Erdogan family and TCAR resist deportation from Tyneside

Over 20 people participated and many people were leading chants. There was a strong feeling of anger but also of solidarity. When word came through that Nick Brown, the Erdogan family's MP was refusing to act on their behalf, the protesters were outraged, responding with the defiant chat 'Deportation is the Crime. Lock up Labour'.

Last night I talked to Pelin and encouraged the family to resist on the plane if the solicitor's injunction failed. Pelin's brother, Ibrahim was very courageous and refused to get on the plane. She said that before they showed any resistance the immigration were very nice to them but afterwards they stopped being nice. The immigration officers threatened the family, saying that if they refused to fly then they would not be allowed back to England for 7 years to see their sister but if they kept quiet then she might be able to get them a passport. Nuryhayet was not fooled by their bribery or blackmail and screamed on the plane until the pilot came and ordered the family off on the plane.

This means the family are still here!... but still in danger! The Labour MP Nick Brown refused to do anything to help the family. His assistant said that the legal course had finished and so there was nothing to be done. He could have made a representation to Liam Byrne or raised the case in parliament. He can still do this. TCAR is not having another meeting until Saturday so it will be up to volunteers for this case to decide how to respond to his refusal to help.

If you would like to talk to the family or to pass on messages of solidarity contact TCAR at  tynesidecarn@yahoo.co.uk.

If you wanted to come to the demonstration but didn't receive the email in time, you can also send us your mobile telephone number and receive text information about meetings and demonstrations.

If you can help the family in any of the following ways, please let me know:
- liasing with the solicitor to get the latest updates about the situation and reporting back by email.
- contacting the school to organise a petition against their removal.
- join the pledge of resistance working group, to help coordinate actions against dawn raids in the future.
- send out text messages to TCAR members (if given a list of numbers and a message to send) as TCAR has too many members for the secretaries to send out texts by ourself.

Remember, Together we are stronger! Together we will win!
Next meeting: 17th March, 1.30-3.30pm, St Thomas' Church, Haymarket. Spread the word.