Surround #YarlsWood
Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/07/2015
1:30 pm
Location
Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal
Category(ies)
On 8th August we return to Yarls Wood women’s immigration detention centre in force – join us in a movement that can bring an end to the hated, rotten, racist system of detention.
The demonstration at Yarls Wood on Saturday June 6th was at its most powerful and empowering, the moment the windows of Yarl’s Wood IRC came into sight, when the movement inside and outside detention connected as one; visibly, and audibly.
That was when the desire to see Yarl’s Wood shut down became a real possibility in people’s minds; because a united movement as determined to fight for justice as we were becomes an unstoppable force. We must continue making every effort humanly possible to build this movement – that is how we know we can win.
Movement for Justice (MFJ) received this text message from a young Yarl’s Wood detainee, Marina the day after…
“The protesting was amazing, I enjoyed every single moment. That was the time to let that anger out and put forward the craving for freedom. Yarl’s Wood is such a confinement and a depressing place that detainees were hoping that protesters would break the gate so we could all escape, some even had their bags ready just in case. I am sure what we did will not be a waste. Thanks to everyone for such a great day”
The power and joy felt inside and outside the walls of Yarls Wood was palpable. The hated rows of fences and barbed wire were breached, and with it the power of intimidation that Serco and immigration hold. The fences are seen from the unit windows everyday, reminding detainees of their captivity in Yarl’s Wood. But on the 6th June we were reminded that what was built can also be torn down.
From outside we listened to the women shout, saw them waving handmade flags and written signs, and we joined them in chanting ‘Shut Down Yarls Wood’. Uniting together, inside and outside, we made history and together we have the task of fulfilling the promise of that demonstration; that those walls will fall.
We left shouting “WE WILL BE BACK” – We will be back, and back, and back untill we WIN!