Hundreds gathered at the weekend for the biggest demonstration yet outside the Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), the UK’s only detention centre exclusively for women, to call for an end to immigration detention.
This event marked the 40th consecutive month of protests outside Derwentside IRC and the fourth national demonstration, against the backdrop of the government’s announcement to expand the UK’s immigration detention estate: there is a plan to reopen Campsfield detention centre and Haslar detention centre which were closed down some years ago, as a result of fierce local and national opposition to the inhumanity of immigration detention.
The demonstration aimed to shed light on the injustices faced by women detained in the centre, many of whom are survivors of gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation. It also highlighted the injustice experienced by thousands of other people in the UK who are deprived of their liberty because they do not have a right passport.
Speeches
There were moving speeches from individuals with lived experience of detention, sharing their firsthand accounts of the cruelty and trauma that detention inflicts. These stories highlighted the urgent need for systemic change and an end to detention.
Many campaigners wore orange — the colour of solidarity with people seeking sanctuary and freedom. This represented a wave of warmth, love, and hope, to sipport those detained within Derwentside and all other immigration detention centres across the UK.
Hassockfield and Derwentside
The No to Hassockfield Campaign was established in 2021 with a clear and urgent mission: to shut down the Women’s Immigration Removal Centre in County Durham. Initially named Hassockfield at its announcement, the centre was renamed Derwentside IRC by former Home Secretary Priti Patel on the day it opened. Despite this name change, the group continues to identify as No to Hassockfield, as Derwentside is an area of outstanding natural beauty that starkly contrasts with the grim reality of detaining vulnerable women.
These Walls Must Fall
Maggy Moyo from These Walls Must Fall says:
“These Walls Must Fall campaigners know firsthand the harsh reality of seeking the right to remain in the UK, including the devastating impact of immigration detention. Among other things it crushes mental health and it often feels worse than prison.
With the government planning to reopen detention centres, our fight to abolish this system is more urgent than ever.
Mavis, one of our members who experienced detention, is fiercely passionate about this cause because she doesn’t want anyone else to endure the trauma she went through.
This is why we say: these walls must fall, and we urge everyone to join us in making detention history.”
No to Hassockfield
Dr Helen Groom from the No to Hassockfield campaign says:
“Since before Derwentside was opened we have stood at the gates calling for it be closed. Derwentside is cruel, isolating and unnecessary. The women imprisoned inside are deeply harmed by being separated from their families, supporters and communities, with no knowledge of when they will be released. At this demonstration we will stand along side those with lived experience of detention and hear from them how devastating immigration detention is. We will also have music and singing, to celebrate the humanity of us all.
We call on this government to shut down Derwentside IRC. It’s cruel, isolating and unnecessary.“
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
