[Imc-uk-features] feature proposal

[frilby at riseup.net]

for manchester, migration and repression pages and

Refugees Blockade Kidnap Centre

The Congo Support Network held a demonstration on 13 March 2007 at Dallas
Court Reporting Centre, Salford Quays, in opposition to the recent and
continuing deportations of Congolese asylum seekers to war-torn DRCongo.
It was attended by over 100 Congolese and Libyan refugees and supporters. 
To begin with everyone assembled in the road opposite the main entrance to
Dallas Court before marching round to the back, where kidnapped asylum
seekers are snuck out in blue vans to detention centres. Soon after, the
crowd assembled at the entrance and the demonstartors held a banner
completely across the doors.


The entrance to Dallas Court was then blockaded by the brave protesters,
before being forced back by the police. The refugees chanted: 'SHUT DOWN
DALLAS COURT!' and 'NO DEPORTATIONS!' throughout, along with many chants
and songs in French.  At around 1:30pm news emerged that Rosetta, a female
Congolese asylum seeker who had had to 'report', had been kidnapped at
Dallas Court while the protest was happening! In solidarity, the
protesters announced that they would extend their protest and stay until
Rosetta was released. They chanted for the next 2 hours and the atmosphere
was electric.  At one point the police attempted to arrest a Congolese
man.  As he was dragged off towards the police van the crowd swarmed
around and dragged him from their grasp.

Full report:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/2007/03/365176.html