Sleepouts across Britain, to highlight destitution of people refused aylum

Please join us
SLEEP OUT IN SOLIDARITY WITH DESTITUTE REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS

Friday 22 June 2007 starting at 5.00pm until 9.00am Saturday 23 June,
St Philip's Cathedral Churchyard, Colmore Row, Birmingham
Remember the Dead - Justice for the Living

On Friday 22nd June, at the end of Refugee Week, people from many different communities will be coming together to protest against British government treatment of asylum seekers and remembering those who have died while seeking asylum here. The protest has been organised by the Birmingham Anti Racist Campaign (ARC) and sponsored by Celebrating Sanctuary, the organisers of Refugee Week.

Remember the Dead - Candlelight Vigil for 40 Asylum Suicides
The first part of the protest will be a candlelight vigil in the grounds of the cathedral to remember those victims of British immigration policy who took their own lives and to pledge our determination to stop future abuses. Canon Bob Wilkes, the Dean of the cathedral, will preside over the ceremony.

Refused asylum-seekers have their accommodation and meagre benefits taken away, often finding themselves homeless and destitute. Many suffer grave social and health problems and some wrestle with thoughts of suicide. These pressures have driven at least 40 asylum seekers to kill themselves since 2000.

We will be holding the vigil to commemorate their lives, and to pledge our determination to campaign for justice for the living. The ceremony will take place at 6.30pm in the cathedral grounds. Please come early for the press call at 5pm if you can.

Justice for the Living - Sleep out in solidarity with destitute asylum seekers
This protest against Home Office attacks on asylum seekers will include music, speeches and food and will start once the vigil has ended. Part of a countrywide action called for this weekend, the Birmingham protest includes supporters of the Still Human Still Here campaign including Church Action On Poverty, the Refugee Council and Amnesty International UK.

A growing number of asylum-seekers are being refused the right to stay in the UK, because of media witch-hunts and knee-jerk Home Office responses.
Refused asylum-seekers have their accommodation and benefits - which are already below the poverty-line - taken away, and are left homeless and destitute.

We will join with members of the city's many refugee communities in an act of solidarity with those for whom sleeping rough is a daily reality. All asylum-seekers, and all those who deplore their treatment by this government, are welcome. During the evening we will be collecting money for the Asylum-Seekers' Destitution Fund administered by B-MAG, an anti-poverty agency, which provides valuable support to vulnerable people.

Food not Bombs will be providing food and drink. This year we will be using cardboard boxes as well as tents for shelter. We will be making shelters during the evening so please try and bring some boxes with you. It's OK to collapse them. Don't forget sleeping bags and warm clothing! Even if you cannot stay for the sleep out, please make this a fantastic turnout by joining us for the earlier part of the evening.

JOIN US! Together we can make a difference.
For further information please contact Bob on 0772 268 5130 or Dave on
0121 772 6700 or  birminghamantiracistcampaign@yahoo.co.uk