Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

FREE THE YARL’S WOOD 3
 
In February 2010 prisoners at Yarl's Wood immigration prison organised a hunger strike.  They demanded an end to indefinite and abusive imprisonment.  Their courageous protest lasted five weeks, despite violent attacks by guards at the detention centre.
 
As retribution several people involved in the hunger strike were moved to prisons.  Three of those targetted in this way are still behind bars: Denise McNeil, Sheree Wilson and Aminata Camara.  They have been away from their families, friends and communities for far too long.
 
Their struggle was “for everyone in detention”.   We need to support those who take action on the inside.  When they use prison to try to silence resistance we will fight back.

Denise McNeil has a bail hearing this Tuesday 4th January from 10am at Richmond Magistrates Court, Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RF.  The nearest train station is Richmond, which is the final station on the District and Overground lines.  We really want to show alot of support for her inside and outside the court.

Aminata and Sheree will also have bail hearings in the coming month.   Your support is very welcome.  If you would like to come to the court to show support for them, or to get involved with the campaign to free them contact freedenisenow@gmail.com on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566) or see the Twitter feed: @freedenisenow

Please forward widely

Thanks for this information. I had read (in the guardian I think) that Denise had already been deported to JA - I gather the article was not accurate?
Free the 3, close all detention centres, justice for Jimmy Mubenga and HOT FIRE BURN for the U.K.B.A. gestapo!

Denise thanks everyone for their support. 

She was threatened with deportation but it was cancelled close to departure.  Denise, Sheree and Aminata are still in prison almost a year after the hunger strike at Yarl's Wood. 

The campaign to free the Yarl's Wood 3 is building in 2011, to get involved contact freedenisenow@gmail.com. 

On New Year's Eve around 100 people gathered outside Holloway prison to participate in a noisy demonstration in solidarity with Denise, Sheree and Aminata, and with all those in detention as we began the new year.  The demonstration could be heard inside the prison.

If you have Facebook visit the page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566)

Please 'like' it and encourage your friends!

There is also a Twitter feed: @freedenisenow

Thanks for the info. We did a small demonstration here (Swansea) to raise awareness during the hunger strike. As soon as I get the chance I'll pass the email and facebook details to the asylum seekers' support group email list we have here. Would something like a benefit show be useful - are funds needed for the defence campaign? We have a joint benefit for Ian Tomlinon's (killed by police) family and Jimmy Mubenga's (killed by UKBA) family planned for March 3rd (was supposed to happen last December but had to be postponed); although I have limited time and resources I could try to do another one for the Yarl's Wood 3 but it would have to be after March 3rd probably - might be a good idea to try to get in touch with musicians etc. in London who might be able to do a higher-profile thing like that to raise awareness? I'm thinking of people like the Ras Ites band, rappers like Klashnekoff, Ms. Dynamite, Skinnyman... I'm sure those folks would be up for something like that, time permitting? Both Klashnekoff and Ms. Dynamite are performing up here at the end of this month, I could try to speak to them about it.
Would also be good to distribute leaflets etc. at the next student march protesting the cutting of the EMA benefit for poorer students, which is Wed. Jan 19th, meeting 4 pm Piccadilly Circus, marching to Parliament (or into a police kettle) at 5 PM.
Here's a clip from the little demo we did for the hunger strikers last year:
Yarls Wood Demo Swansea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkYvPsZ0IG0#normal)

Please Forward Widely


Denise McNeil has a bail hearing this Tuesday 25th January from 10am at Richmond Magistrates Court, Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RF:


The nearest train station is Richmond, which is the final station on the District and Overground lines. 


We really want to show alot of support for her inside and outside the court. 


There's a Facebook page for the bail hearing here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104376259637313&num_event_invites=0# (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104376259637313&num_event_invites=0#)!/event.php?eid=104376259637313



Please 'like' this and send it to your friends and contacts.

It's almost a year since the Yarl's Wood hunger strike began.  Sheree and Aminata will also have bail hearings in the coming month. Your support is very welcome. If you would like to come to the court to show support for them or to get involved in the campaign contact freedenisenow@gmail.com.

Free the Yarl's Wood 3!

Support Denise at her bail hearing!

9.45am, Tuesday 25th January, IAC Hatton Cross NOT Richmond as previously stated.


PLEASE NOTE NEW VENUE: IAC Hatton Cross NOT Richmond Magistrates Court. Please forward this message to people who received the first call out so they don't end up in the wrong place!


IAC Hatton Cross, York House, 2/3 Dukes Green Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 0LS. (20 mins walk from Hatton Cross tube on Piccadilly line, or buses 285 or 90 to Faggs Road bus stop). Travel directions here: http://www.tribunals.gov.uk/ImmigrationAsylum/Documents/HearingCentres/YorkHouse.pdf (http://www.tribunals.gov.uk/ImmigrationAsylum/Documents/HearingCentres/YorkHouse.pdf)


Denise McNeil, imprisoned in Holloway for nearly a year since taking part in the hunger strike at Yarl's Wood, has a bail hearing this Tuesday 25th January at 10am. We aim to meet inside the building outside the court room at 9.45am. Although she will be taking part in the hearing by video link, we want to be there in person to demonstrate to the judge the level of support for her release.


