{vsig}anti-deportation{/vsig}
On the 21st of January, a speak-out was organised by the Migration and Asylum Justice Forum (MAJF) as part of the two weeks of action organised by Movement for Justice By Any Means Necessary. Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! (FRFI) supporters are affiliated with MAJF and this speak out was seen as a good opportunity to campaign together against the secret mass deportations on chartered flights to countries such as Nigeria and Jamaica.
The speak-out took place in Newcastle city centre, and was attended by around 50 people, with members of the public stopping by on the busy thoroughfare. FRFI supporters spoke about Britain’s racist immigration history and called for the end to all deportations, as well as highlighting the role imperialism plays in creating the racist divide that allows these deportations to take place. Other members of MAJF also spoke against the mass deportations undertaken by the airline Titan, an airline usually associated with flying celebrities and musicians around the globe.
As part of the event, there was a street theatre performance highlighting the story of Raul Ally, a Somali man who lived in Newcastle with his family after his father was assassinated for his political organising. In April 2013, at the age of 18, Raul’s refugee application was denied and he was abducted by immigration police before being deported to Tanzania and left in a refugee camp which he was not allowed to leave.
The event was well received and the stall we had attracted a lot of attention. The Speak out was a success thanks to organisation and cooperation between MAJF and FRFI.
