Press Archives

2 April 2005

A march for migrants and free movement

Migrants are under attack in the UK every day whether from the vitriolic rhetoric of politicians seeking re-election, repressive laws which deny them their rights, racists, or unscrupulous employers. But on Saturday April 2 migrants and their supporters marched through the streets of London to protest their right to freedom of movement and to stay here - and against a Britain based on exclusion.

The march was one taking place on the same day in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe. In the UK the events were organised by migrant organisations and other supporters, including trade unions, anti-racist groups, black community organisations, women's associations, and human rights groups.

In London a carnival-style demo started at Clerkenwell Green moving through the East End to finish in Haggerston Park with speeches and stalls. Other marches took place in city centres and outside detention centres in Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Oxford and Canterbury.

Bill MacKeith, of the April 2 Organising Committee, said:

“Migrants are despised, incarcerated and physically attacked when their only crime has been to travel here to seek human rights protection or just to make a better life for themselves.

“These are legitimate goals for any human being and everyone should have the right to freedom of movement and to stay here to secure them. We thank everyone who joined us on Saturday and took a stand against those who would turn Britain and Europe into fortresses.”

Media contacts: Rhian Beynon 020 7 553 7464 or Bill MacKeith 01865 558 145

Notes to editors:

The April 2nd Organising is an ad hoc group of organisations and individuals responding to the call which came from last October's European Social Forum meeting in London to make that date a day of solidarity with Europe's migrant workers and refugees. The ESF declaration was: "We stand against racism and Fortress Europe and for the rights of migrants and asylum seekers; for freedom of movement; for citizenship of residence and the closing of detention centres. We oppose deportation of migrants. We propose a day of action on 2 April 2005, against racism, for freedom of movement and for the right to stay as an alternative to a Europe based on exclusion and exploitation."

The April 2 supporting organisations include: Halkevi Kurdish and Turkish Community Association, Barbed Wire Britain, BG-BEN, Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers, FED-BIR, Frassanito Network, Hackney Refugee and Migrants Support Group, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, London Rhythms of Resistance, No One is Illegal - UK, The Refugee Project, Jewish Socialist Group, Zimbabwe Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers, National Union of Journalists, Precarity Assembly, WOMBLES, Iranian Peoples Struggle Defence Committee, VOICE Refugee Forum, Respect Party, Peace and Progress Party, London Anti-Authoritarians, BRAIN.

Other UK events included:

• In Manchester three feeder marches will converge on the city centre for a rally, 2.30 in Albert Square on the themes "Detained, Deported, Disappeared - Hands Off Our Mates".
• In Glasgow there will be a demonstration outside offices of the Home Office, 200 Brand Street, 11am.
• Nottingham - Noise Protest - Market Square at noon
• Birmingham - stall and street theatre with Banner Theatre, Bullring, 12 noon
• Oxford, 12 noon Broad Street, stall, music, street theatre
• Canterbury - vigil to support and remember those stolen from us by an unjust immigration system, Sunday the 3rd of April at 12 noon, Butter Market
  

For more info about events in the UK see www.april2.org.uk.

For information about events in Europe see http://noborder.org/actionday2005/display.php?id=334