hundreds of Mancunians – many of them from charities, campaign groups and religious organizations – gathered in in the city St. Peter’s Square on Sunday in protest against the government’s plan to deport refugees to Rwanda.
FROM just two days left until first refugees from board flights to the Central African country, the protest was one of room place across the UK, and this came amid further legal challenges after the decision of the Supreme Court last week that flights can continue.
Speakers included Maddie Summerfield of Care4 Calais, who described the deportation scheme as “obscene” and told the crowd: “There are 6,500 people in refuge in Manchester system and we are still here again to call for justice for them.”
Other speakers included Martin Empson. of Campaign against climate change, who said: “Many in in global south are facing effects of climate catastrophe on daily. At the same time they met with racism and state oppression at every turn. As a nation, we have to do something.”
He added: “Struggle for stable future means fight for one who is free from oppression.”
Dr. Retta Moran, Human Rights group Nicknamed Rapar for people “stand shoulder to shoulder” and “keep finding ways build solidarity”. Her comment that “it can’t bear on in our name was met with enthusiastic applause.
Moran and other speakers referred to the Sabbath events in Peckham, south London, where protesters blocked a van carrying a man. who was arrested for immigration offenses.
Karen Reissmann of Unison echoed comments attributed to Prince Charles regarding the Rwanda plan when she said: “From London to Manchester and much beyond, people appalled by what is happening.”
Reverend Laurie Windle of temple of England said she came to talk for her collection and added: “Many are horrified by what they consider to be a ‘godless’ haven. system. This piece of legislation is coming against essence of God.”
Meanwhile, members of Manchester Syriac community spoke of their own experience and said their hearts were “broken by this new and racist policy”.
Other groups in attendance included Stand Up to Racism, Amnesty UK, Safety4Sisters, The People’s Assembly and Status Now. network plus the votes of Manchester’s Iranian, Iraqi and West African communities.
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While they were getting ready begin there were marches, chants sounded out of “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.”
Shortly before they left square, artist Will Belshah took microphone and said story of his grandfather arrives in Great Britain from Baghdad, adding that the deportation plan left he is “too angry to temper language or calmly down”.
He concluded: “Anger and civil disobedience are sometimes the only way change things.”
