By Miriam Scharf

On Monday 18th December about 150 anti-racists joined the protest outside the Home Office in solidarity with refugees and migrants on UN Migrants’ Day. The protest was called by Stand Up To Racism, XR London, several unions including the PCS, Care4Calais, and many local groups who have poured their hearts into providing support for refugees. 

Speakers pointed out the government has spent £290million so far on the failed Rwanda scheme and £22.5million on the Bibby Stockholm detention barge in Dorset. Charlotte Khan from Care4Calais declared, “The deaths on the Bibby Stockholm and in the Channel are the responsibility of the government.”  An activist from the Dorset group who have mounted a great campaign highlighting the abuses of using the Bibby Stockholm, also reported on the recent suicide, “We knew this was going to happen. We’ve seen how low, anxious and depressed this detention system has made people” .

Sudanese refugee Aziz said, “Many of us have had terrible experiences. We say thank you to those who say refugees welcome.” Another African refugee spoke of the UK’s history of colonialism, extraction and war against indigenous peoples and the present day consequences.  XR supporter Melissa linked migration to the climate crisis, “The environmental crisis and racism are linked. They are two aspects of a way of life that amplifies money and then divides those who protest. We need to resist together.”

MPs Richard Burgen, Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell all spoke powerfully about the injustices of the government, blaming refugees for the multiple crises making people’s lives worse. John McDonnell explained the detention camps in his constituency had grown from a Nissan hut for 12 people in the 1980s to prison accommodation for thousands now, and there had been suicides there too. He described how the Home Office now trying to clear migrants through the system quickly, to improve public perceptions that they are ‘dealing with the problem’. But although “Ninety-five percent of those going through the system succeed in getting some status, they are turned out onto the streets at often only one week’s notice and with no support”.

Protesters were reminded that Sunak and Suella Braverman’s replacement James Cleverly, were demanding changes to international treaties that safeguard the right to claim asylum and that scapegoating migrants was a major weapon being used by right wing politicians across Europe to divide us.

Interspersed with chants of ‘Refugees Welcome Here’ the message coming across loud and clear was the importance of fighting for unity among working class people against their real enemies, and not be divided by racist scapegoating of migrants and refugees.