A Week of Action Against the Deportation Machine
imc-uk-features | 08.06.2010 21:03 | Migration
The first week of June saw a European Week of Action Against the Deportation Machine. Various events, protests and actions took place throughout the UK and other European countries with a common message: "Stop deportations! No to Fortress Europe! Freedom of movement for all!"
By trying to widen the scope and diversity of actions and groups involved, the Week tried to draw attention to the fact that anti-deportation is not a 'single issue campaign'. "People choose or are forced to migrate for a variety or reasons, from wars and armed conflicts fuelled by the arms trade and western interests, through poverty, exploitation, discrimination, gender oppression, domestic and state violence, to climate change."
Reports: Protest against deportation at Communications House reporting centre, London | Protest against deportation at Becket House reporting centre, London | Banner-drops Against Deportation in Cardiff | UKBA D-locked in Derby | Deportation travel agents awarded 'deportation profiteer of the year' title | Demo against deportation in Parliament Sq | Callout
Links: Stop Deportation | No Borders | NCADC
Here's a round-up of some of the events, protests and actions that took place in the UK.
Tuesday, 1st June
In London, two protests were held at immigration reporting centres, one at Communications House on Old Street, and the other at Becket House near London Bridge from 3-4pm. The demos were organised by Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! and No Borders London respectively.
In Oxford, the Campaign to Close Campsfield organised a public meeting that was addressed by ex-detainees. The campaign had also organised a demonstration at Campsfield detention centre on 29th May, calling for its closure.
Wednesday, 2nd June
In Cardiff, No Borders South Wales did a number of banner-drops in the city centre and opposite the UKBA office and Cardiff Prison.
In London, No Borders London organised an open discussion about 'challenging deportations: past, present and future', which was attended by many anti-deportation campaigns and groups.
Thursday, 3rd June
Activists from Stop Deportation presented Carlson Wagonlit Travel with a 'Deportation Profiteer of the Year' award at its main offices in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire [video].
The National Coalition of of Anti-deportation Campaigns (NCAD) also launched an online campaign against CWT that morning, involving emails, phone calls and faxes.
In Derby, the UK Border Agency offices were D-locked the night before and a written message left.
Friday, 4th June
The National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns launched a one-day vonline campaign against British Airways for being 'a frequent flier of forced removals'.
In Brighton, G4S 'voluntarily' withdrew from the Brighton & Hove City Future Job Fair after various campaign groups issued an official complaint to the job fair sponsors about G4S's horrendous human rights abuses against migrants.
Saturday, 5th June
In London, a demo against deportation was held in Parliament Square, next to the Democracy Village. At the same time, the SOAS Detainee Support Group organised a march and carnival against the detention of children. In the evening, the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees held a social evening in solidarity with Iraqi and Kurdish detainees facing deportation.
In Oxford, the Campaign to Close Campsfield held a street stall in the city centre.
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