[London NoBorders] Gay pride marches followed the Stonewall riots of 1969 and were a protest against the social invisibility of the LGBT community. In the London Pride march of 2010 most of the larger floats were paid for by businesses and governmental organisations proudly presenting their LGBT staff. The Home Office float, commandeered by Spectrum – the LGBT support group within the department – were going for a Moulin Rouge theme.

Civil servants in the Home Office, UK Border Agency, Criminal Records Bureau and Identity and Passport Service, were shaking their booty to a blasting sound system. A bit further down the march a procession of a different kind with eight people dressed in black, their mouths taped shut, carrying coffins. Their front banner read 'Stop the deportations' and the coffins were a strong reminder that LGBT's in UK detention centres awaiting their deportation run the very real risk of torture and death once returned to their so-called 'country of origin.'

Wednesday 26 January 7.30pm
@ Offmarket, 111 Lower Clapton Road E9 0NP

January 26th is "Australia Day" - the nation's annual public holiday to commemorate the founding of the white Australian state. Anyone interested in questioning the celebration of the founding and maintenance of a nation through policies of genocide and dispossession, and in hearing about aboriginal resistance to the Australian government's most recent racist laws is invited to this Invasion Day event. We will be screening the newly released documentary "Our Generation" (see below), giving updates from the Rollback the Intervention and Stop Black Deaths in Custody campaigns and facilitating discussion on solidarity and strategy.

For further details contact keenansj@gmail.com

The 9th edition of "Crossing Borders", a newsletter from the No Border network, is out now and can be downloaded here. Includes articles on the World Social Forum and Frontex.

Fundraiser at Ryan's Bar, 181 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UL
Doors: 7.30pm

Featuring:
* MONKEY ISLAND - Other
* CRAIG TEMPLE - Blues / Folk / Punk
* HELEN ROBERTSON

Suggested donation: £4

MEP (Migrant English Project): Abdelkrim Madjoudj (HOref: M702098). Abdelkrim is a 39 years old gentleman, Algerian who is currently detained at Brook House since last 17/12/2010 and has already been given direction removals for New Year’s Eve. Abdel has been living in the UK for 13 years and he is very much loved in the Brighton community.

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 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. At the start of a new year, let’s show them that they have our support and that the struggle for freedom goes on.

At 4pm on New Year’s Eve demonstrate outside Holloway Prison, Parkhurst Road N7 0NU in solidarity with the Yarl’s Wood 3. Please invite your friends and family. All ages are welcome. Bring noise-makers.

The Yarl’s Wood 3 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 contact freedenisenow@gmail.com.

[ Article from the Insitute of Race Relations ]

Jimmy died on 12 October 2010 after an attempt to deport him to Angola on a BA flight. According to news reports Jimmy died after allegedly being restrained by three guards from G4S, a company contracted (at the time) by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) as escorts.

Exactly a month after his death over 200 people, led by Jimmy's family marched from the Angolan Embassy to the Home Office to hand in a letter calling for Jimmy's family to be given indefinite leave to remain and an inquiry in to the use of force in the deportation process. (Read an IRR News story on the demonstration here).