The UK Civil Rights Caravan continued its campaign against racism and for full rights for asylum seekers.
On October 6-8, the Caravan traveled to Exeter, Plymouth and Bristol where hundreds joined anti-voucher pickets, demonstrations, a press conference, anti-racist concerts and public meetings. Several media outlets covered the events. Suresh Grover, Chair of the National Civil Rights Movement and Maryam Namazie, were interviewed live on a BBC regional talk show.
On October 14, over 800 people joined the national demonstration against racism in London. Sam Azad and Dashty Jamal spoke on behalf of the Iranian
and Iraqi Federations.
On October 20-22, the Caravan traveled to Margate and Dover. Given that many asylum seekers in Margate do not have access to attorneys, the Caravan went with an attorney to assess the situation and agreed to return on a regular basis to provide legal advice. A vigil was held in Dover for the 58 Chinese who were found suffocated because of fortress Europe.
On October 27-29, the Caravan traveled to Coventry and Manchester. Given the rise in racist attacks on asylum seekers, representatives of the Caravan provided asylum seekers with information on filing grievances
against such attacks. Rather than assist the asylum seekers and arrest those responsible, the police have advised the asylum seekers not to leave their homes after 6pm. A support group was established in Coventry to deal with racist attacks. In Manchester, over two hundred people attended a public meeting and a support group was established. Speakers at the public
meeting included Sam Azad and Dashty Jamal of the Iranian and Iraqi Federations and Janet Alder, the sister of a black man killed in police custody.
Though the Caravan's month-long tour has ended, the practical support created for asylum seekers in various cities will continue. The Caravan is already planning bi-weekly trips with attorneys and translators to assist
asylum seekers in their asylum applications in Margate and will return to Coventry on November 17 to assist asylum seekers in developing a strategy for challenging racist attacks.
WHY AM I ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS CARAVAN?
- Jamal
'I fled from repression in Iran. Many of my family members were executed or killed by the regime. I was in danger myself. The Islamic Republic of Iran stones people to death for consenting sexual relations, lashes women for improper veiling and youth for listening to the "wrong" music. People are executed for organizing strikes or just for their political opinions.
Despite conditions in Iran, the British government is rejecting Iranian asylum seekers and deporting them. The Home Office rejected my asylum application saying that it had been handed in too late, although I personally took it there myself on time. By rejecting me and other asylum seekers on false pretenses, the government is hoping to reduce my chances of gaining my right as a human being to live a freer and safer life.
Unfair laws, detention, deportation, mistreatment and abuse, expedited procedures and discriminatory practices facilitate the government's attack on asylum seekers. By providing others and myself with substandard and inadequate housing, unsanitary conditions, poor and insufficient food at hostels or vouchers that cannot reasonably feed any human being, the government hopes to dehumanize us so that the public will more easily accept its violations against us.
'I know the government is unleashing the fascists and racists on us in order to deter us from coming or remaining. Their attacks on us is a continuation of the attacks on us by regimes the UK and West have
supported. I also know, however, that there are many people and organizations, like those organized in the caravan, who will fight for full rights for asylum seekers and against racism and racist violence.'
On October 14, over 800 people joined the national demonstration against racism in London. Sam Azad and Dashty Jamal spoke on behalf of the Iranian
and Iraqi Federations.
On October 20-22, the Caravan traveled to Margate and Dover. Given that many asylum seekers in Margate do not have access to attorneys, the Caravan went with an attorney to assess the situation and agreed to return on a regular basis to provide legal advice. A vigil was held in Dover for the 58 Chinese who were found suffocated because of fortress Europe.
On October 27-29, the Caravan traveled to Coventry and Manchester. Given the rise in racist attacks on asylum seekers, representatives of the Caravan provided asylum seekers with information on filing grievances
against such attacks. Rather than assist the asylum seekers and arrest those responsible, the police have advised the asylum seekers not to leave their homes after 6pm. A support group was established in Coventry to deal with racist attacks. In Manchester, over two hundred people attended a public meeting and a support group was established. Speakers at the public
meeting included Sam Azad and Dashty Jamal of the Iranian and Iraqi Federations and Janet Alder, the sister of a black man killed in police custody.
Though the Caravan's month-long tour has ended, the practical support created for asylum seekers in various cities will continue. The Caravan is already planning bi-weekly trips with attorneys and translators to assist
asylum seekers in their asylum applications in Margate and will return to Coventry on November 17 to assist asylum seekers in developing a strategy for challenging racist attacks.
WHY AM I ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS CARAVAN?
- Jamal
'I fled from repression in Iran. Many of my family members were executed or killed by the regime. I was in danger myself. The Islamic Republic of Iran stones people to death for consenting sexual relations, lashes women for improper veiling and youth for listening to the "wrong" music. People are executed for organizing strikes or just for their political opinions.
Despite conditions in Iran, the British government is rejecting Iranian asylum seekers and deporting them. The Home Office rejected my asylum application saying that it had been handed in too late, although I personally took it there myself on time. By rejecting me and other asylum seekers on false pretenses, the government is hoping to reduce my chances of gaining my right as a human being to live a freer and safer life.
Unfair laws, detention, deportation, mistreatment and abuse, expedited procedures and discriminatory practices facilitate the government's attack on asylum seekers. By providing others and myself with substandard and inadequate housing, unsanitary conditions, poor and insufficient food at hostels or vouchers that cannot reasonably feed any human being, the government hopes to dehumanize us so that the public will more easily accept its violations against us.
'I know the government is unleashing the fascists and racists on us in order to deter us from coming or remaining. Their attacks on us is a continuation of the attacks on us by regimes the UK and West have
supported. I also know, however, that there are many people and organizations, like those organized in the caravan, who will fight for full rights for asylum seekers and against racism and racist violence.'
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