Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! Supporters joined others at Link House Home Office buildings on Saturday 8 May to protest the proposed Sovereign borders bill and the opening of a new immigration prison near Consett, county Durham. The action marked the end of the sham multiple choice consultation on the ‘biggest overhaul of the asylum system in decades’ promised by Home Secretary Priti Patel. The new proposals will further strip away appeal rights and legal processes for people claiming asylum, will make asylum applications dependent on route into the country rather than the merits of each individual case and once again raises the prospect of offshore immigration prison camps.
Britain’s immigration system, the so called ‘hostile environment’ is already inhumane and inherently racist. A complete lack of safe legal routes into the country results in thousands risking their lives crossing the channel in trucks or flimsy dingies. The racist Sovereign borders bill will only add to this misery. Meanwhile, private security firm Mitie are working with construction company Galliford Try, preparing to open a new immigration prison for women at Hassockfield IRC, on the site of the notorious Medomsley prison where over 1800 young men were physically and sexually abused in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. The site was closed until 1999 when it reopened as Hassockfield Secure Training Centre and once again gained notoriety after 14 year old Adam Rickwood became the youngest person ever to die in custody in Britain in 2004. Campaigning against the project has begun. In April, FRFI supporters joined a protest at the site organised by Durham People’s Assembly, joined a phone blockade of Galliford Try organised by Abolish Detention and brought banners to the May day Kill the Bill demonstration in Newcastle.
Immigration controls in imperialist Britain are inherently racist and must be scrapped!
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Immigration is no crime – end detention!
Freedom for immigrants – Justice for refugees!
