Right to Remain, These Walls Must Fall and the No To Hassockfield Campaign hosted an online launch meeting for the National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention in October. 

We have three months to prepare for our big day, Saturday 18 October. Over 40 people from many parts of the UK, some representing groups and others as individuals, attended the meeting to start thinking about how they want to be involved. There was already such a warm feeling of comradeship and solidarity – we left the meeting feeling energised and excited.  

Maggy, our These Walls Must Fall Organiser, explained the context of the National Day of Solidarity, what we achieved at our last year’s national demonstration at the Derwentside Immigration Detention Centre with so many people with lived experience. Our recent experience of the Free Fatou campaign firmed our resolve further to stand against immigration detention. 

Mel from the No To Hassockfled Campaign gave us practical information and advice about the demonstration planned outside the Derwentside detention centre on the day. They have been holding monthly demonstrations for 40 months now, and they will be acting our guide as we prepare our demonstration. We also shared coach arrangements: Right to Remain is organising coaches from Manchester and Liverpool, and SYMAAG will have a coach leaving from Sheffield. There is also a talk of Peace and Justice Scotland organising a demo outside the Dungavel on the same day. 

While the demonstration is an important part of us coming together in solidarity with people affected by immigration detention, recent spikes in immigration raids and other immigration enforcement in our communities is a reminder that we must work harder to build resistance against the Hostile Environment in every part of the UK. We discussed options for hosting local solidarity events (instead of joining the demonstrations): on reporting, raids, detention and solidarity. 

If you were not at the meeting and want to get involved, here’s some information that you might find useful. 

1. Fill in this google form to register actions

If you haven’t already, please fill out the Google form to register your interest in taking action on the day. This is our current way of keeping track of plans across the UK and helping connect people where possible. If you’d prefer not to complete the form but would still like to be in touch, feel free to email us at esther@righttoremain.org.uk

2. Coaches

If you’re planning to organise a coach from your region, feel free to let us know so we can help spread the word. Right to Remain will be organising coaches from Manchester and Liverpool. Maybe you and your friends want to oragnise one from your area? Use the Google form above ane let us know.

3. Flyers and graphics

If you’d like printed flyers sent to you, let us know. We also have an A4 leaflet about the National Day of Solidarity which you can download from here. Additional open-source graphics will be available to download from our website in the coming week. Feel free to use and share them widely.

4. Upcoming dates

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 17 September at 7pm. This will be an online rally to re-energise and share updates on planned actions. We will release info soon on how to register.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch at esther@righttoremain.org.uk and/or No2hassockfield@outlook.com. Earlier the better!