Let's show that Denise has lots of support.  Out of respect for her we will sit quietly in the public gallery during the hearing and not do anything that disrupts her chance of being granted bail.

It's almost a year since the Yarl's Wood hunger strike began. Sheree and Aminata will also have bail hearings in the coming month. Your support is very welcome. If you would like to come to the court to show support for them or to get involved in the campaign contact freedenisenow@gmail.com.

Free the Yarl's Wood 3!


Please also come to the campaign planning meeting this Friday, where we sincerely hope Denise can join us:


Free the Yarl's Wood 3!
Campaign planning meeting, 6pm-7.30pm, Fri 28 January
Fin Future, 225-229 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2DA  (2 minutes from Finsbury Park tube station - come out main entrance, go past Arsenal shop, turn right down Seven Sisters Rd, go under railway bridge and Fin Future is on your right with big windows and yellow/green window frames or come out Seven Sisters Rd exit, and it's just on your right)

In February 2010, women at Yarl's Wood immigration prison went on hunger strike to demand an end to indefinite and abusive imprisonment. The women experienced violent attacks and abusive treatment in an attempt to end their protest. Six women were accused of being ring-leaders and moved into isolation and prisons. Nearly a year later, three women remain in prison without charge: Aminata Camara, Denise McNeil and Sheree Wilson.

Come along to this meeting to plan how to take the campaign for their release forward. Hear messages from the women and plan how to respond to their requests for solidarity.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you need childcare for the meeting, and we'll arrange a creche.

More information on Free Denise McNeil: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/DeniseMcNeil.html (http://www.ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/DeniseMcNeil.html)
Read the recent article in the Observer: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/16/denise-mcneil-yarls-wood (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/16/denise-mcneil-yarls-wood)
Stay in touch with the campaign: freedenisenow@gmail.com
Join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Denise-Now/174533002581566)

