Category: General

Details of post-election crackdown on undocumented workers leaked to migrant rights campaigners

Activists across Britain are alerting hundreds of workplaces that appear on a Home Office hit list to prepare for an imminent immigration raid.

‘Operation Centurion’ involves a fortnight of high-profile arrests of undocumented workers, similar to the Go Home Van débâcle in July 2013.

The leaked document refers to raids on car-washes in the East Midlands being “prepped for Centurion fortnight”.

The Home Office may now have to abandon this plan because the majority of workers on the target list are being tipped off, as revealed on Channel 4 News tonight.

The Anti Raids Network has seen 225 items of operational intelligence, in what is possibly the largest Home Office leak in recent years.

The document reveals stereotyping and racial profiling by Immigration Officers behind the raids.

One target is to “locate NGA [Nigerian] immigration offenders working as security guards in Sussex.”

Another involves a “multi agency operation aimed at Vietnamese nail bars in the Manchester area”.

Phone stalls in Northern Ireland “appear to have foreign nationals working on them – some of which don’t speak fantastic English”, according to the ‘intelligence’ reports.

Although the Home Office has denied claims that it conducts ‘fishing’ operations, the document refers to “speculative intel visits” to farms in the North East

The Home Office’s own intelligence even undermines the argument that illegal working is a significant problem.

For instance, the Home Office says it has checked over 900 staff files from betting shops across South London, “and it is conservatively anticipated there will be at least 5 offenders across the sites”.

The rate of illegal working in that case is less than 1% of the workforce.

The Karamsar Gurdwara on Ilford High Street is also listed as a target. The Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London said on twitter that Immigration Officers arrested 6 people on Ilford High Street at 8.30 this morning in “random checks targeting anyone with a turban”.

A spokesperson from the Anti Raids Network said:

“Are Ukip already controlling the UK Border Agency? Questions need to be asked about the timing of this operation just after the elections. This document exposes the cynical and racist agenda behind Home Office immigration raids.”

The Anti Raids Network has been distributing information about workers rights during immigration raid and directly challenging raids.

Green street is a big, vibrant, indoor multiethnic market in West Ham open 4 days a week. We found out that a successful campaign had resisted a proposed development of the market by ASDA but there seems to be an underlying threat from potential developers with apparent benign neglect of the market structure. Seven of us came to Upton Park at 11am and at first split into two groups to distribute bustcards in different languages. People in the market were responsive to the information distributed and were also telling us about their personal experience of raids in the market. One of the first people that we encountered recounted a big raid on a Friday last year and he said that “Fridays have never been the same since” suggesting that the atmosphere and the business of the market was badly affected. Other people we talked to said that small scale immigration raids were happening regularly, as recently as last week.

The flyers were well received in the market and it became apparent that people were unaware of their rights, felt intimidated and felt powerless to challenge the immigration enforcement officers who, it seems were often mistaken for police officers. As well as  informing people of their individual rights in a raid, it was useful to inform shopkeepers that they are not obliged to give immigration officers consent to enter, and that they can only enter the premises without this when they are in possession of a warrant or an Assistant Director letter authorising entry.

During the distribution, it was great to see that stall holders and shopkeepers were already starting to talk to each other about the information, and we got the feeling that solidarity was starting to grow immediately around the topic.

This was really encouraging for us and made an enjoyable day feel massively worthwhile. On reflection, we also felt that it would be easy for a couple of people to do something similar in their local market or shopping street. We feel inspired to start doing that more in an autonomous way. The bustcards are downloadable and printable from https://network23.org/antiraids. Just choose the languages that you want, or contact us at antiraids at riseup.net (replace the “at” with “@”) if you need a supply and you want to publicise your own event. We look forward to hearing your stories of distributions in your local areas and please send them to us.

There are also several events coming in the future that you can join, check
https://network23.org/antiraids/2014/05/12/new-events-listing-for-anti-raids-network-this-mayjune/.

Tuesday, June 3, at 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Brixton Community Base (Lower Hall)

Join the Anti Raids Network and the London Campaign Against Police and State Violence to watch and discuss Ken Fero’s documentary Justice Denied. Fero follows the stories of Joy Gardner, Kwanele Siziba and Joseph Nnalue, three people who died in connection with immigration controls.

