The Congo Support Network held a demonstration on 13 March 2007 at Dallas Court Reporting Centre, Salford Quays, in opposition to the recent and continuing deportations of Congolese asylum seekers to war-torn DRCongo. It was attended by over 100 Congolese and Libyan refugees, and supported by anti-racist activists from Manchester FRFI. It was meant to run from 12-2pm.
To begin with everyone assembled in the road opposite the main entrance to Dallas Court before marching round to the back, where kidnapped asylum seekers are snuck out in blue vans to detention centres. Soon after, the crowd assembled at the entrance and the demonstartors held a banner completely across the doors. For the next 20 minutes there were anti-imperialist speeches, attacking imperialist Britain not just for deportations, but for creating the very conditions (poverty, war, hunger, etc.) that force people to flee countries such as DRCongo in the first place. The ongoing theft of DRC's natural resources by British, US, Belgian, French and German companies is well documented, by the UN no less.
The entrance to Dallas Court was then blockaded by the brave protesters, before being forced back by the police. The refugees chanted: 'SHUT DOWN DALLAS COURT!' and 'NO DEPORTATIONS!' throughout, along with many chants and songs in French.
At around 1:30pm news emerged that Rosetta, a female Congolese asylum seeker who had had to 'report', had been kidnapped at Dallas Court while we were outside protesting! The demonstration began chanting for her release. Information from the police emerged, that Rosetta had been detained and was going to be taken somewhere to be 'held overnight' and assured us that deportation 'would not happen within 72 hours'. In solidarity, the protesters announced that they would extend their protest and stay until Rosetta was released. They chanted for the next 2 hours and the atmosphere was electric.
Black man unarrested!
The racist police attempted to arrest a Congolese man who, according to them, had 'picked up a brick' or 'other object' before entering the crowd outside Dallas Court. As he was dragged off towards the police van by two officers, one at each arm, the crowd swarmed around and dragged him from their grasp, thus preventing an arrest. The police didn’t dare attempt to re-arrest the protester!
The organisers of the demonstration, completely ignored the demands of those present when talking to the police. After the protesters had chanted for Rosetta’s immediate release, the organisers asked for 'the right to know where she is being moved to... so we can get people to visit the sister.' There was vocal opposition among some sections of the crowd to this capitulation. It was the same old lies and betrayal. But they cannot hold back the movement for ever. There will be another demonstration on 26 March 2007, 12-2pm.
Rosetta is still in detention. Release all detainees! Demonstrate 26 March 2007. Close down Dallas Court!
Retrieved from "
http://www.asylum-seekers-defence.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=CONGOLESE_REFUGEES_BLOCKADE_DALLAS_COURT_KIDNAPPING_CENTRE%21"
The entrance to Dallas Court was then blockaded by the brave protesters, before being forced back by the police. The refugees chanted: 'SHUT DOWN DALLAS COURT!' and 'NO DEPORTATIONS!' throughout, along with many chants and songs in French.
At around 1:30pm news emerged that Rosetta, a female Congolese asylum seeker who had had to 'report', had been kidnapped at Dallas Court while we were outside protesting! The demonstration began chanting for her release. Information from the police emerged, that Rosetta had been detained and was going to be taken somewhere to be 'held overnight' and assured us that deportation 'would not happen within 72 hours'. In solidarity, the protesters announced that they would extend their protest and stay until Rosetta was released. They chanted for the next 2 hours and the atmosphere was electric.
Black man unarrested!
The racist police attempted to arrest a Congolese man who, according to them, had 'picked up a brick' or 'other object' before entering the crowd outside Dallas Court. As he was dragged off towards the police van by two officers, one at each arm, the crowd swarmed around and dragged him from their grasp, thus preventing an arrest. The police didn’t dare attempt to re-arrest the protester!
The organisers of the demonstration, completely ignored the demands of those present when talking to the police. After the protesters had chanted for Rosetta’s immediate release, the organisers asked for 'the right to know where she is being moved to... so we can get people to visit the sister.' There was vocal opposition among some sections of the crowd to this capitulation. It was the same old lies and betrayal. But they cannot hold back the movement for ever. There will be another demonstration on 26 March 2007, 12-2pm.
Rosetta is still in detention. Release all detainees! Demonstrate 26 March 2007. Close down Dallas Court!
Retrieved from "
http://www.asylum-seekers-defence.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=CONGOLESE_REFUGEES_BLOCKADE_DALLAS_COURT_KIDNAPPING_CENTRE%21" 
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