Denise is free on bail but Sheree's bail was denied. Sheree and Aminata are still in prison and still need support.

~~~~ Hunger Strikers Are Freedom Fighters ~~~~
This is an update with news and events connected with the Yarl's Wood hunger strike.  After Denise McNeil was released from prison, Aminata Camara and Sheree Wilson remain behind bars.  The struggle to free them continues. 

In March there are several events connected with International Women's Week.  There is also an exciting workshop planned with Denise McNeil and Robert King. 

Finally, there is an opportunity to buy a 'Hunger Strikers Are Freedom Fighters' t-shirt with a design by Denise's son, Tre-Anri.

If you don't want to receive these irregular updates in the future please email freedenisenow@gmail.com with the subject 'Unsubscribe'. 

1. News

2. Women's Day Demonstration at Yarl's Wood

3. Million Women Rise March

4.  Girls Behind Bars

5. Resistance Behind Bars: Racism, Imprisonment and Solitary Confinement in the US & UK

A Workshop with Robert King and Denise McNeil


6.  Mothers' March

7.  'Hunger Strikers Are Freedom Fighters' T-shirts


1. News

Denise McNeil was finally released from prison in January.  Since then, she has been trying to return to her life with her children but the immigration authorities and social services have made this extremely difficult by moving her away from her borough where her family, friends and her child's school is.  In February, some of her supporters went with her to demand action on her housing situation.  Denise says 'It's been very difficult.  I'm struggling and I appreciate the continued support'.

Both Aminata Camara and Sheree Wilson are still in prison, more than a year after the hunger strike.  They welcome letters of support at:
Aminata Camara
TG8688
HMP Bronzefield
Woodthorpe Road
Ashford
Middlesex
TW15 3JZ

Sheree Wilson
A0353AQ
HMP Holloway
London
Sheree also thanks people for their continued support and says 'it makes you feel less alone to know there are people supporting you'

2. Women's Day Demonstration at Yarl's Wood
On International Women's Day show solidarity with the migrant women imprisoned at Yarl's Wood.

Saturday, 5th March 2011 from 1pm

At Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, Twinwoods Road, Clapham, Bedfordshire, MK41 6HL

Directions are here. Please organise your own transport.

The coalition government has skilfully employed the "end" to child detention to avoid talking about the brutal and inhumane detention regime of detention in general. Yet, over the years, countless reports and accounts have documented the plight of women locked up at Yarl's Wood: indefinite detention without charge or judicial oversight, overcrowded cells, mistreatment and abuse by private security guards, lack of privacy, restrictions on visits and phone calls, inadequate medical provision and the lack of facilities to address healthcare issues. And it's getting worse.

In her 2009 inspection report on Yarl's Wood, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers reported that “the focus on improving the environment and activities for children appeared to have led to a lack of attention to the needs of the majority population of women. Provision of activities for them was among the poorest seen in any removal centre. It had been inadequate at the last inspection, and had declined even further. The absence of activity added to the depression and anxiety of women, many of whom were spending lengthy periods at Yarl’s Wood. The average length of stay had increased by 50% since the last inspection, and one in ten women had been detained for more than six months.”

End the detention of migrant women!
Close Yarl's Wood now!

For more information visit: http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/467 (http://london.noborders.org.uk/node/467)


3. Million Women Rise March

Saturday 5 March 2011, 12pm

Meet at Hyde Park (Speakers Corner End Nearest Tube: 1 Minute from Marble Arch)

A woman’s right to live free from violence and / or the fear of violence has not been achieved. Women continue to be attacked and violated in many different ways, in our homes, on our streets, on our public transport, at our places of work. The government, the TV and newspapers do very little to address this issue; instead they often blame women for wearing the wrong clothes or being in the wrong place.

If you think this needs to change, then join us on a public demonstration to show those in power that it’s just not good enough! We need to show our mass dissatisfaction; we need to be strong together and in large numbers. Unity is strength; the voices of many are louder together than a single voice.

Together and united we are ending male violence against women and children.

If you want to see change for yourself, your children, your families, your communities then come out and say no to violence against women!


For more information visit: http://www.millionwomenrise.com/index.html (http://www.millionwomenrise.com/index.html)




4. Girls Behind Bars

From March 8th at Together Our Space Gallery, 12 Old Street.

An exhibition of artwork created and curated by current and former women prisoners. 


For more information visit: http://www.list.co.uk/event/20149598-girls-behind-bars/ (http://www.list.co.uk/event/20149598-girls-behind-bars/)





5. Resistance Behind Bars: Racism, Imprisonment and Solitary Confinement in the US & UK

A Workshop with Robert King and Denise McNeil

 

2-4pm Wednesday 9 March 2011

5th Floor, Room 509, Malet Street Building

Birkbeck College, London

 

Prisons have long been used as institutions to control and repress political dissent. Yet the voices of those who organise behind bars to challenge the injustices and abuses of imprisonment are rarely heard. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to hear from two recently released prisoners – Robert King and Denise McNeil – who will share their experience and analysis of organised resistance behind bars. Specifically exploring questions of contemporary racism and political repression in prison, the workshop will consider how tactics of isolation, such as solitary confinement, communication restrictions and other forms of punishment are used to target and repress resistance both inside and outside prison walls. 

 

Robert King is one of the Angola 3. In 1970, a jury convicted King of a crime he did not commit and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. He became a member of the Black Panther Party while in Angola State Penitentiary, successfully organizing prisoners to improve conditions. In return, prison authorities beat him, starved him, and gave him life without parole after framing him for a second crime. He was thrown into solitary confinement, where he remained in a six by nine foot cell for 29 years as one of the Angola 3. In 2001, the state grudgingly acknowledged his innocence and set him free. http://www.angola3.org/ (http://www.angola3.org/)

 

Denise McNeil is one of the Yarl’s Wood 3, who participated in a five-week hunger strike in February 2010 by prisoners at Yarl's Wood Immigration detention centre, in protest of indefinite and abusive imprisonment.  Accused of being one of the key organisers, she was then held in Holloway Prison for almost a year, until her release on bail in January. http://www.ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/DeniseMcNeil.html (http://www.ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/DeniseMcNeil.html)

 

This workshop is being organised as part of Robert King’s UK speaking tour and public screenings of “In The Land of the Free...” a new documentary feature that examines the story of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King. They are known as the Angola 3 and have spent almost a century between them in solitary confinement in Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Herman and Albert are still held in solitary confinement after thirty-seven years. The film will be screened at 6pm on Tuesday 8 March 2011 in the Birkbeck Cinema (space is limited so arrive early if you want a place). http://www.inthelandofthefreefilm.com/ (http://www.inthelandofthefreefilm.com/)

 

Sponsored by the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research (BISR); Birkbeck School of Law; Centre for Media, Culture and Creative Practice, and the Institute for Criminal Policy Research (ICPR).

 

The workshop is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible.

Workshop spaces are limited. To reserve a place please email: s.lamble@bbk.ac.uk




6.  Mothers' March


Sat 12 March 2011 



Assemble 12 noon: Trafalgar Square (north side)
Speak-out 2pm: Room G2, SOAS, London 
School of Oriental & African Studies, Thornhaugh St, WC1H OXG

Invest in caring not killing.  For everyone’s survival and welfare

 End Cuts, Poverty & Discrimination

For more information visit: www.globalwomenstrike.net (http://www.globalwomenstrike.net) 

7.  'Hunger Strikers Are Freedom Fighters' T-shirts

We are printing t-shirts designed by Denise McNeil's son Tre-Anri.  If you are interested in buying one of these and showing your support for the Yarl's Wood hunger strikers please contact freedenisenow@gmail.com

Denise, Sheree and Aminata are still in prison almost a year after the hunger strike at Yarl's Wood.  。。。