JUSTICE DENIED
(50 minutes/l995/Director Ken Fero/Migrant Media)

On the 28th July 1993 Joy Gardner died when police and deportation officers used force to restrain her, tying her with a body belt and ankle straps and gagging her mouth with thirteen feet of tape. There was a national outcry when people heard how Joy had died. ‘Justice Denied ‘ hears from members of her family about Joy’s death, reports on the reactions to it in the Black community, examines two other deaths related to immigration control, that of Kwanele Siziba and Joseph Nnalue, and asks what are the political circumstances that allow these deaths to happen.

The film follows the struggle of Joy’s family in their fight for justice and for the truth to be exposed. The film examines how the media carried out a character assassination of Joy in order to justify the way in which she was killed and how this fed into a widespread cover-up.The highly controversial documentary asks why senior police officers and the immigration service did not face charges for their involvement in this controversial incident. Throughout ‘Justice Denied’ the families speak out to keep the memory of their loved ones alive, to demand justice and to challenge the climate of fear created by Britain’s enforcement of immigration controls.

“fresh and angry” – The Guardian

“heartfelt” – The Independent

 

Image: Harmondsworth 2006.

As resistance spreads through UK detention centres, it may be worth thinking about lessons from protests of the past. What kind of actions have been most successful, increased the power and spirit of prisoners, and won at least some demands and desires? And what kind of acts of solidarity can be most effective from the outside?

As just a first step to thinking about these questions, here is an incomplete (and now a bit out of date) list of hunger strikes, riots and other protests in UK detention in recent years.

Brief history of UK detention regime

1989: Haslar, former naval barracks, starts holding immigration detainees. It has a capacity of 160 people

November 1993: Opening of the 216-person Campsfield detention centre in Oxfordshire. Currently run by Mitie.

1996: Opening of Tinsley House near Gatwick Airport. Currently run by G4S with a capacity of 119 men and 8 families

2000: Opening of the 112-bed Lindholme detention centre

March 2000: Opening of Oakington, a 400-person fast-track detention centre

September 2001: Harmondsworth, the largest detention centre in the UK with 615 place, opens near Heathrow. It is run by GEO.

September 2001: Dungavel, a former hunting lodge, opens as a detention centre with 190-bed spaces

November 2001: Opening of the 405-bed Yarl’s Wood, the main detention centre for female detainees. Run by Serco.

April 2002: Dover, a former fortress then young offender’s institute, opens as a detention centre for migrants. It is run by HM Prison Service

August 2004: Opening of Colnbrook, a 308-person facility located near Heathrow

December 2008: Opening of Pennine House, a 32-bed short term holding centre next to Manchester Airport

March 2009: Opening of Brook House, a 426-person detention centre near Gatwick Airport, currently run by G4S

November 2010: Closure of the 400 person Oakington detention centre

June 2011: Moreton Hall opens in Lincolnshire. It has a capacity of 392

July 2011: Larne House, a 19-bed short term holding centre, opens in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland

Hunger strikes

February 1994: 11 hunger strike in Campsfield and win release from detention
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

March 1994: 175 hunger strike in Campsfield, triggering wave of similar actions in detention centres across the UK involving up to 400 people
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

September 1994: Ghanaians hunger strike in Campsfield
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

June 1998: 70 hunger strike in Campsfield
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

September 2001: More than detainees hunger strike in Haslar
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/11/immigration.immigrationandpublicservices

April 2002: 40 detainees hunger strike in Dungavel
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1921476.stm

April 2005: Two Ugandan women hunger strike in Yarl’s Wood
https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/08/321225.html

July 2003: 40 detainees hunger strike in Oakington
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/3110197.stm

June 2005: Zimbabweans hunger strike in Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/06/315021.html

April 2006: More than 100 detainees hunger stike at Colnbrook
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/338266.html

April 2006: 125 detainees hunger strike at Haslar
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/338343.html

June 2006: More than 120 people go on hunger strike in Campsfield, after Somali man took to the roof and threatened to kill himself
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/06/342951.html

