On Monday 12th April, activists from London NoBorders signed up for MP Meg Hillier's twice monthly surgery at Hackney Town Hall. Meg Hillier is Member of Parliament for Hackney South and Shoreditch and Home Office Minister for Identity With regard to the hunger strike in Yarl's Wood detention center, Hillier had written to every MP denying that the women are still on hunger strike: "Whilst there are a small number of detainees refusing formal meals from the canteen, they are buying food from the centre's shop and vending machines and having food delivered by visitors." 34 women wrote denying these lies and pointing out that visitors are banned from bringing in food.

The NoBorders activists wanted to confront Meg Hillier with this, and other lies she had told. They found her to be rather camera-shy for an MP and Minister for Identity. She refused to be filmed and a conversation behind closed doors led to the unevitable dead end and activists left a tense Hillier alone with her conscience.

Being generous people, the NoBorders activists returned 15 minutes later to Town Hall to leave Hillier at the reception desk a food package for the caused inconvenience: an assortment of Mars and Twix bars, Hula Hoops, chipsticks and ready salted squares - commonly found in vending machines - with regards of London NoBorders.

See video here

The issues outlined in the meeting were presented in the form of a letter and the following information:

We are here today to highlight the neglectful, unjust and abusive treatment of detainees at Yarl's Wood detention centre, as denied by Meg Hillier in her February letter to all MPs. Meg Hillier sought to discredit the hunger strikers using untruths and distortions, while ignoring the psychologically brutal and distressing reality of detention which gave rise to their protest (among many others).

We draw attention to the point-by-point response to the letter by women in Yarl's Wood and their supporters, reproduced below. We are here to demand that the meeting with a representative of the Home Office promised to the hunger strikers goes ahead, and that all the women's demands are met.

We further demand an end to the dehumanising and racist policy of immigration detention and the freedom for all to travel and reside where they choose.