Over 20 women have been on hunger strike at Yarls Wood Immigration Prison near Bedford since Friday 5th February, calling for their immediate release.
Guards at the Serco run centre have tried to suppress the hunger strike from the start. On Monday 8th February the women were locked in a corridor for 8 hours without access to water and toilet facilities.
There have been a number of solidarity demos in support of the hunger strikers, including outside Yarl's Wood on Sunday 21st at the Serco offices on London on Friday 12th and outside Holloway Prison, in support of 4 of the so-called "ringleaders" of the hunger strike who have been incarcerated there, on Wednesday 17th.
The hunger strike is the latest in a long line of resistance within detention centres in the UK and beyond. For example, there have been disturbances at Harmondsworth centre near Heathrow in November 2006, and more recently at Brook House near Gatwick. 10 people are currently on trial in France, accused of arson at Vincennes CRA (detention centre) near Paris in June 2008.
Upcoming events:
Public meeting, 11/03/10 | Fundraiser, 23/03/10
Further links:
Voices from Yarl's Wood |
History of resistance in UK detention centres
Plenaries, Workshops, Music, Food
RHB 141, Main building, Goldsmiths University, Lewisham Way, New Cross,
March 18, 5 p.m. till late.
We stand united, as students and staff, in opposition to the new points-based immigration rules.... They frame students as suspects and turn staff into border agents. Join us, meet others, and help spread the campaign! With Frances Webber (Human Rights Lawyer), Phil Booth (NO2ID), Valerie Hartwich (Manifesto Club), Sandy Nicoll (SOAS Living Wage Campaign/Justice for Cleaners), speakers from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, No Borders, and more.
Hosted by Goldsmiths Student Union and Goldsmiths UCU
Register at studentsnotsuspects@gmail.com
More details about the campaign at:
http://studentsnotsuspects.blogspot.com/
Join us on Facebook (Students Not Suspects)
Demo at WH Tours, coach company in Crawley that is part of the deportation machine.
Meet 11am at Crawley train station.
Full call out to follow.....
Yarl's Wood Migrant Solidarity are calling a demonstration at midday on Sunday, 14 March in solidarity with the women on hunger strike in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre. We join these women in their protest against the detention of migrants. We support their bravery and we oppose immigration laws that restrict the freedom of movement of those in need.
Saturday 13th March 2010
Demo from midday-1.30pm
Outside Harmondsworth immigration prison near Heathrow.
Noise demo in support of humger strikers in Harmondsworth.
NO BORDER FOLK: Tuesday 23rd March, 7.30pm
Featuring:
* THE INSOLE BAND - country/folk
* CURLY HAIR - folk/lo-fi
* LITTLE B - folk/country
* Plus more acts TBC
@ The Windmill, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton SW2 5BZ
Suggested donation: £3 All monies raised go to the campaign supporting the Yarl's Wood hunger strikers.
Day of action in Paris against the hunt of migrants, against the borders, and for freedom to stay and freedom to move for all!
More info (in French) here.