November 2006: More than 40 detainees go on hunger strike at Colnbrook
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/162

December 2006: Over 70 detainees hunger strike at Yarl’s Wood
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/12/357531.html

December 2006: 66 detainees go on hunger strike in Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/12/358361.html

June 2007: 70 detainees hunger strike in Dungavel
http://www.scvo.org.uk/tfn/news/dungavel-detainees-vow-to-continue-hunger-strike/

July 2007: Tamils hunger strike in Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/07/377024.html

March 2008: 150 detainees hunger strike at Oakington
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7318118.stm

April 2008: 300 hunger strike in Harmondsworth and refuse to leave the courtyard
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/395640.html

March 2009: All detainees embark on hunger strike at Tinsley House
http://nobordersbrighton.blogspot.com/2009/03/brook-house-opens-as-tinsley-house-goes.html

October 2009: More than 40 Iraqis go on hunger strike at Brook House
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/234

January 2010: 100 detainees go on hunger strike in Brook House
http://nobordersbrighton.blogspot.com/2010/01/another-hunger-strike-at-brook-house.html

February 2010: Over 84 detainees hunger strike in Yarl’s Wood
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/02/445773.html

February 2010: Up to 55 detainees go on hunger strike at Harmondsworth
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/304

August 2010: 147 detainees go on hunger strike in Campsfield, statement here
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/388

June 2011: 23 Iraqis & 14 Afghans hunger strike at Campsfield
http://ncadc.org.uk/blog/2011/06/update-on-hunger-strike-and-deportation-charter-flight-to-iraq/

September 2011: 18 Afghans hunger strike in Morton Hall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-14960103

Escapes

June 1994: 11 escape from Campsfield
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

May 1996: 6 attempt to escape Campsfield but are recaptured
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

September 1999: 2 attempt to escape from Campsfield
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

September 2003: 20 detainees escape frm Lindholme, half of whom were recaptured within 6 miles of the centre
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3147846.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/3147864.stm

October 2003: News emerges that 23 people have escaped from Dover IRC over the past year. Only one person was recaptured.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3208373.stm

May 2005: News emerges that 13 detainees escaped from Haslar over the course of two years, with nine remaining uncaptured
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4581503.stm

November 2006: Detainee reportedly escapes Dungavel in a laundry van
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ASYLUM+SEEKER+FLEES+DUNGAVEL+IN+LAUNDRY+VAN%3B+EXCLUSIVE+Hunt+after…-a0154184274

December 2006: 8 reported to have escaped from Oakington over a two week period
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/145

August 2007: 26 escape Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/377654.html

June 2008: 7 escape from Campsfield, in spite of 8m fence
http://www.cherwell.org/news/2008/06/24/inmates-escape-from-campsfield

September 2010: 2 escape attempts by Iraqi Kurds at Campsfield, one makes it to London
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/headlines/8372155.Campsfield_detainee_scaled_8m_fence_to_escape/

July 2011: One Algerian and one Egyptian detainees successfully escape from Morton Hall, one month after the centre opens
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/07/482885.html

Riots and other protests

March 1994: Detainees take to the roof at Campsfield in protest and are joined by a solidarity demo outside
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

June 1994: Riot in Campsfield, rooftop occupation, 11 escape
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

May 1997: 12 detainees occupy the roof of Campsfield for 36 hrs
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

August 1997: Up to 200 protest in Campsfield following violent deportation, riot police called in to quell unrest
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html
http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news132.htm

February 1998: Disorder breaks out in Campsfield
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/1998/02/10/Oxfordshire+Archive/6641063.Prayer_mat_row_sparks_mini_riot/

November 1999: 20 detainees stage rooftop protest against their year long detention
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

April 2002: Reported disturbance in Yarl’s Wood, fire breaks out and destroys half the centre, detainees riot
https://www.irr.org.uk/cgi-bin/news/open.pl?id=5376

July 2003: 40 detainees occupy the sports ground at Oakington and refuse to leave in protest at their deportation
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-5986700-asylum-seekers-stage-sit-down-protest.do

July 2004: Unrest in Harmondsworth following the death of a detainee, fires started
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3908715.stm

