Civil organizations protest the British government’s plan to deport immigrants to Rwanda

July 16 () –

Civil organizations have taken to the streets of major British cities this Saturday to protest against the deportation of immigrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda.

“Refugees welcome!” Participants have chanted at gatherings such as those in Cambridge, Cardiff, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford or Sheffield, the NGO Care4Calais has reported.

The images spread on social networks show concentrations at the Casa Brook Immigration Withdrawal Center, next to Gatwick International Airport, and in front of the Colnbrook Immigration Withdrawal Center, next to Heathrow International Airport.

“We know there are many people against Rwanda’s brutal plan and we are delighted to see many of them making their voices heard today,” said Care4Calais Director Clare Moseley. “We have seen up close the human cost of locking people up and telling them they will be sent to Rwanda, from suicide attempts to hunger strikes,” she explained. “We now have six weeks to show the government that this cruel plan is not what the people of the UK want,” she added.

These demonstrations are part of the #StopRwanda campaign of the Trade Union Congress, Care4Calais and Stand Up to Racism. It is backed by 11 unions, including the Commercial and Public Services Union — which represents more than 80 percent of Border Force personnel — and immigrant rights organizations.

The Minister of the Interior, Priti Patel, presented in April the “pioneering” project to deport immigrants who have arrived illegally in British territory to Rwanda, where their asylum application could be processed.

The first deportation flight was scheduled for June, but a judicial appeal prevented it from being carried out. Care4Calais and Action Detention promoters of the appeal have announced that the hearing will not be held until September.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in office, but all the candidates to succeed him have declared their intention to respect the program of deportations to Rwanda.