Solidarity march and family friendly protest:
Saturday 13 May, 12.30pm, Portland, Dorset
Assemble at the Gateway Pillars, Victoria Square Roundabout, Portland, DT5 1AL, Dorset (end of Portland Beach Road). March to Portland Port.
Stand Up To Racism Dorset is following up the public meeting held in Portland by organising a solidarity march and family friendly protest at Portland Port. The rally will make clear that refugees are welcome in Dorset – but that it’s wrong to put them on a prison barge in Portland Harbour.
Protesters will highlight the profits that Portland Port is to make out of its agreement with the government to house the proposed barge. Reports suggest that Dorset business Langham Industries, which owns Portland Port, will make £2.5 million from its first 18-month contract.
Grafton Straker, joint Chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset, said: “Portland Port didn’t get their way when they tried to make money out of housing an incinerator in Portland. Now they want to profit from the plight of refugees. They should be ashamed, and should start listening to local people.”
The government plans to place thousands of refugees on ships and barges – with the first barge in Portland Harbour due to arrive in June proposed to house over 500 men in just 220 berths.
Portland Councillor Carralyn Parkes said: “Refugees are people fleeing war and crisis. The government has closed routes by which most can reach the UK– now it says those who arrive after long, dangerous journeys are ‘illegal’. Inhumane barges and army camps are no solution.”
The protest will also demand adequate funding for NHS and welfare services that are needed to support Portland communities and all those who come to live in South Dorset. This will be highlighted when the march passes Portland Community Hospital, which local people are campaigning to keep open and for adequate health services for the Island.
Lynne Hubbard, joint Chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset, said: “We welcome refugees, but it’s just not right to imprison them in Portland without the resources that are needed, and when Portland Port will be making huge profits from this situation.
“Please join us on this peaceful demonstration of solidarity with refugees and in protest against the prison barge and those who aim to profit from refugees.”
The barge is expected to be ready for use by mid to late June:
Breaking: A three-storey barge, which will be used to house migrants has arrived in Falmouth for repairs and renovations.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 9, 2023
It is expected to be ready to house 500 people by mid-June. pic.twitter.com/HJeOS2eEYH
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