June 2005: Fight breaks out between guards and detainees at Dover IRC
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/06/313759.html

November 2006: Riot in Harmondsworth, extensive damage caused, detainees spell out ‘SOS’ and ‘HELP’ in the yard
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/357432.html

NB: here is the UK Government’s full 132 page report into the ‘disturbances’ at Harmondsworth (2006) and Campsfield (2007): http://www.indymedia.org.uk/media/2007/07//376961.pdf

December 2006: Detainees protest at Oakington, and 25 barricade themselves into the recreation rooms, leading to a standoff with guards
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/145

December 2006: Detainees riot in Lindholme
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hundreds-of-foreign-inmates-still-awaiting-deportation-months-after-end-of-jail-terms-426558.html

February 2007: 200 demonstrate at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/124

March 2007: Riot in Campsfield after an Algerian man resisted deportation, two units set on fire
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/365388.html

August 2007: Riot in Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/08/377654.html

April 2008: Riot police called after unrest in Harmondsworth
http://www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk/all-articles/harmondsworthheathrow-detention-centre-protest-suppressed-by-riot-cops-5-days-after-hunger-strike-started-over-human-rights-violations/

June 2008: Riot in Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/401100.html

June 2009: Riot at Brook House, fires started
http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/local/riot_at_gatwick_immigration_centre_1_979643

April 2010: More than 100 detainees break through gates and occupy the courtyard following the death of a detainee. They refuse to let the police access the body
http://nobordersbrighton.blogspot.com/2010/04/oakington-detention-centre-disturbance.html
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Protest-at-immigration-centre.htm

October 2010: 25 detainees protest in Dover IRC, demanding answers and justice following the death of Jimmy Mubenga
http://www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk/all-articles/dover-detainees-begin-protest-after-forced-removal-on-british-airways-flew-jimmy-mubenga-to-his-death-in-angola/

May 2011: Detainees protest the continued detention in isolation of two detainees, riot police sent in to break up the protest
http://nobordersbrighton.blogspot.com/2011/05/trouble-at-brook-house-irc.html

September 2011: Afghan detainees smash up parts of Harmondsworth after another Afghan is beaten by guards. Police are sent in and some detainees taken to solitary confinement
http://www.no-deportations.org.uk/Content/weekending25-09-11.html

October 2011: Harmondsworth. Fight between guards and Afghan detainees, police sent in, detainees hospitalised. Charter flight may have been cancelled.
Source: personal

Actions in solidarity with detainees

January 1994: First demonstration outside Campsfield, held once a month every year thereafter
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

March 1994: Campsfield roof is occupied by demonstrators in solidarity with the hunger strike
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

June 1994: camp outside Campsfield in solidarity
http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/background/history.html

July 2005: Hundreds of demonstrators gather to protest outside Dungavel during the G8 Summit in Gleneagles. All detainees are reportedly transferred elsewhere in advance of the demo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4649365.stm

September 2005: Solidarity demo outside Yarl’s Wood following the death of a detainee
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/09/323775.html

April 2006: 300+ demonstrate outside Harmondsworth & Colnbrook in solidarity with hunger striking detainees. The same day, people in London paint slogans on the facade of Ethiopian Airlines for their role in deportations
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/337848.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/338318.html?c=on#c146466

April 2006: No Borders solidarity demo at the Home Office in support of the Colnbrook hunger strikers amongst other solidarity actions
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/04/338929.html

December 2006: 70+ people join a No Borders demonstration outside the HQ of Kalyx, the company that runs Harmondsworth, in solidarity with the rioters
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/155

December 2006: Demonstration outside Harmondsworth in support of the rioters
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/157

December 2006: No Borders demonstration at the HQ of Kalyx, who run Harmondsworth
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/140

February 2007: Demonstration outside Harmondsworth and Colnbrook
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/137

February 2007: Occupation of the head offices of GEO, Campsfield’s private operator
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/02/362545.html

April 2007: Over 100 demonstrate in Crawley town centre against the new detention centre planned for Gatwick (Brook House)
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/04/368379.html

November 2007: GEO, company managing Campsfield detention centre, has head offices shut down for a day
http://oxford.indymedia.org.uk/2007/11/386824.html?c=on#comments

