DEMO: solidarity with the Harmondsworth detainees on mass hunger strike
MayDay bank holiday Monday, 5 May. 1.30PM. Harmondsworth Detention Centre, near Heathrow.
PLEASE SPREAD WIDELY.
On Friday 2 May over 150 people detained in Harmondsworth migration prison staged a sit-down occupation of the main courtyard and began hunger strike. They issued a set of demands protesting against the cruel ‘Fast Track’ system under which refugees seeking asylum are immediately imprisoned before their claims are even heard, as well as further mistreatment in detention.
The detainees have been in contact asking for our solidarity and that we help their voices be heard outside the prison walls. We will hold a solidarity demonstration on the MayDay bank holiday (Monday 5 May) outside the prison to let them know they are not alone. Please bring musical instruments and anything that makes a noise so that they can hear us through the walls.
The Home Office have met with delegates of the protestors and said that they will give answers to their demands on Tuesday 6 May. The hunger strike is suspended while detainees wait for these answers. We want to let the detainees know we are with them in solidarity, and the Home Office know that we will not let the detainees’ protest be ignored and hidden. A simultaneous demo will take place outside Dungavel detention centre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Signed:
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For more information on the Harmondsworth protests and the protestors’ demands in full see:
https://network23.org/antiraids/2014/05/02/update-mass-hunger-strike-in-harmondsworth-detention-centre/
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How to get to Harmondsworth:
Harmondsworth IRC, Colnbrook Bypass, Longford, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 0HB
Train
The nearest stations are Hatton Cross, West Drayton, Uxbridge.
Trains run regularly from London Paddington to West Drayton, and the centres are a 15 minute bus journey on U3or 350.
Buses
Fastest: Bus 350 from West Drayton station – get off at Colnbrook Bypass
Bus U3 from West Drayton and Uxbridge to Hatch Lane.
Bus 81 from Hounslow West to Longford Village.
By Car
From M4 West – Exit junction 5. Take 3rd exit at roundabout onto A4 sign posted Colnbrook. Head towards London along A4 for approximately 3 miles.
Pass over motorway and continue straight ahead at the traffic lights. After the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Harmondsworth IRC is the building on the left hand side.
From M4 East – Exit junction 4A onto M4 spur road towards Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3. At ‘Concorde’ roundabout take 2nd exit towards Slough onto the A4. Travel for approximately 1 mile, until you reach a set of
traffic lights, turn right at the lights and continue until you reach a roundabout. At the roundabout turn right to come back down the road you travelled and at the lights turn right to bring you back on the A4. After
the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Harmondsworth IRC is the building on the left hand side.
From M25 – Exit junction 14 onto A3113 (Airport Way) towards Heathrow Terminal 4 and cargo. At next roundabout take 1st exit onto A3044 towards Colnbrook / Longford. At next roundabout continue straight ahead until you
reach as set of traffic lights. Turn right at the lights and take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Harmondsworth IRC is the building on the left hand side. Limited parking available to visitors.