Today is my third strike day on a rotational four day cycle that matches the hunger strike campaign taken up by Sergio Puerto, Sandro Philippe, Jesus Galban and Ibrahim Ali Farah at the Niagara Detention Centre. That means every fourth day I do a solidarity 24 hour hunger strike to mirror theirs (Sergio’s specifically).
I’ve been involved with their support since December 3rd and this month has basically been an on going crash course in Immigration Law. I’ve been to the Detention Centre close to ten times this month and met with everyone involved in the strike – even Victor Moses who was taken by Immigration prior to this latest rotational (Dec 11th.) The constant fear of deportation or detention (for no criminal charge), the lack of access to legal consultation and the ways in which the system is stacked against migrants at every single level is unbearable. Each have their share of injustice – Sergio was teaching Spanish classes at a local community centre before being picked up (he has promised to teach me Spanish when he gets out), Jesus fell 8 feet to the ground off a bunk during their first strike and has been denied medical attention ever since, Sandro was brought in on June 26, 2011 and with no outside contacts we have had to scramble to try and get winter clothing in to him for court dates (the NDC has twice refused to accept a sweater for him.) No one deserves to be treated this way.
Today I got a christmas card from Sergio and from Sandro. I am constantly blown away by their ability to stay calm and focused throughout a process that is so clearly oppressive and unjust. Those cards are just another reminder to me of my privilege and my responsibility.
For anyone wishing to join the support group you can email nmhssn2011@gmail.com. We are also looking for people (anyone) to sign our support petition and for people to join our call-in/email campaign to the office of Richard Comerford – Regional Director of Immigration – Richard.Comerford@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca / 905-994-6000, as well as the Niagara Detention Centre 905-227-6321.
For people who are local, tomorrow (Tuesday December 20th) there will be a demonstration out front of the Niagara Detention Centre from 1-2PM.
We also have a fundraiser planned for Wendesday December 28th at Rise Above (120 St. Paul St. – St. Catharines, On)
Last, but not least, we now have a paypal set up for those who wish to donate to the support fund.
***-Dylan Powell on his solidarity with the Detainees***
Niagara Migrant Hunger Strikers Support Network 