there will be a picket of the Italian Embassy in London in solidarity with the migrants on hungers strike and with the residents of Lampedusa , in struggle against the island being turned into one huge concentration camp for immigrants. Called by No Borders London and supported by No Borders UK groups, Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, SOAS Detainee Support Group, National Coalition of Anit-Deportation Campaigns, Campaign Against Immigration Controls, No One Is Illegal.

Thursday 26th February from 4.30pm to 6.00pm
Embassy of Italy in London, 14 Kings Yard, London W1K4EH
(Meet at the corner with Davies Street)
nearest tube: Bond Street

This morning in Lampedusa, the southern island of Europe, a revolt
started in the "Centre for identification and expulsion", following the
hunger strike of 300 detainees from Tunisia. The detention center hosts
more than 800 migrants, mostly from Tunisia. The fire destroyed most of
the building and the police had to fight the revolt with extra smoke
(teargas), it is yet unknown the number of people harmed.

Nearly 2000 persons were crammed in a centre that can barely contain 850, after a series of arrivals of boats from the African coast. People were locked behind gates and many were sleeping out in the rain because of overcrowding. The Interior Minister Maroni refused to move them to other structures operating in Italy, insisting they must be processed and eventually deported directly from Lampedusa, the small island south of Sicily that is the first point of arrival for many migrants, especially since increased immigration controls at the Spansh border have changed the migration routes. (updated 27 jan 2009)

12 Noon Friday 3rd October 2008

Demonstrate at the Italien Tourist Board
1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY(near Oxford Circus)

Roma people in Italy are facing the worst persecution since the Fascist era. We wish to confront the representatives of the Italian state which is behind this attack.The state’s lies encourage Italians to view Roma as illegal immigrants, as part of a generalized right-wing response to migration into Italy. Whilst we believe anyone should be able to settle wherever they want, it is important to point out the deliberate lies of the Italian government. Roma are not recent arrivals. Many have settled in Italy for 40 years and are Italian citizens. Those who have recently arrived have done so as part of the wider process of perfectly legal and natural economic migration within the EU. Some wish to travel, others wish to settle. They should have the same legal protection as other EU citizens.