike from Dundee spoke of the vicious role of the multinationals, particularly Shell and its role in the murder of Ken Saro Wiwa in Nigeria, while David from London reminded that it was the 30th anniversary of the funeral of Blair Peach, who was murdered by the Metropolitan police on an anti-fascist demonstration in Southall in April 1979. State murders continue to this day and the rally received a message of solidarity from Janet Alder, whose brother Christopher was murdered by Humberside police in 1998 and is still fighting for justice.

Helen from Rock around the Blockade spoke about the incredible achievements of the Cuban revolution in literacy, education, health, access to culture, and the inspirational role that Cuba is playing in the revolutionary movement across Latin American.

At the end of the rally we were treated to the inspiring conscious lyrics of MC Lowkey on the defiance and strength of the Palestinian resistance. Long Live Palestine – Long Live Gaza!

The event ended with a street theatre performance about a Congolese man coming to Britain, which clearly and simply illustrated the link between British involvement in plundering the resources of countries like Congo – such as Coltan, which is used in mobile phones - and Britain’s vicious treatment of asylum seekers who flee from countries wrecked by this plunder.

NO DETENTION!
NO DEPORTATIONS!
NO TO STATE RACISM!
SUPPORT ASYLUM SEEKERS AND MIGRANT WORKERS!
FIGHT RACISM! FIGHT IMPERIALISM!