Chairman of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission Trevor Phillips’ speech at the Confederation of British Industry yesterday has resulted in a lot of media attention about the disproportionate effect of economic crisis on the white working class who are after all a majority in UK. And it’s quite right that the right-wing may use simple statistics to scapegoat migrants workers as poverty and employment strikes.
Not only do we find that 100,000’s of EU nationals in the UK have already left due to losing jobs or deciding it’s not worth staying anymore, but even though many are eligible to claim benefits including Job Seekers’ Allowance, government figures show there have been only 4,647 successful JSA applications from eastern Europeans since 2004. So any idea of migrants scrounging of the state is nonsense. If any finger is to be pointed, it’s at the capitalist system that cares little about working people whereever they are from, as long as we work and don’t cause trouble.
Custard pie in the face for Phil Woolas in Manchester… Immigration minister Phil Woolas was pied during a debate at the University of Manchester on 24th October following his remarks in the national press for more stringent population controls. The immigration minister Phil Woolas was first asked for his passport, then given an ‘eco-nationalist award’ and finally had a pie thrown in his face by a group from Manchester No Borders. Manchester NB also denounced his attempts to scapegoat immigrants for the ongoing economic and ecological crises. Read the full report and see a video on the Manchester No Borders website: When it’s clearer than ever that the rich and powerful are responsible, by their greed, for economic and environmental woes, blame must be put where it’s due. The ruling class has always used divide and rule to protect its position in society and all attempts to shift the blame must be exposed and opposed. Historically, both capitalism and the nation state have their origins in power and money grabbing ventures by a small minority (who ironically may also have immigrant origins like William the Conqueror and the Royal Family) who just love it when ordinary people turn on ourselves instead of recognising them as the true causes of poverty. Read more for a leaflet from Manchester No Borders. Follow this link for an analysis of the bogus ‘overpopulation’ argument. Continue reading Manchester No Borders ‘pie’ Phil Woolas after population control remarks→
No Borders / Small World Kitchen will hold the now regular event at the Sumac Centre in Forest Fields, with discussion on a topic relevant to migration or asylum seeker issues, followed by traditional African vegan food provided by the Women’s Group of the Nottingham & Notts Refugee Forum. Starts 7pm. The discussion will be about the relationship of small arms (and the not so small arms) trade to the reasons why so many people are forced to relocate or flee from violence, and what can be done about it here in Nottingham.There will also be another Small World Cinema event on Wednesday 12th November. Continue reading No Borders & Small World Kitchen @ Sumac on Halloween night – 31st October at 7pm→
Since Jane Mary Mutetsi, who was born in Rwanda but had found sanctuary in Britain after growing up in Uganda, was forcibly removed from Nottingham to Uganda by this government on 16th October. Since returning she has not left the house. She has got no money. She has got no work. She is ill. She spent the first two days at one house, the next at another. How can it be different? After a lifetime in Uganda, taken there by her parents with the rest of the family when just a child, all of her own children born in Uganda, Jane Mary must attend an Immigration interview next Tuesday. The Ugandan authorities don’t understand why she has been returned to Uganda and not Rwanda. At the moment they are saying that she should go to Rwanda. If she wants to apply to enter Uganda, she should do so from Rwanda. It isn’t a surprise, it’s just so clear that the Home Office couldn’t care less where people are returned to as long as they bring the numbers down here. Continue reading Unwanted refugee bumped from pillar to post by nation states→
After the despicable stepping in of British Midlands Airways (BMI) to fly out Babi Badalov by force after Azerbaijan Airline bowed to pressure not to do it, South Wales No Borders have called for sustained action against BMI. In their leaflet [attachment=19] they say, “On the 20th October let?s hit BMI with everything we?ve got! Then let?s do this on the 20th of every month until BMI see sense.”
