On Tuesday 16 September, more than 30 people joined us on Zoom for an online rally in preparation for the National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention on 18 October 2025.

Our organiser, Maggy, opened the meeting by explaining why this demonstration is so vital for communities with lived experience of the asylum and immigration system. Within our campaign group These Walls Must Fall, many members have been detained themselves and spoke of the lasting harm it causes. Regardless of how long someone is held, or how long ago it happened, detention leaves behind deep fear, confusion, and trauma.

We then heard from Lamin, the brother of our community member Fatou, who was detained earlier this year after attending a routine reporting appointment. Lamin spoke powerfully about his sister Fatou’s experience at the hands of the Home Office, who deliberately create an environment so traumatising and disorienting that people are left vulnerable and silenced. His message was clear: join the fight against inhumane detention and stand up for the rights and dignity of our communities.

The rally continued with a panel discussion featuring Stella Shyanguya from Beyond Detention, Max Farrar, co-secretary of the #RememberOluwale charity in Leeds, and our own These Walls Must Fall campaigner, Vengai Mutsawu of ROHR Zimbabwe. The panel focused on deeply personal reflections and lived experiences of detention. Max shared insights from decades of work in education, law, and activism, as well as from his recent book Big Flame: New Movements, New Politics. He articulated how the present Hostile Environment is embedded in the long history of imperialism. Stella spoke rawly and with grace about the enduring impact of detention, describing how it continues to affect every part of her life; work, family, and friendships. She also demonstrated how people do survive and thrive, despite the time robbed by immigration detention. Ven described detention as ‘a violent system that traps people who are fleeing from another violent system’. He spoke about the trauma detention causes, how the entire system has to go, highlighting the importance of our collective fight for justice and dignity that centre marginalised voices.

The panel was profoundly moving. Each speaker shared with honesty and clarity, sharing stories that gave real meaning and urgency to the Day of Solidarity. The discussion left a heavy weight in the room, and participants were invited into a moment of silence to reflect on the stories we had heard.

We then moved on to practical updates about the upcoming demonstration. Why Derwentside? Partnering with the No To Hassockfield campaign ensures we are supported by a group with local knowledge, who visit the site every week and understand the logistical challenges of organising a demonstration of this scale. We are grateful for their expertise.

Updates included information about timings, travel arrangements, and the potential presence of police. More detailed guidance will be circulated the week before the demonstration – please sign up to our Newsletter to ensure you have the most up to date information. Manuchehr from SYMAAG in Sheffield announced a coach from Sheffield to Derwentside, while Esther reported on planned local actions in Leeds, Glasgow, and London.

As we neared the end of the rally, Boucka from VVIDY paid his tribute to Pious, one of our original These Walls Must Fall campaigners, who passed away recently. His call to action reaffirmed our shared sense of urgency and energy to make the 18 October a success – a day to celebrate our unstoppable solidarity. 

As she closed the rally, Maggy pulled up our No One Is Illegal flag and spread it across our Zoom screen. Referring to the hostile display of flags which has been terrorising our community, Maggy said:

‘At our demonstration to end detention on 18 October, we will fly our own flags. Our flags say Migration Is Life, Solidarity Knows No Borders, No One Is Illegal and These Walls Must Fall.’ 

If you would like to organise an event in your town or city, or join an existing one, please complete the Google Form below. Esther will be in touch next week with further details and will publish information about the different actions being planned – so don’t miss out!