Man arrested for immigration offenses were issued on bail after protesters have gathered in south east london on Saturday for hours block the van in which he was transported in from care.
Video recording posted on Twitter showed the crowd of about 200 people sits on Earth in front of in vehicle in Peckham, while another clip showed the members of in public stand and shout “let him go”.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to Evan Cook Close, near Queens Road railway station, shortly after 1:30 p.m. “for a report”. of protesters interfere with immigration officers,” and said officers remained at the scene shortly before 5 p.m.
representative for in force said: “Officers were present and found the van was not allowed to leave location.
“One person has been arrested. for immigration offenses.”
The Met later reported that the man was arrested by immigration officials and has since been released. on pledge.
Eleanor Janega, 39, from southeast London, told the PA. news agency: “We were warned that there was an immigration raid in process so that the locals came down to block it.
“We were sitting here, blocking the van, eating candy.
“They brought more police in and tried to break through the crowd by pushing us. We all sat down”.
This was stated by the local labor adviser Reginald Popula. people “peacefully surrounded the van”, but some were pushed during the demonstration.
Popula added: “He is released, peaceful protest powerful”.
Claudia Webbe, independent MP for Leicester East, praised by the protesters “humanity and solidarity” on Twitter:
“It people power – it’s so beautiful to see.
Organization Lewisham Antiraids tweeted: “After 4 hours of resistance and crowd of 200 people they let our neighbor go! People power wins. We scream “don’t come near back to Peckham!
