Oxfordshire residents went to Campsfield House Removal Centre near Kidlington today to offer support for the detainees who are on hunger strike over conditions inside and are grieving the suicide of one Zimbabwean man yesterday morning. They will go there again tomorrow.
(See yesterday's article which refers to other coverage here:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/06/315021.html
and photos here:
http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/06/315107.html
Oxfordshire locals, supported by people from London, went to the detention centre located next to Kidlington airport and called out messages of support to the people locked inside. There were heart-warming replies from behind the tall steel fence.
The Zimbabweans held at Campsfield say they face death or torture if they return to Zimbabwe. They also report gross mistreatment and racism in the detention centre, like many people who have been held in Campsfield. They started a hunger strike on Wednesday the 22nd of June. The strike was organised by the United Network of Detained Zimbabweans (see http://www.ncadc.org.uk/) and includes Zimabweans in detention all over the UK. In addition, all of the prisoners inside Campsfield are on hunger strike today.
A local Kurdish-speaking man climbed a tree to be seen by the people inside and called to them in Kurdish, which lifted some people's spirits noticeably. He also called out in English, saying "Keep struggling, keep on going! Don't give up! Don't suicide! We are working out here for you."
During the 11 year history of Campsfield House, the fences have been made taller, topped with razor-wire and covered with solid sheeting to prevent interactions between supportive locals and the prisoners. It is feared that the detainees feel they have no support in the local community. People now bring kites on windy days and shout loudly and make noise and music to make their support known to the people inside.
People go to Campsfield House on the first Satruday of every month at 12 noon and they have made extra trips this month because of the desperation evident from the fact that a young man killed himself there yesterday morning. They will go tomorrow at 11am and as many times as they can while the hunger strike continues.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/06/315021.html and photos here:
http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/06/315107.html Oxfordshire locals, supported by people from London, went to the detention centre located next to Kidlington airport and called out messages of support to the people locked inside. There were heart-warming replies from behind the tall steel fence.
The Zimbabweans held at Campsfield say they face death or torture if they return to Zimbabwe. They also report gross mistreatment and racism in the detention centre, like many people who have been held in Campsfield. They started a hunger strike on Wednesday the 22nd of June. The strike was organised by the United Network of Detained Zimbabweans (see
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/) and includes Zimabweans in detention all over the UK. In addition, all of the prisoners inside Campsfield are on hunger strike today. A local Kurdish-speaking man climbed a tree to be seen by the people inside and called to them in Kurdish, which lifted some people's spirits noticeably. He also called out in English, saying "Keep struggling, keep on going! Don't give up! Don't suicide! We are working out here for you."
During the 11 year history of Campsfield House, the fences have been made taller, topped with razor-wire and covered with solid sheeting to prevent interactions between supportive locals and the prisoners. It is feared that the detainees feel they have no support in the local community. People now bring kites on windy days and shout loudly and make noise and music to make their support known to the people inside.
People go to Campsfield House on the first Satruday of every month at 12 noon and they have made extra trips this month because of the desperation evident from the fact that a young man killed himself there yesterday morning. They will go tomorrow at 11am and as many times as they can while the hunger strike continues.
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