Things slowed down considerably with this campaign after the second hunger strike was dropped. Focus shifted away from the public campaign and towards securing legal representation. We apologize for the lack of updates on the site as well as on our social media sites. The campaign is not over, as many of the migrants at the NDC still need support!
Sergio, Sandro and Jesus are still being held at the Niagara Detention Centre. We secured representation for Sandro’s immigration case, he was the only one to be denied legal aid, and only have an outstanding bill of $70 left to cover the travel costs of his lawyer. If you would like to help cover that cost you can paypal to our email address nmhssn2011@gmail.com or email us at the address to arrange another form of payment. They all still have representation. Some of them have had issues with legal aid not releasing and recognizing new representation, but they do have representation. There may also be some more legal costs down the road that need funds. We will keep you posted on that.
Unfortunately, this update today comes with some very sad news. Immediately after serving time for criminal charges relating to using false documents at the border Ibrahim Ali Farah was taken from the Niagara Detention Centre and sent back to the United States. Ibrahim had fled the US fearing retaliation as he was witness to a murder to and was forced to testify. Immigration refused to hear his claim. We are trying to find out exactly where Ibrahim has been sent and what support is needed. This marks the second loss as Victor Moses was similarly deported immediately after his criminal charges relating to false documentation was over.
For those who have supported and followed this campaign, we thank you! The group of concerned citizens in Niagara who have organized around this issue are intent on continuing their support for those who are marginalized and criminalized by a racist colonial state. They are moving this campaign over to the intersectionality and anti-oppression based group, The Live Free Collective, in order to sustain and build our capacity to provide support in the Niagara Region. We urge people to like their page and familiarize themselves with their website. We will continue to update our social media sites/websites that exists until this case is over, but in the future updates will come through the LFC.
In Solidarity,
Niagara Migrant Hunger Strikers Support Network 