For two hours on Saturday 24 June, there was a big demonstration in the heart of Sheffield city centre in support of destitute asylum seekers. It was organised by CAP’s Sheffield Branch. Several hundred people joined in the demonstration at various times and stewards handed out 1300 leaflets to passing shoppers. Many signed cards to the Home Secretary.

The event was opened by Jack Nicholls, the Bishop of Sheffield, one of the signatories of the letter of 3 December from church leaders’ to the Times, which launched the Living Ghosts Campaign. Bishop Jack said that a recent survey found that Sheffield was the most welcoming city in England. People in Sheffield wanted to welcome people fleeing persecution but national laws got in the way and were causing destitution. The closing speaker was John Rawsthorne, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hallam, who said that Britain was a great and compassionate country which sometimes did terrible things. It was vital to change the laws which made some asylum seekers destitute.

Abdul Gooljar Kadir, South Yorkshire President of the Islamic Society of Great Britain, called for justice for those fleeing oppression.

Other speakers included prominent Councillors from three political parties. Councillor Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Sheffield City Council, said that everyone was entitled to dignity and human rights. It was wrong to deny this to asylum seekers. Councillor Jillian Creasy of the Green Party said that refugees were made by circumstances in their own country. There were great dangers in stereotyping them.

Councillor Pat Midgley also spoke for the Labour Party. She said that Sheffield was a welcoming city and had recently welcomed its third ‘gateway’ group of refugees from Burma. The Council was keen to listen and discuss issues affecting the city, but was constrained by national laws.

The Leader of the Conservative group in the Council sent a message, hoping that the event would be a success.

Several asylum seekers spoke. One told of an Eritrean asylum seeker who was present. He was seriously ill and needed a major operation which would coast thousands of pounds. But the rules denied him free hospital treatment. He had no money so he could not have the operation.

Throughout the two hours, there was a full programme of speeches, music and mime. The mime was by local sixth form students wearing masks and showing asylum seekers being refused work and shelter, accompanied by drum bands. The Zeela Liberian Singers sang songs from their country. There was also singing of songs from around the world led by Philip Jakob, Master of Music at St Marie’s Catholic Cathedral.