The following is an article by Deportation Watch, 31/10/11.

Anti-deportation campaigners watched in despair last Wednesday night as almost 20 women were forcibly taken to the airport to be removed from the UK aboard a bus branded ‘Just Go!’.

They were driven from Yarl’s Wood immigration prison to join a mass deportation of over 50 Nigerians. Some still had outstanding appeals against deportation.

“It’s sinister for the Border Agency to use a coach plastered in ‘Just go!’ stickers when deporting people,” said a campaigner, adding: “Surely a bureaucrat somewhere realised that was woefully insensitive.”

Some of the women on the flight had lived in the UK for over 20 years and were respected pillars of their community. Now they will be on the street in Lagos likely with nowhere to go, few belongings and ‘their lives in tatters’, according to supporters. “This is a disgusting and racist way to treat humans,” said the activist.

Come and celebrate International Women's Day by showing solidarity with the migrant women imprisoned at Yarl's Wood!

Saturday, 5th March 2011, 1pm

@ Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, Twinwoods Road, Clapham, Bedfordshire, MK41 6HL

Directions are here. Please organise your own transport.

The coalition government has skilfully employed he "end" to child detention to avoid talking about the brutal and inhumane detention regime of detention in general. Yet, over the years, countless reports and accounts have documented the plight of women locked up at Yarl's Wood: indefinite detention without charge or judicial oversight, overcrowded cells, mistreatment and abuse by private security guards, lack of privacy, restrictions on visits and phone calls, inadequate medical provision and the lack of facilities to address healthcare issues. And it's getting worse.

In her 2009 inspection report on Yarl's Wood, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers reported that “the focus on improving the environment and activities for children appeared to have led to a lack of attention to the needs of the majority population of women. Provision of activities for them was among the poorest seen in any removal centre. It had been inadequate at the last inspection, and had declined even further. The absence of activity added to the depression and anxiety of women, many of whom were spending lengthy periods at Yarl’s Wood. The average length of stay had increased by 50% since the last inspection, and one in ten women had been detained for more than six months.”

End the detention of migrant women!
Close Yarl's Wood now!

Supporting groups:
Stop Deportation Network

Denise McNeil, one of the "Yarl's Wood 3" who have been in prison for over a year for taking part in a hunger strike at Yarl's Wood immigration prison, has a bail hearing this Tuesday 25th January from 10am at IAC Hatton Cross, York House, 2/3 Dukes Green Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 0LS (travel directions here). We really want to show alot of support for her inside and outside the court.

It's almost a year since the Yarl's Wood hunger strike began and the Yarl's Wood 3 moved to prison. Sheree and Aminata will also have bail hearings in the coming month. Your support is very welcome. If you would
like to come to the court to show support for them or to get involved in the campaign contact freedenisenow@gmail.com.

Further links:
* Facebook page for the bail hearing.
* Free the Yarl's Wood 3 campaign meeting, 28/01/10

Campaign planning meeting, 6pm-7.30pm, Friday 28th January
@ Fin Future, 225-229 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2DA

In February 2010, women at Yarl's Wood immigration prison went on hunger strike to demand an end to indefinite and abusive imprisonment. The women experienced violent attacks and abusive treatment in an attempt to end their protest. Six women were accused of being ring-leaders and moved into isolation and prisons. Nearly a year later, three women remain in prison without charge: Aminata Camara, Denise McNeil and Sheree Wilson.

Come along to this meeting to plan how to take the campaign for their release forward. Hear messages from the women and plan how to respond to their requests for solidarity.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you need childcare for the meeting, and we'll arrange a creche.

More information on Free Denise McNeil: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/DeniseMcNeil.html
Read the recent article in the Observer: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/16/denise-mcneil-yarls-wood
Stay in touch with the campaign: freedenisenow@gmail.com
Join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566

In February 2010 prisoners at Yarl's Wood immigration prison organised a hunger strike. They demanded an end to indefinite and abusive imprisonment. Their courageous protest lasted five weeks, despite violent attacks by guards at the detention centre.

As retribution several people involved in the hunger strike were moved to prisons. Three of those targetted in this way are still behind bars: Denise McNeil, Sheree Wilson and Aminata Camara. They have been away from their families, friends and communities for too long.

Their struggle was “for everyone in detention”. We need to support those who take action on the inside. When they use prison to try to silence resistance we will fight back. At the start of a new year, let’s show them that they have our support and that the struggle for freedom goes on.

At 4pm on New Year’s Eve demonstrate outside Holloway Prison, Parkhurst Road N7 0NU in solidarity with the Yarl’s Wood 3. Please invite your friends and family. All ages are welcome. Bring noise-makers.

The Yarl’s Wood 3 will also have bail hearings in the coming month. Your support is very welcome. If you would like to come to the court to show support for them contact freedenisenow@gmail.com.

Speakout at the offices of SERCO in support of the hungerstrikers in Yarl's Wood detention centre, which is run by SERCO.

Demonstration at the offices of SERCO in support of the hungerstrikers in Yarl's Wood detention centre, which is run by SERCO.