Portland residents will join trade unions, churches and community groups on a unity demonstration on Saturday 8 July with the slogans: “No to the Prison Barge, Refugees Welcome, Say No to Racism and Division”.
The demonstration will assemble at 11am at Portland Port where the Bibby Stockholm barge – proposed to house over 500 refugees – is expected to arrive any day. Participants will march to Portland Community Hospital and call for full support for health services on the Island, including for refugees. Even though refugees are expected on the barge by the end of the month, provision for their health and welfare remains vague.
Local people are angry that Portland Port Ltd is the only port in the country to agree to house a refugee barge. A demonstration has been called by a group called “No to the Barge” whose Facebook group stirs up fear and hatred of refugees. The neo-Nazi organisation Patriotic Alternative has recently been active in Weymouth.
“We want our demonstration to be an alternative for all those who want to show that refugees should be welcome, and want to unite against racism and division,” says Dorset activist Lynne Hubbard.
Health services for all
“Comments such as ‘stop the invasion’ and ‘use the [Portland] incinerator for the immigrants’ have appeared on social media, encouraging hatred and scapegoating,” says Lynne, Co-Chair of Stand Up To Racism Dorset. “We want to show the humane and welcoming face of Weymouth and Portland.
“We want to stop the run-down of Portland Hospital – so that refugees on the barge and all the people of Portland have effective health services. It’s in the interests of everyone to have a functioning hospital on the Island. Let’s unite instead of listening to refugee-haters and the ugly politics of the extreme Right.”
Many people have come forward in Weymouth and Portland to support refugees who may be housed on the Bibby Stockholm. Dorset Refugee Solidarity is organising legal advice, help with English language, sports activities, and social events. “We have fine local traditions of community action to help those in need,” says Lynne. “Let’s stand together rather than blame the refugees – victims of war and conflict. Racism gets us nowhere – it weakens our communities and everyone suffers.”
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