At a recent mobilising meeting of the asylum, refugee, and migrants network for the European Social Forum, 20 asylum seekers signed up to go to the ESF in London in October. They have fled from repression in Russia, the Congo, Uganda, Iran, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. The main questions raised were whether any Government Ministers would be at the ESF and whether the ESF would be just a talking shop or do something. When people heard how "they lied about the war, just like they lie about asylum seekers", and how "it was the ESF in Florence that called the mighty February 15th anti war demo" they were keen to attend, saying the ESF should "call some action in support of asylum seekers". Funds are pledged from local trades unions and the Trades Council to help subsidise the mobilisation. Asylum seekers, refugees or migrants who want to go or offers of financial contributions to cover costs to:
Mark Krantz, Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers (07765 122 829, mark.krantz@ntlworld.com)
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