- The protest near Gatwick Airport was in opposition to government plans to start sending migrants to the east African country from next week
- A High Court ruling means the first flight to Rwanda could proceed on Tuesday. Campaigners are expected to challenge this in the Court of Appeal on Monday
- Protesters chanted “no Rwanda” as they rallied outside an immigration removal centre in opposition to government plans to start sending migrants to the east African country from next week.
Demonstrators shook the outer fence of an immigration removal centre on Sunday in protest against the government’s Rwanda policy – and people inside the facility appeared to be shouting back.
Scores of activists marched to the Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, close to Gatwick Airport, near Crawley, West Sussex.
Dozens of activists shouted “we are with you,” “set them free” and “deportations no more … Britain is a racist state.”#
Some activists banged the outer fence of the immigration centre and people inside the compound sounded like they were chanting back.
In unison with protesters, people inside appeared to chant: “No Rwanda.”
The plans would see some people who have entered the UK illegally flown to Rwanda to seek asylum there.
A High Court ruling means the first flight to the east African country could proceed on Tuesday but campaigners are due to challenge this in the Court of Appeal on Monday.
UK judge rejects bid to stop asylum seekers from being sent to Rwanda
At the protest, teacher Jane Fisher, of Croydon, south London, who volunteers with Care for Calais, which delivers emergency aid to refugees, said: “There is a young boy called Sami and he was from Afghanistan, his parents and his sister were blown up in a car bomb and he is 17 and he has come across.
“He is really frightened he is going to be sent to Rwanda.