Further update on SOAS occupation

I attended a meeting tonight regarding the United Campaign Against Police Violence, as it was near SOAS I was able to discuss the situation of the occupation with a couple of people who are active within the campaign. The more what comes out about this the more vile and disturbing it is.

Out of the 9 cleaners, 6 have been ‘removed’ (‘deported’ to you and I) but nobody seems to know where the other 3 people are being kept. So they have ‘disappeared’ into the ether or that racist shit-hole Serco run Yarls Wood.

One of the cleaners ‘removed’ is six mths pregnant, another cleaner has a heart problem and was denied access to water. Basic human rights and civil liberties were denied to these people.

Those close to the situation have explained that cleaners were summoned at 6.30am on Friday to attend what they were told was an ‘emergency staff meeting’ – instead they found themselves in a closed space where over 40 immigration officers in full riot gear were waiting to arrest them. At the
detention centre, they were denied access to legal or union representation
and no interpreter was provided, so that many of them, as native Spanish
speakers, were unable to communicate. It is believed that immigration
officers were called in by ISS, the cleaning contractor, even though it has
employed many of these staff for years.

The distress and fear these people experienced is unimaginable. The private cleaning contractor ISS has known about the immigration status of these workers yet was happy to exploit them but when they start to campaign and fight for better pay and conditions…. immigration is contacted. The message is simple: keep your mouth shut or else.

We cannot let SOAS management and ISS get away with this…

It seems that negotiations with SOAS director have resumed, the threat of eviction has been lifted. But for how long?

Please see the blogsite about what you can do to show your solidarity with these workers.

Support the occupation and their demands.

I will write a report about the UCAPV meeting tomorrow and the plans for the 10th July protest outside the IPCC…

Btw: the pic isn’t great quality as taken on my mobile phone.

Mark Serwotka in Palestine

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS trade union, is currently visiting Palestine as part of a delegation hosted by the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions.

He is posting his observations about the visit here. From what I have read so far it is a poignant political read. It brings the suffering, oppression and brutalization of occupation and colonialism home to you.

Please read.

Alastair Campbell: not in my name!

Unbelievable…. ….

Alastair Campbell is at it again, speaking about the treatment people with mental health problems receive. And it’s about MPs automatically losing their seats if they are sectioned under the MH Act.

Yes, that’s appalling and wrong…..

But, remember, this is Alastair championing the rights of people with mental distress, fighting the stigma and vilification….. this smacks of gesture politics all hollow and shallow. Scratching at the surface not going too deep….

If Alastair wants to champion something, highlight the changes to the MH Act. If he is so concerned about vilification, and stigmatisation then show his disgust at the over-zealous use of Community Treatment orders aka psychiatric ASBOs.  The attacks on civil liberties and human rights.

Why not condemn wholeheartedly the Welfare Reform Bill and how that, plus previous legislation, further impacts on mental distress by causing further misery and desperation….

But this kinda means championing something real and concrete for ordinary working class people.

And how can you take anything serious from a man who was part of the establishment that supported an unjust, illegal and barbaric war. I wonder if he will be giving secret evidence at the squalid establishment stitch-up known as the Chilcot inquiry?

Indeed when it comes to spineless cowardly warmongering MPs who quote ‘loyalty’ as the reason for following the lie that led to a brutal stinking war should bloody well lose their seats!!!!!

Again, when it comes to mental health, not in my my name Alastair Campbell!

Update on SOAS occupation

Received this email just now regarding the occupation

Hi comrades

Trade Unionists, students and activists occupied offices in the SOAS building yesterday in protest at the arrest of 9 cleaners by immigration police. 6 have already been removed from the country.

I have just heard that a high court injunction has been brought out against the occupiers and they have less than two hours to comply. They have asked for as many people to get down there ASAP to lend support. Please get down there and help if you can!! Please spread the word

In solidarity
Andy Hewett