A protest against the government's plans to send asylum seekers to a facility in Rwanda is set to take place in Bristol city centre this weekend. Activists will gather by the cascade steps opposite the Radisson Blu hotel on the harbourside for an hour from 1pm on Saturday, June 11.
The demonstration is targeting the Home Office's plans to fly asylum seekers 4,500 miles away to Rwanda to be processed. The plans have been criticised by the Labour party as “unworkable, unethical and extortionate”, although the government says that it will help to reduce unauthorised immigration across the Channel and prevent the need to house asylum seekers in hotels.
Under the proposals, an initial £120 million is expected to be given to the Rwandan government under a trial scheme, which is being criticised by the Refugee Council as a “cruel and nasty decision” that will fail to address the issue.
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The Bristol protest has been organised by Bristol Defend the Asylum Seekers Campaign. They have shared a poster on social media which says: "No to the Nationality and Borders Act.
"Equal treatment for all refugees. No to offshoring Rwanda."
It is the latest in a series of demonstrations held by the group against the policy. Its spokesperson Jo Benefield has previously said there is a growing backlash against the government's proposals.
The plans are reportedly the subject of a legal challenge under emergency proceedings launched in the high court on Wednesday, according to The Guardian.
