The British government plans to begin deporting migrants to the African nation starting next week, which has prompted a protest chanting “no Rwanda” to gather outside an immigration removal facility on Sunday. The purpose of the nationwide protest is to show support for the men and women who are being held in detention facilities.
Numerous activists marched to the Brook House Immigration Removal Center near Crawley, West Sussex’s Gatwick Airport. “We are with you,” “let them free,” and “deportations no more… Britain is a racist state” were yelled by dozens of protesters. The immigration center’s perimeter fence was beaten by some protesters, and it appeared that the residents were responding by chanting.
Rallies are planned outside of the Home Office’s new all-female immigration deportation center in County Durham, Derwentside, as well as Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, which are also close to Heathrow. People inside appeared to chant “No Rwanda” to the protesters. It was organized by a large network of organizations fighting for the rights of migrants and refugees, including Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants, the All African Women’s Group, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, and SOAS Detainee to support the protest.
According to the plans, some individuals who infiltrated the United Kingdom unlawfully would be taken to Rwanda to request refuge there. The first flight to the African nation could take off on Tuesday according to a High Court decision, but activists plan to appeal this decision in the Court of Appeal on Monday.
Geraldine, a Zimbabwean refugee, is one among many taking part in the demonstrations against the “inhumane” agreement. She stated to the media that the UK’s refugee population has grown fearful as a result of the government’s plans to deport asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Rwanda. She added “we are frightened because they could start with the asylum seekers before moving on to us, the refugees, she questioned. What if they respond, “Now we’ll find another area where we should take you?”
Everyone is afraid of the genocide that took place in Rwanda. Even South Africans follow the opposition and activists, according to the local administration there. In order to avoid being deported to Rwanda, women are now going underground, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.
Despite continuous legal challenges to the plans, the Home Office has still held scores of people in anticipation of sending them on a one-way flight to Rwanda. Reports state that at least one woman has also been held and informed in writing of the government’s intention to send them back to Rwanda.
Geraldine also stated that she wished to convey to prisoners this weekend that they are “not alone” in their situation. There are other asylum seekers and refugees who are considering them, who are standing by them, and who understand their suffering because we have experienced the same thing—not knowing what will happen to you today or even tonight.
However, on Saturday, protesters will assemble in Oxford’s Bonn Square to oppose the government’s plan to restore Camps field Detention Center, which was shut down four years prior due to complaints about the treatment of inmates. They will also protest the government’s intention to reopen Manchester.
