PRESS RELEASE…
Thursday 1st October 2020
Anti-racists to protest against Johnson’s plans for ‘offshore detention’ for asylum seekers.
This Saturday 3 October at 12 noon anti-racists will be at Downing Street protesting against government plans for Australian style offshore detention of asylum seekers.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/5PWWXnbGx
The plans to copy the brutal Australian detention system have already been widely condemned as opening up the possibility of a humanitarian crisis.
The announcement, coming at the start of Black History Month, shows the government’s intention to use the scapegoating of refugees and migrants as a way to divert criticism of their handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
It goes hand in hand with a series of brutal initiatives such as the deportation the targeting and deportations of the Windrush generation and the refusal by Johnson and Patel to admit unaccompanied child refugees.
Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said: “This year millions of people marched across the globe to say Black Lives Matter – a slogan which applies to refugees risking their lives and often dying fleeing war, persecution and poverty. The proposal of an offshore asylum processing centre contravenes international law and is simply an attempt to distract and deflect attention away from the government’s failure in response to a worsening Covid19 and economic crisis.”
Stand Up To Racism co convenor Weyman Bennett said:“At the start of Black History months Johnson is planning for prison flights to take asylum seekers half way around the world copying Australia’s racist ‘offshore detention’ policy. This is a disgrace. It’s all about dog whistle racism. Such ‘offshore’ camps are nothing more than a dumping grounds for those fleeing poverty and war.”
For further interviews and quotes:
info@standuptoracism.org.uk
Stand Up To Racism International Conference (online) on Sat 17 & Sun 18 October.
‘Black Lives Matter – No to Trump & Johnson’s Racist Offensive’ with speakers from the UK, US & across the world.