I will be going to the French embassy protest next Tuesday called by No Borders to protest at the way that the French authorities have treated the migrants in Calais and against their collaborators the UK government. As Yasmin Alibhai Brown wrote a few days ago in the Independent, there is a certain hypocrisy in the British wanting these people removed when many of them are there as a result of UK actions in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and of an economic system which robs their countries for the benefit of multinational and UK businesses.
I hope that as many people as possible will go to the embassy on Tuesday to demonstrate and show our support for these people who have become the scapegoats of racism and xenophobia.
No Borders London call for action in solidarity with migrants in Calais!
Join us in a demonstration at 5.30pm, on Tuesday 29th September 09, outside the French Embassy, 58 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JT.
On the morning of Tuesday 22nd September, French police bulldozed the area known as the 'jungle' in Calais where migrants were living, destroying their homes and possessions and detaining around 300 people, including 132 children. Other migrants left before they could be detained, and have been driven to sleep rough on the streets of Calais, Paris and elsewhere. UK Home Secretary expressed his 'delight' at this devastating move by the French authorities, as it aims to stop migrants reaching the UK. Immigration Minister Phil Woolas falsely claimed that 'genuine' refugees would claim asylum at the first EU country they came to, regardless of whether they had familiy in other countries - and ignoring the fact that many migrants had not had the chance to claim asylum had they wanted to. European countries which migrants commonly travel through to reach France and the UK do not adhere to the UNHCR guidelines on hosting refugees.
In Greece, fewer than 1% of asylum claims were accepted last year, while in Italy thousands were intercepted and turned away without even having their claims looked at.We believe people should have freedom to move and live where they choose. We believe that adults and children should not be detained against their will, having committed no crime. In solidarity with migrants in Calais and everywhere, we demand that the French authorities release the 300 people that are being detained! For hourly updates on the situation in Calais, visit calaismigrantsolidarity.wordpress.com
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