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From The Socialist newspaper, 6 February 2019
'Stansted 15' deportation protesters could face jail
Defend the right to protest! Defend the right to asylum!
Refugee Rights campaigners marching, photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)
Linda Taaffe, secretary, Waltham Forest Trade Union Council
At the time of going to press, 15 young people will be anxiously facing the judge at Chelmsford Crown Court, waiting to be sentenced. Many fear it will be jail.
In March 2017, the 15 felt so outraged by the injustice being meted out to desperate migrants by the Home Office that they took direct action to stop a Stansted plane bound for Africa from taking off with 60 deportees.
"We took action"
Melanie Strickland, one of those convicted, said: "We knew people on that flight who were in fear of their lives. We took humanitarian action in peacefully stopping that plane to assist them.
"As a result, eleven people were able to secure legal representation and file legal papers to prevent their unlawful deportation. These people include trafficking survivors, parents of dependent children and those who seek asylum here.
"They are human beings and they did not deserve to be treated that way. We did what we could, because we know if we were in their position, we'd want people to act to assist us."
Initially arrested under trespass laws, the charges were then inexplicably changed to charges under the terror-related Aviation and Maritime Act 1990, which carries harsh jail sentences, including life imprisonment.
Socialists say our fight is not only against unjust deportations. It's also about the right to protest that is increasingly under threat.
Despite an avalanche of protest letters from all quarters, and masses of young people demonstrating their support, the Crown Prosecution Service has decided to proceed. Coaches bringing supporters to the court have been organised with the help of the local trade union and labour movement.
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In The Socialist 6 February 2019:
What we think
Workplace news
College lecturers strike for a pay rise
University and College Union elections
PCS: Campaign for Chris Baugh for AGS
Traffic wardens' strike is just the ticket
Unison: Democracy and the right to speak out are under threat
Historic strike of nurses in Ireland
Backing for the Birmingham homecarers
News
Tory Brexit farce, Corbyn and unions: Call mass action now
Cash-starved health service ripped off by big pharma - fund our NHS now!
Struggling unis account for bulk of unconditional offers - end education marketisation!
Billionaires avoid paying and even talking about tax! Take the wealth off the 1%
Iranian revolution
40 years since the Iranian revolution: Learning the lessons for today's new working-class struggles
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Haringey 'Corbyn council' must fight borough regeneration
Victory! Campaign reverses Wallasey fire cuts
Sheffield tree campaigners' legal win
Worcestershire: save the libraries, reverse all the cuts
'Stansted 15' deportation protesters could face jail
North West Socialist Party conference
International socialist news and analysis
United States: LA teachers' strike defeats privatisers
France gilets jaunes' backed by mass strike action
Sweden: dock strikes test new government
United States: strike ends federal shutdown
Opinion
Film: Vice - Dick Cheney - a cold and calculating opportunist
Theatre: Ballad of Johnny Longstaff
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