Asylum seekers stand up against destitution around the Country

A Storify Roundup of all the actions that took place on Saturday 29th June in Bradford, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Glasgow and Birmingham http://sfy.co/aMIx #dignity2013 #dignitynotdestitution called for by Bristol Dignity for Asylum Seekers http://asylumseekersinbristol.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Report from Bradford Day of Action

About 70 people attended 

a Destitution Day of Action in Bradford

, hearing speeches from 

Nigerian asylum seeker 

Harry 

Femi

, who  has first hand experience of the appalling impact of destitution,  local immigration lawyer Barry Clark, who outlined the injustice of a legal process which forces refused asylum seekers into destitution, and 

Bradford City of Sanctuary chair 

Will Sutcliffe who spoke of some of the practical ways that people can get involved locally to support destitute asylum seekers.

Barry Clark told the T&A "The government should not be using destitution as a means to enforce its harsh immigration and asylum policies, leaving people without food, shelter or the right to work"

In his speech, Will Sutcliffe made reference to the academic report published last year,  'No Return, No Asylum. Destitution as a way of life?' which counted 66 people, including 10 children in Bradford, made destitute after their asylum claims were refused.

The event was part of a national day of action on asylum destitution, with events taking place in cities across the UK.

Support and solidarity from Ireland against destitution.

As well as demonstrations happening all over the UK, the Rossport Solidarity Camp in Ireland  sent us a message of solidarity on Saturday, supporting us in calling for the end of destitution.

The message from Rossport in Ireland:

SOLIDARITY STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF BRISTOL DIGNITY FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

London No Borders, Klevis Kola, the London Anti-Raids Network, Stop Deportations,  No One IS Illegal campaign and Calais Migrant Solidarity send this message of solidarity in support of Bristol Dignity for Asylum Seekers in their fight against destitution.
Destitution means no housing, no financial support, no right to work, no access to education, limited access to healthcare, and no recognition, only harassment from the state.Governments’ policies on migration are designed to force and trap people into destitution. No one should be destitute.

We support and we are inspired by all those who demand an end to destitution in the face of, and irrespective of attempts to exclude them from society and silence their voices.  We will continue to challenge and resist unjust, degrading and oppressive policies and policy makers. End destitution now!

Bristol Dignity for Asylum Seekers campaign and all others marching today … We stand with you !

Birmingham is joining us!

Bradford action in City Park

Day of Action in Manchester - Saturday 29th June

Dignity not Destitution is the message a procession of asylum seekers, refugees and supporters will be sharing on 29 June in Manchester.

A day of action is planned in many cities across the UK on 29 June. The Manchester event will take place in the city centre (exact location to be confirmed – watch this space) from 11am to 2.30pm.  The procession starts at 12 noon. If you can help steward the event please email nwinfo@regionalasylumactivism.org

Come along and show solidarity with those who have experienced destitution. For further details visit the Dignity not Destitution website here.

The event is led by asylum seekers, with the support of local organisations including the Boaz Trust.

Glasgow are Standing up for Dignity

STAND UP FOR DIGNITY

Stop Destitution!

Give us the Right to Work!

Housing is a Human Right!

Stand Up for the right to Asylum

JUSTICE, FREEDOM & DIGNITY for ALL!

Rally & Music

12.30 St Enoch’s Square

Glasgow

Supported by the Glasgow Destitution Network

Asylum seekers come to Glasgow for safety but 90 per cent of them will have their asylum claims initially refused by the UK Border Agency.

The UKBA’s asylum process is seriously flawed. Asylum seekers can be reluctant to reveal personal details to officials about how they’ve been attacked, raped or tortured. Many are scared to give information about their sexuality in case it is discovered by other people. Worried that translators belong to rival groups or will leak information, many hold back crucial information. Often they’ve not had time to collect evidence to show they’re telling the truth.

So most asylum seekers are not believed by immigration officials who operate in a cynical, canteen-culture of disbelief and racism against people they’re supposed to be helping.

Many asylum seekers in Glasgow make two or three asylum applications before getting a positive decision. While they wait for new evidence or for lawyers to prepare judicial reviews, asylum seekers often face destitution.

Instead of safety, many asylum seekers in Glasgow face sleeping rough and becoming dependent on the help of friends and charities to survive.

Refused asylum seekers are not allowed any ‘recourse to public funds’, all financial support is stopped and they lose their accommodation after 21 days. Once homeless - ‘No recourse to public funds’ means destitute asylum seekers are blocked from government funded night shelters or hostels.

Refused asylum seekers are left to live without any money, unable to access anything but emergency medical treatment, sleeping rough or couch-surfing until they can get a fresh asylum claim lodged. They become vulnerable to exploitation and face working illegally and crime to survive.

Destitution is a deliberate policy used by the UK Border Agency to force asylum seekers to give up their asylum claims and return ‘voluntarily’ to their countries of origin. It is a brutal, immoral policy that goes against basic human rights.

 Join us on Saturday 29th June

Stand up for your rights!

Stand up for Dignity!

12.30 St Enoch’s Square

GLASGOW

Leeds to join our national day of action

Message from Leeds: 

"dear friends,
firstly THANK YOU so much for calling for this protest.
There's a lot of excitement here in leeds :)
the mural is amazing....

Please support their blog and let  friends in Leeds know:

http://leedsdignityforasylumseekers.wordpress.com/

Visit to Cardiff

A group of us visited Woman Seeking Sanctuary Group in Cardiff to tell them about our campaigning history, what we have achieved so far, how we have done it and to invite them to join us in the next step - a national day of asylum seekers taking action against destitution.

Amie spoke about how when she got involved in Bristol Refugee Rights she was so shy and didn't dare speak out about what was happening but with lots of support, she began to take part in events where she told lots of people what it is like to live without anything - no rights to work, to housing, to a normal life.

Manesh spoke about how he started being allowed to go to college and how it was so important for him to learn to read and write in english. Then they turned round and told him he couldn't. He wanted to change this situation and so spoke out at a protest to stop cuts to english classes. from here he got more and more confident to take part in campaigning.

People listened attentively. They began to ask questions - aren't you scared that home office will punish you for speaking out and that it will jeapordise your case?

We were, but not any more. We know we have a lot of support and feel stronger because of this. We know people will speak out if the Home Office tries to deport any of us.