12 Noon Opposite Downing Street
Aegis Trust, Darfur Union - 200 Darfuri refused asylum seekers + Thousands of Brits (hopefully)
OPPOSITE DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL - 12 NOON, FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER
Aegis Trust's Protect Darfur campaign is holding a rally in Westminster to demonstrate to the government that we will not tolerate their inaction in the face of genocide in Darfur. The rally is organised jointly with the Darfur Union, which is a social and humanitarian advocacy group for the UK Darfuri community. Come and join us!
WHEN? 12 Noon - 3pm, FRIDAY 16th DECEMBER
WHERE? On Whitehall opposite Downing Street
The demonstration will begin on Whitehall opposite Downing Street. It will move down Whitehall to Parliament Square. It will end at the Home Office on Romney Street. A map of the demonstration route is available at www.protectdarfur.org\Pages\Campaign_Files\December_2005_Demo.htm
Delegations will go to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Home Office to hand in letters to Government Ministers, as the demonstrators hold banners and chant outside. Adapted Christmas Carols will also be sung.
This Christmas over 2 million Darfuris will continue to starve in
refugee camps, at risk from violent attack and unable to return to their homes. The British government thinks it is doing enough, but the refugees' lives are in great danger with thousands dying every month. They must be protected with a bigger peacekeeping force which has the backing of the United Nations.
Many Darfuris who have managed to escape to Britain have been refused asylum, stripped of benefits and accommodation, and disallowed to work. This adds to the dreadful suspense of the ever-present risk of arrest
and deportation back to Sudan, where they may be tortured or killed. Bearing in mind these people are already trying to deal with grief at the loss of many loved ones, not to mention post-traumatic stress, the Home Office' treatment of them is unacceptable in the extreme. Darfuris in Britain must be granted asylum until the killings end.
Please contact Jonathan for more information and if you're planning to
attend the rally.
CONTACT: Jonathan Bower 07922 662122
Please forward this email to friends colleagues and family.
See you there!
The Protect Darfur Team
www.protectdarfur.org