September 2007: Demonstration from Crawley town centre to Tinsley House during the UK No Borders camp
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/54

January 2008: Solidarity demonstration outside Southwark Crown Court in support of the Harmondsworth 4, four accused in connection with the unrest in Harmondsworth
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/34

February 2008: Demonstration outside in support of the Harmondsworth 4 outside Sodexho HQ, the detention centre’s operator
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/31

February 2008: Noise demo at GEO’s head offices, for company’s management of Campsfield
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/392069.html?c=on#comments

March 2008: Picket of Carillon’s offices in Manchester for their role in expanding Manchester Detention Centre, later to become Pennine House
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/392905.html

March 2009: 200 demonstrate outside Yarl’s Wood
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/110

March 2009: Blockade of Tinsley House to stop mass deportation to Iraq
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/03/424368.html

March 2009: Around 100 people in Manchester protest at Manchester Airport against Pennine House, a ‘temporary holding centre’ located there
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7957900.stm

March 2009: 20 people ‘detain’ immigration minister Phil Woolas, at his constituency office
http://nobordersmanchester.blogspot.com/2009/03/immigration-minister-detained.html

March 2009: Edinburgh demonstration outside the offices of G4S, who run Dungavel, Brook House, Tinsley House and Oakington, as well as the transport system of detainees
http://www.indymediascotland.org/node/15058

May 2009: Blockade of Colnbrook detention centre to stop charter flight to Iraq
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/12/colnbrook-detention-centre-protest

June 2009: Demonstration in solidarity with Yarl’s Wood hunger strikers at the offices of Serco, the company which operates the detention centre
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/191

October 2009: Demonstration outside the Home Office in support of Iraqi hunger strikers
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/239

January 2010: No Borders demonstration outside Crawley Council planning meeting during discussions on whether to turn a 4 star hotel into a detention centre. This follows a series of previous protests and occupations. The proposal is defeated.
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/279

February 2010: Demos in solidarity with Yarl’s Wood hunger strikers outside the detention centre and Serco’s offices
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/309
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/4310

March 2010: Solidarity demo outside Harmondsworth in support of hunger strikers
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/317

March 2010: No Borders Wales demonstrate in Swansea in support of the Yarl’s Wood hunger strikers
http://noborderswales.org.uk/2010/03/10/yarl%E2%80%99s-wood-hunger-strike-reaches-fifth-week-demonstration-in-swansea-this-saturday/#more-5414

March 2010: Demo outside Holloway prison in support of the three women imprisoned there for their hunger strike
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/311

April 2010: Cambridge Migrant Solidarity stage a demo outside Oakington in support of hunger striking detainees
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/330

June 2010: Sabotage of UK Border Agency snatch vans which transport people to detention centres, in solidarity with the Yarl’s Wood hunger strikers and rioters in Harmondsworth
http://nobordersmanchester.blogspot.com/2010/06/ukba-vans-sabotaged-in-salford.html

August 2010: Solidarity demo outside Campsfield in support of the hunger strikers
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/392

December 2010: Demo outside Holloway prison in support of three Yarl’s Wood detainees incarcerated for their role in the hunger strike
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/442

January 2011: Solidarity demo outside Hatton Cross Immigration & Asylum Tribunal during bail hearing of Denise McNeil, who was imprisoned for her role in the Yarl’s Wood hunger strike
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/454

March 2011: Solidarity demo at Yarl’s Wood on International Women’s Day
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/467

April 2011: Demonstration and leafleting outside a Barnardos shop for their involvement in Cedars, a detention centre planned for families
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/498

April 2011: Disruption of Barnardos fundraising event at the Museum of Childhood its involvement in Cedars
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/489

May 2011: Phone blockade of GCC, the company behind a new phone system designed to keep detainees at Tinsley House under closer surveillance
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/501

June 2011: Demonstration at Moreton Hall on the day of its opening
http://www.nobordersnottingham.org.uk/regional-news-and-events/protest-on-the-day-of-moreton-hall-detention-centre-official-opening-june-1st-2011/

