Stand Up to Racism organising Sheffield protest over 'cruel' asylum plans
Groups in Sheffield are planning to march through the streets this weekend in protest at controversial new plans by the Labour government on how to handle asylum seekers.
This latest march comes just two weeks after a ‘mass deportation’ protest organised by UKIP party leader Nick Tenconi was vastly outnumbered by counter protesters proudly proclaiming ‘refugees are welcome here’.
In the intervening weeks, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced huge overhauls to the current systems for managing asylum seekers, which critics have said aim to imitate right wing parties like Reform.
Mahmood called current systems ‘unfair’, and in her new reforms proposes make refugee status temporary - forcing people to return to their native countries once they are deemed safe - and seize the assets of those fleeing from conflict as they enter the country, to pay for housing and support.
New technologies, including trials of AI-driven systems, will also be used to strengthen enforcement and verify the age of people claiming to be children.
Local groups like Sheffield Stand Up to Racism have blasted the plans, calling them ‘cruel’ and say it continues to ‘normalise the politics of the far right’.
As such, they are organising a march through the city on Saturday, November 22.
Marchers will assemble at Devonshire Green in Sheffield at 11.30am for a march around the city centre which will end with a rally in Tudor Square.
Speakers will include representatives of trade unions, political parties, faith communities, refugee and migrant support groups and supporters of Palestine and Sudanese resistance.
The event has been supported by 64 organisations and counting, ranging from trade union organisations to migrant and asylum seeker campaigns, disability campaigners and community organisations.
Co-convenor of Sheffield Stand Up to Racism, Maxine Bowler, said: “The Labour government’s new asylum plan is one of cruelty that echoes the demands and rhetoric of Reform UK. It will only fuel their growth and normalise the politics of the far right.
“This does not represent the proud tradition of Sheffield and South Yorkshire which values our diversity and stands against hate. That's why I urge you to join the South Yorkshire protest this Saturday.
“We call on politicians to stop copying Reform’s racism - refugees are welcome here.
“The number of organisations behind the Unity march keeps on growing, with more being added daily. We take to the streets with resolve to say - loudly and proudly - that racism, hate and intimidation, wherever it shows itself, will never define our proud region.
“This is a community that stands up for each other, celebrates diversity, and protects the most vulnerable.”
Following the march, the Sheffield Lift the Ban Coalition is holding a fundraising concert from 5pm to 10pm at Arts in the Right Place in Haymarket, Sheffield, S1 2AX. This features live music, DJs, arts and crafts and a raffle.
Lift the Ban, which campaigns for people seeking asylum in the UK to have the legal right to work, is one of the organisations supporting Saturday's Unity protest.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.