Today, at Oakington detention centre in Cambridgeshire, many other migrant people held there against their will have protested following the death of a 40 year old man earlier in the morning:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/8623025.stm
Downplaying the seriousness of another death in a detention centre and the response by detainees, press have reported that cops have been sent in to negotiate about the ‘disturbance’, backed up by ‘protective kit’ (as if it’s police safety that is the issue here rather than the safety of the people locked up in an old RAF base converted into a prison!). But this should not be downplayed. Death in detention is certainly not a new phenomenon. As long ago as 2005 deaths and suicides in detention centres were being highlighted:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/inquiry-urged-over-increase-in-detention-centre-deaths-507156.html
Nor is the brave response by those detained a new thing. In 2004 persons held by Her Majesty’s government rioted after one death at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow airport.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/death-in-cell-sparks-riot-at-detention-centre-for-immigrants-553898.html
Detainees who resist their treatment and incarceration must be supported by anyone with an ounce of humanity. Deaths in custody must not go unnoticed. All immigration detention centres must be closed immediately. 9 deaths in UK detention centres are documented here but there have been more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_custody