Peter Lazenby
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ANTI-RACISTS were set to mobilise in London later today in an emergency protest against the Tories’ racist Illegal Immigration Bill as the highly criticised legislation reached its next stage in the Commons.
The Bill, which condemns refugees to automatic deportation if they enter Britain by illegal means — even though there are no legal routes for most — is currently bouncing between the Commons and the Lords, where it has repeatedly met cross-party opposition.
The protest, which took place after the Star went to print, was organised by Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and supported by Care4Calais, Civil Service workers’ union PCS and other campaign groups.
A SUTR statement said: “If passed into law, the Bill will be in breach of international human rights legislation that recognises the international right to seek asylum.
“While there are no safe or legal routes to reach Britain to claim asylum for the vast majority, the Bill will criminalise those who seek asylum by the only means available.”
The government is also mounting a further attack on refugees and immigrants by hiking the cost of visa applications and fees charged for migrants to be treated by the NHS to fund public sector pay rises.
“Rishi Sunak is playing with fire as he announces that any pay rises awarded will be funded by an increase in migrant charges for NHS care,” said SUTR.
“Migrant charges in the NHS is a racist policy designed to whip up scapegoating, divert blame for the economic crisis and divide our communities.
“This kind of trick, aimed at pitching workers’ rights, pay, and conditions against the human rights of refugees and migrants, is also fuelling the far right and fascist forces who are looking to build a racist movement in Britain.
“As anti-racists we must continue to vehemently oppose these measures."
The government is also buying a huge barge, Bibby Stockholm, which it plans to use to house 500 refugees at a mooring at Portland Port in Dorset, sparking protests.
Plans to house migrants on the barge are a month behind schedule but the vessel finally left Falmouth, Cornwall, today, where work on it was being carried out to prepare it for its new role.
Downing Street defended the use of barges to house migrants, insisting it is a cheaper alternative to housing them in hotels.
