| ShareTweetForward Press Release… for immediate release.. Emergency protest at Parliament to oppose Illegal Migration Bill as it is heard at next stage – Monday 17 July, 6pm, Parliament Square See event page: https://facebook.com/events/s/protest-no-to-illegalmigration/608191927962663/ MONDAY 17 JULY 6PM PARLIAMENT SQUARE Anti racists are mobilising for an emergency protest on Monday, 17 July, at 6pm outside parliament, called by Stand Up To Racism and Care4Calais in light of the process of the Illegal Migration Bill in parliament. Details for the protest can be found and shared HERE On Monday the Bill is back at parliament for consideration of the Lords’ message. As the Bill proceeds through these late stages of parliamentary debate process, anti racists insist it is crucial that the anti racist movement continues to mobilise the vast opposition that exists to the bill. If passed into law, it will be in breach of international human rights legislation that recognises the international right to seek asylum. While there are no safe or legal routes to reach Britain to claim asylum for the vast majority, the bill will criminalise those who seek asylum by the only means available. Michael Rosen, author and poet, said “This is not the Illegal Immigration Bill. It’s the Scapegoating Bill. A government in trouble is trying the old trick of hoping to shore up support by blaming migrants for its own shortcomings. “This is playing with fire: encouraging hostility towards desperate people. We’ve had a glimpse of what a decent approach to migrants looks like with how Ukrainians have been welcomed. Why the difference?” Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism co convenor, said “This despicable bill represents a profound attack on top of already inadequate and racist immigration policies. “While Sunak’s government whips up racist scapegoating towards refugees, it is fanning the flames of the far right who are looking to grow a racist movement targetting refugees. “Now Sunak has outrageously linked the demands for inflation proof pay rises behind the strikes in the last year to the government’s disgusting attacks on refugee and migrant rights. Today he announced that promised public sector pay increases would be funded in part by hiking the cost of visa applications and the fees migrants pay to access the NHS. As anti racists we must continue to vehemently oppose these measures. “We are proud that trade unions have been at the heart of anti racist resistance to the government’s racist offensive, from the #StopRwanda offshore detention campaign, to defeating the policy of murderous “push backs” in the Channel, to opposition to this Bill, as well as in challenging institutional racism from the Child Q scandal to justice for deaths in custody. “The anti racist movement, with unions at its heart must stand headstrong against the attempts by Sunak’s cabinet’s to play clever with ideological moves that scapegoat migrant and refugees and pitch their human rights against the rights of workers to decent pay rises. “This Bill must be stopped. We hope you can join us – and promote the protest within your networks – outside parliament in Parliament Square on Monday 17 July, 6pm, for this emergency protest to say loud and clear, scrap the #illegalmigrationbill #refugeeswelcome” Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said “Monday’s protest is likely to be the last opportunity to voice opposition to the so-called Illegal Migration Bill. The actual bill is illegal in that it flies in the face of international laws and effectively bans the right to seek asylum in the UK. It represents a fundamental breach of basic human rights. “The whole ‘stop the boats’ campaign is a racist campaign designed to distract from and scapegoat for the government’s deliberate policy of making people worse off so a minority can make billions of pounds of profit. We urge MPs to vote against the bill and ask people to join us outside Parliament on Monday.” Charlotte Khan, Care4Calais, said “If passed, this bill amounts to an asylum ban. It destroys all hope for the right of refugees to seek protection in the UK if they arrive ‘irregularly’. It completely ignores the fact that refugees are driven to such ‘irregularity’ because the UK government fails to provide the safe and legal routes they love to crow on about. “The government offers no such routes for these people, and this bill could leave tens of thousands of men, women, and children in limbo, many indefinitely detained and denied a fair hearing. “This bill does not represent who we are as a people. As a compassionate society, we know all people deserve the right to a fair and just system, and to know a safe home.The Illegal Migration Bill? What a misleading title. Let’s make it very clear: it is not illegal to seek asylum! To arrange further quotes and interviews: info@standuptoracism.org.uk Our mailing address is: Stand Up To RacismPO Box 72710London, Greater London SW19 9GXUnited Kingdom Add us to your address book |