Protests at British immigration detention centres intensify
- Text by Jacob Forsyth-Davies
- Photography by Jacob Forsyth-Davies
Hundreds of protestors gathered at Dungavel Detention Centre in Scotland this weekend, to demand the closure of immigration removal centres across the United Kingdom.
Over 400 people gathered at the rural site of Dungavel, in South Lanarkshire, making their way from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, and across the rest of Scotland. Activists rocked up with banners, megaphones, drums, speakers, and a sound system, determined to make their presence heard to those being indefinitely detained inside, simply by virtue of their place of birth.
The action itself was organised by We Will Rise, with the help of other groups including Sisters Uncut, Borderline Europe and Glasgow Refugee & Asylum Seekers Solidarity.
We Will Rise is a campaigning organisation that brings together refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, and allies working together to fight against oppressive and discriminatory policies, with the ultimate goal of abolishing detention Centres such as Dungavel, Yarls Wood, Dunkirk, and others.
Using megaphones, messages in French, Kurdish, Syrian were yelled over the fences to remind those inside they’d not been forgotten, met with grateful and wild applause. Songs of solidarity were sung by both parties, in moments of high emotion.
It wasn’t the only action taking place, with protestors lining the fields surrounding the notorious Yarl’s Wood Detention Centre in Bedford, England, too.
Campaigners have long been calling for the closure of detention centres in Britain, arguing the indefinite imprisonment of those seeking refuge and safety in the United Kingdom must end. The current policy enforced by the Home Office of detention sees individuals suspected of visa violations and those subject to deportation held until a decision is made on their case.
According to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees, the UK is the only country in the European Union not to have a time limit on detention.
To check out more of Jacob’s work, visit his website.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
A timeless, dynamic view of the Highland Games
Long Walk Home — Robbie Lawrence travelled to the historic sporting events across Scotland and the USA, hoping to learn about cultural nationalism. He ended up capturing a wholesome, analogue experience rarely found in the modern age.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The rave salvaging toilets for London’s queers
Happy Endings — Public bathrooms have long been contested spaces for LGBTQ+ communities, and rising transphobia is seeing them come under scrutiny. With the infamous rave-in-a-bog at an east London institution, its party-goers are claiming them for their own.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Baghdad’s first skatepark set to open next week
Make Life Skate Life — Opening to the public on February 1, it will be located at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the city centre and free-of-charge to use.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Nydia Blas explores Black power and pride via family portraits
Love, You Came from Greatness — For her first major monograph, the photographer and educator returned to her hometown of Ithaca, New York, to create a layered, intergenerational portrait of its African American families and community.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Meet the muxes of Juchitán, Mexico’s Indigenous third gender
Zapotec folk — Having existed since the pre-colonial era in southeast Oaxaca state, a global rise in LGBTQ+ hate is seeing an age-old culture face increasing scrutiny. Now, the community is organising in response, and looking for a space to call their own.
Written by: Peter Yeung
Russian hacktivists are using CCTV networks to protest Putin
Putin’s Jail — In Kurt Caviezel’s project using publicly accessible surveillance networks from around the world, he spotlights messages of resistance spread among the cameras of its biggest country.
Written by: Laura Witucka