June 2011: Demonstration at Campsfield in solidarity with Iraqi & Afghan detainees on hunger strike
http://ncadc.org.uk/blog/2011/06/uk-plans-mass-deportation-of-iraqis-hunger-strike-in-detention-centre/

June 2011: Harmondsworth & Colnbrook detention centres blockaded to stop charter flight to Iraq, flight cancelled
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/06/481104.html?c=on#c270225

June 2011: Demonstration outside the HQ of Barnardos, for their involvement in Cedars, a new detention centre for families
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/509

July 2011: Demonstration in Hayward’s Heath against Cedars
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/519

August 2011: SOAS Detainee Support & No Borders demonstration outside the HQ of Barnardos, for their involvement in Cedars family detention centre
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/522

August 2011: Solidarity demonstration outside Colnbrook following the apparent suicide of two detainees
http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/521

September 2011: No Borders & No One Is Illegal hold noise demo outside Cedars
http://london.noborders.org.uk/taxonomy/term/91?page=2

December 2011: Nigerian High Commissioner confronted and questioned over charter flight the same day
http://stopdeportations.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/embassy-boss-ambushed-over-mass-deportation-of-nigerians/

December 2011: blockade of entrances to Harmondsworth & Colnbrook to try & stop mass Tamil deportation
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/12/490205.html

December 2011: New Year’s eve solidarity demos with sound systems outside Brook House & Tinsley House
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/01/490673.html

Remembering the dead. Deaths in detention 1989-2014.

See the list here compiled by the Institute for Race Relations

 

Last night (Wednesday 7 May) over 50 detainees in Campsfield migration prison, near Oxford, began a hunger strike. They join detainees who have been protesting in Harmondsworth, Colnbrook, and Brook House. There will be a solidarity demo outside Campsfield this afternoon at 6PM.

Video: Over 50 detainees go on Hunger Strike at Campsfield House IRC 07.05.14

Statement reporting hunger strike from ‘Close Campsfield’ group

New statement from Unity Centre: ‘Home Office crackdown can’t stop immigration detainee uprising’

See also new video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow8MaauT13c

Events so far @ Wednesday 7 May 2PM.

On Friday (2 May) over 150 detainees in Harmondsworth migration prison occupied the main courtyard in a sit down protest and began a mass hunger strike. On Monday (5 May) supporters held solidarity noise demos outside Harmondsworth and simultaneously at Dungavel (Scotland). Yesterday evening (Tuesday 6 May) protests started to spread to Colnbrook and Brook House migration prisons.

At lunchtime on Friday 2 May over 150 people detained in Harmondsworth, the UK’s largest migration prison run by corporation GEO group for the Home Office, staged a sit-down occupation of the main courtyard and began hunger strike. They issued a set of demands (see below) protesting against the ‘Fast Track’ system, under which refugees seeking asylum are immediately imprisoned before their claims are even heard, as well as further mistreatment in detention.

The protestors stayed in the courtyard until the evening, when the Home Office sent 3 officials to meet with delegates of the protestors. The officials took a petition signed by all of the protestors, and said they would reply to the demands on Tuesday 6 May. The detainees decided to suspend their hunger strike while they waited for the response.

On Monday (5 May) solidarity noise demos took place at Harmondsworth and also at Dungavel detention centre in Scotland. At Harmondsworth, over 30 people made lots of noise with pots, pans, drums, whistles, etc. to let the detainees know they are not alone. The people locked inside waved and held up signs to the windows with messages such as ‘Unlawful Detention’ and ‘No Healthcare’. There was also contact over the phone, and the prisoners said they were really glad of the support.

No big surprise, the Home Office broke its promise and still (1.30 PM Wednesday 7 May) hasn’t given any reply to the protestors. Instead they have moved rapidly to issue deportation tickets to several dozen people involved in the protest.

However, yesterday (Tuesday 6 may) the unrest began to spread. In Colnbrook detention centre, built right next to Harmondsworth, guards broke up an organising meeting of 40 detainees inside Colnbrook yesterday and put five “ringleaders” in isolation cells, before moving them to another secure facility. Supporters have since been unable to contact the men.

Then at 10pm last night a group of 20 men detained at Brook House IRC near Gatwick staged a protest in the courtyard and refused to return to their cells.