Update: Jane Mary Mutetsi was forcibly removed last night by Kenya Airways to Nairobi en route to Entebbe, Uganda. Immigration ‘escorts’ tried to assure her that the authorities in Uganda will not know that she is a ‘failed asylum seeker’. Jane Mary was concerned that if the authorities know, that she will be immediately arrested. But usually the authorities in the country of origin know even before the person has even boarded the plane here. They also know because the passenger is escorted and ‘handed’ to the authorities. They know because the passenger flies without a passport, but with travel documents issued by the UK Government. She will not be forgotten and friends will try and help her keep safe. The Home Office, their contracted escorts (who midlead people to get them to comply) and the airline, must be held responsible for the consequences.
E-petition launched against Jane Mary Mutetsi’s removal
Jane Mary Mutetsi Detained again / second attempt to remove – tomorrow Jane Mary Mutetsi, born in Rwanda and lived most of her life in Uganda, was ‘captured’ when reporting Monday morning in Nottingham and is currently detained in Yarl’s Wood IRC, due to be forcibly removed from the UK on Thursday 16th October @ 20.00 hrs on Kenya Airways flight KQ101 from London Heathrow to Nairobi and KQ410 to Entebbe, Uganda. Please help Jane Mary Mutetsi to remain in the UK. Sign the E-petition http://www.PetitionOnline.com/janemary/petition.html Read more for addresses to write to (HO and airline). Jane Mary Mutetsi belongs to Nottingham. Continue reading Jane Mary Mutetsi was removed on Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi, en route to Entebbe, Uganda→
The Country Guidance Tribunal set for 28th March has been moved to Thursday April 12th. There wil be a demo on Wednesday as planned and a further, hopefully even bigger demonstraion on April 12th. Watch this space for details.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum. Friends of Amdani Juma. Press release: Thursday 9th October 2008: AMDANI JUMA: CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM BUILDS AS DECISION DELAYED AGAIN
400 more petition signatures were faxed to the Home Office today and more people pledged their support as campaigners made preparations for a city centre rally this weekend to highlight Amdani?s situation. The rally will take place on Saturday 11 October in Nottingham Market Square at 12.30. A washing line of pages from the online petition, currently at over 2,750 will “be hung out to dry” to demonstrate how Amdani himself has been left “hanging on” for over 5 years, waiting for a decision to grant him a safe and secure future and allow him to get on with his life. The Home Office has delayed the hearing scheduled for Tuesday, 14 October prolonging the wait even further.
Supporters have informed us that Mustafa Abdulrahim Mustafa is still here after his removal to Sudan by BMI (British Midland Airways Limited) was due to take place on Saturday Oct 4th, but please continue to fax letters to the home secretary and immigration minister on his behalf. He is still in Campsfield House (Immigration Removal Centre in Oxfordshire) and the Home Office say they have no plans to release him.
We also have the good news (see also Evening Post article) that Selina and her children were arriving home to Nottingham as of 4th Oct, after they were detained for removal to Ghana by British Airways on Friday 3rd. A neighbour drove to London to collect them as soon as they knew she was being released. Selina has seen that 940 supporters signed a petition in support of her and the children (now over 1020 signatures). Brian (aged 8) is very happy ‘to be out of the Dungeon’, and we are hoping that little Chelsea (5) will start eating again soon, because she wouldn’t eat in Yarl’s Wood (Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire). The campaign has learnt is that another family with young children ‘disappeared’ from the same school (St Patricks, in Wilford) over the summer holidays, and an older sister bringing a younger sibling to school mentioned that her family had beein in Yarlswood for three months last year. This is just one primary school… we need to keep the Campaign going for Selina, and we need to think about what else is going on in our midst.
For freedom of movement, Against nationhood and prevention of migration by nation states, Welcoming asylum seekers and migrant workers, Against capitalist exploitation
Custard pie in the face for Phil Woolas in Manchester… Immigration minister Phil Woolas was pied during a debate at the University of Manchester on 24th October following his remarks in the national press for more stringent population controls. The immigration minister Phil Woolas was first asked for his passport, then given an ‘eco-nationalist award’ and finally had a pie thrown in his face by a group from Manchester No Borders. 
No Borders / Small World Kitchen will hold the now regular event at the 
After the despicable stepping in of 
