A coalition of groups has called a national demonstration in Durham on May 14th 2022, to protest the new detention centre for women.
From the event organisers on facebook:
In the last few days of 2021, the first women were transferred to Hassockfield (now known as Derwentside) Immigration detention centre. This former prison is only a 30 minute drive away from Durham city centre.
Many of the women incarcerated at Hassockfield are innocent of any criminal activity and are detained for unjust, unnecessary and inhumane administrative purposes. The majority of women within immigration detention have endured unimaginable trauma from human trafficking, modern slavery, torture, abuse and gender-based violence. We know that confinement and imprisonment resurfaces trauma and renders women especially, extremely vulnerable.
The opening of this immigration prison completely contradicts previous Home Office pledges to reduce the number of immigration removal centres (prisons!) across the country. Since March 2021, we have been committed and will continue to be committed to doing all we can to get this prison shut down!
This site could instead be used for something that will bring benefit and hope to those in the surrounding community, creating jobs that aren’t founded in the inhumane exploitation and detention of human beings.
It’s time we made the UK a welcoming, supportive and kind place that welcomes those who are forcibly displaced, no matter where they come from. No one chooses to be a refugee. It is time the Government abolishes its hostile policies, and closing immigration prisons like these is the first step in doing so!Please join us and stand in solidarity against this abhorrent facility. We are calling for the government to #ShutItDown and #SetHerFree!
Speakers to be confirmed Please bring banners with your own messages to the government This demonstration is being organised by No To Hassockfield, Abolish Detention, Durham People’s Assembly and Women For Refugee WomenThis demonstration is being supported by:
– City of Sanctuary
– Durham STAR
– North East Against Racism
– Asylum Matters
– Ben and Jerry’s
– Refugee Action