The prisoners have been particularly asking for us to help spread their words and voices as widely as possible beyond the prison walls. They face a tough struggle ahead, and need our active solidarity.

AGAINST ALL BORDERS AND PRISONS!

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For further updates check:

http://network23.org/antiraids
twitter: @antiraids

http://unitycentreglasgow.org
twitter: @UnityCentreGlas

Journalists please contact: Unity Centre on 0141 427766 OR 07448 617766. They can redirect journalists to detainees who want to speak to the press.

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Here is the statement signed by all the protesting detainees on Friday 2 May and handed to the prison authorities:

As to resolve the following issues:

* Home Office fast track system [NB: system in which refugees are immediately detained whilst their asylum claims are processed]

* Healthcare in the detention centre

* Detainees are awaiting to travel to their home countries for months, without any response from the home office, when have agreed to voluntary return. One person has been waiting for 17 months.

* People who were transferred from other centres on a promise for interview or high commission face to face interviews are still waiting to send back to their centre such as people from scotland are still stuck here without lawyers, guests.

* we are not getting enough legal help, in some cases no legal advice at all our important faxes and documents are waiting sometimes for four to five hours in the IRC office before they reach us.

* We need to resolve this face to face by the official immigration staff who record this complaint ? this petition and peaceful protest- then we will consider to withdraw this hunger strike.

We are block C and D, and also A and B about to start peaceful protest and hunger strike.

***

BACKGROUND INFO:

Some facts about Harmondsworth, one of Europe?s largest migration prisons:

http://detentionaction.org.uk/aboutus/about-harmondsworth-detention-centre

On the killing in 2012 of detainee Prince Fuso and about GEO group:

http://www.schnews.org.uk/stories/GEO-POLITICS/

An article on the Harmondsworth uprising in 2006:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/immigration.prisonsandprobation

On the ‘Detained Fast Track’ system of imprisoning asylum seekers:

http://ncadc.org.uk/blog/detention-action-detained-fast-track-denies-access-to-justice/

http://www.righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/dft-and-nsa.html

This morning  six supporters of the Anti Raids Network met at Peckham Rye train station to distribute ‘know your rights’ bust cards in the local shops and markets.

Talking to shop keepers and market stall holders we were horrified but not surprised to hear how often they get harassed by immigration enforcement officers. Many people said that about a year ago it was so bad that they were coming to Peckham Rye up to three times a week. Almost every person we spoke to had experienced or witnessed a raid.

People told us how officers regularly come to the shops, refused to let anyone leave, force the owner to close the shutters (trapping people inside), and question everyone in the shop. Often they do not show any paperwork and they intimidate the owners into letting them in.

Our aim is to give people the information needed to avoid and resist immigration controls. Come and join us for our next distribution 29th May Green Street Market, meet at Upton Park Station 11am.

Resist the racist system!

MayDay bank holiday Monday, 5 May. 1.30PM. Harmondsworth Detention Centre, near Heathrow.

PLEASE SPREAD WIDELY.

On Friday 2 May over 150 people detained in Harmondsworth migration prison staged a sit-down occupation of the main courtyard and began hunger strike. They issued a set of demands protesting against the cruel ‘Fast Track’ system under which refugees seeking asylum are immediately imprisoned before their claims are even heard, as well as further mistreatment in detention.

The detainees have been in contact asking for our solidarity and that we help their voices be heard outside the prison walls. We will hold a solidarity demonstration on the MayDay bank holiday (Monday 5 May) outside the prison to let them know they are not alone. Please bring musical instruments and anything that makes a noise so that they can hear us through the walls.

The Home Office have met with delegates of the protestors and said that they will give answers to their demands on Tuesday 6 May. The hunger strike is suspended while detainees wait for these answers. We want to let the detainees know we are with them in solidarity, and the Home Office know that we will not let the detainees’ protest be ignored and hidden. A simultaneous demo will take place outside Dungavel detention centre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Signed:

The Unity Centre

Anti Raids Network

Stop Deportations

Right to Remain

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For more information on the Harmondsworth protests and the protestors’ demands in full see:

UPDATE: Mass Hunger Strike in Harmondsworth Detention Centre

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How to get to Harmondsworth:

Harmondsworth IRC, Colnbrook Bypass, Longford, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 0HB

Train

The nearest stations are Hatton Cross, West Drayton, Uxbridge.

