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Sheffield destitution demonstration
Church Action on Poverty in Sheffield is holding a major demonstration in Sheffield on Saturday 24 June 2006 to call for an end to asylum destitution. Music, drama and speeches.
For a report on this demonstration, look here.
This demonstration calls on the Government to change the laws which make some asylum seekers destitute.
We call on the Government ‘to
allow people seeking asylum to sustain themselves and contribute to
wider society through paid work and, where this is not possible, to
reinstate refused asylum seekers entitlement to benefits until such
time as they may be removed.’
This country is not swamped
with asylum seekers. Parts of the media have grossly exaggerated the
problem. In fact, in 2005, the UK’s 30,000 asylum applications were
equivalent to 0.05% of the population and the UK came 18th in the world
in terms of asylum applications per head of population (Source: UNHCR
Statistics).
This demonstration supports CAP's Living Ghosts Campaign, launched in 2005 with a statement by the Archbishop of York
and some 50 other bishops and church leaders declaring that ‘it is
inhumane and unacceptable that some people seeking asylum are left
homeless and destitute by government policies.’
We aim to show
by this demonstration that many people in Sheffield believe in
welcoming people fleeing oppression in other countries and wish to see
a change to current legislation which causes destitution.
If you would like to support this campaign, please:
• Sign a card to the Home Secretary supporting this campaign;
• Write to your MP calling for a change in the law.
Church Action on Poverty in Sheffield, 0114 255 2226