Trains run regularly from London Paddington to West Drayton, and the centres are a 15 minute bus journey on U3or 350.

Buses

Fastest: Bus 350 from West Drayton station – get off at Colnbrook Bypass

Bus U3 from West Drayton and Uxbridge to Hatch Lane.

Bus 81 from Hounslow West to Longford Village.

By Car

From M4 West – Exit junction 5. Take 3rd exit at roundabout onto A4 sign posted Colnbrook. Head towards London along A4 for approximately 3 miles.

Pass over motorway and continue straight ahead at the traffic lights. After the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Harmondsworth IRC is the building on the left hand side.

From M4 East – Exit junction 4A onto M4 spur road towards Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3. At ‘Concorde’ roundabout take 2nd exit towards Slough onto the A4. Travel for approximately 1 mile, until you reach a set of

traffic lights, turn right at the lights and continue until you reach a roundabout. At the roundabout turn right to come back down the road you travelled and at the lights turn right to bring you back on the A4. After

the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Harmondsworth IRC is the building on the left hand side.

From M25 – Exit junction 14 onto A3113 (Airport Way) towards Heathrow Terminal 4 and cargo. At next roundabout take 1st exit onto A3044 towards Colnbrook / Longford. At next roundabout continue straight ahead until you

reach as set of traffic lights. Turn right at the lights and take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Harmondsworth IRC is the building on the left hand side. Limited parking available to visitors.

Yesterday over 150 prisoners in Harmondsworth detention centre occupied the main courtyard with a sit down protest and began a hunger strike, issuing a number of demands including an end to the cruel ‘Fast Track’ asylum system (see below for full details). Eventually the Home Office agreed to negotiate and a meeting took place between delegates of the hunger strikers and three Home Office officials. The Home Office said that they will give a reply to the demands on Tuesday.

In light of this, the protestors agreed to suspend their hunger strike whilst they wait for the Home Office reply.

The detainees want to emphasise that their protest has been peaceful and they want to give the Home Office the chance to show democracy working. They continue to call for solidarity and for us to help spread their words beyond the prison walls.

***

For more information please contact The Unity Centre on 0141 427766 OR 07448 617766. We can redirect journalists to detainees.

***

Here is the statement signed by all the protesting detainees on Friday 2 May and handed to the prison authorities:

As to resolve the following issues:

* Home Office fast track system [NB: system in which refugees are immediately detained whilst their asylum claims are processed]

* Healthcare in the detention centre

* Detainees are awaiting to travel to their home countries for months, without any response from the home office, when have agreed to voluntary return. One person has been waiting for 17months.

* People who were transferred from other centres on a promise for interview or high commission face to face interviews are still waiting to send back to their centre such as people from scotland are still stuck here without lawyers, guests.

* we are not getting enough legal help, in some cases no legal advice at all our important faxes and documents are waiting sometimes for four to five hours in the IRC office before they reach us.

* We need to resolve this face to face by the official immigration staff who record this complaint – this petition and peaceful protest- then we will consider to withdraw this hunger strike.

We are block C and D, and also A and B about to start peaceful protest and hunger strike.

***

Previous reports from the Harmondsworth protest:

1) https://network23.org/antiraids/2014/05/02/protests-taking-place-now-inside-harmondsworth-detention-centre/

2) https://network23.org/antiraids/2014/05/02/update-mass-hunger-strike-in-harmondsworth-detention-centre/

***

BACKGROUND INFO:

On Harmondsworth, one of Europe’s largest migration prisons: http://detentionaction.org.uk/aboutus/about-harmondsworth-detention-centre

On the cruel ‘Detained Fast Track’ system of imprisoning asylum seekers:

http://ncadc.org.uk/blog/detention-action-detained-fast-track-denies-access-to-justice/

http://www.righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/dft-and-nsa.html

On the background to the major protests in 2006:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/immigration.prisonsandprobation