NoBordersGathering2Call

From Noborders Network Wiki

Thursday, January 25, 2007 9:09 AM No Borders UK Gathering in Glasgow: CONFIRMED

Okay all, this is to confirm that the gathering will take place IN GLASGOW ON THE WEEKEND OF 10/11 MARCH 2007.

Venue is confirmed, help is at hand, but any support from anyone would be much appreciated.

Pasted below is resend info from before, on suggested things we need to get talking about beforehand. GET IN TOUCH.

In addition, it would help to know about interpreting requirements beforehand. We have already had volunteer offer from [Voice Forum], we can arrange some more, but need to know what languages people need, and what interpreting you are able to supply. GET IN TOUCH.

If anyone is going to be at the No Borders film festival in Newcastle this weekend, perhaps we can have a meeting about the Glasgow conference? GET IN TOUCH.

So, lets make this happen. Glasgow in the springtime is truly a beauty to behold, so book yer cheap train tickets now (e.g. you could get the sleeper from London on Friday night for £24.50 if you book now. But that's a single, so you might have to stay forever)

Please, let us know soon if you are intending to come, what assistance you may need that we might be able to help with (no guarantees, except a fully-accessible venue and a weekend of debate, information sharing, learning, mutual aid and practical solidarity, with a chance for direct action if required) GET IN TOUCH.

In solidarity,

Glasgow No Borders' (did I say GET IN TOUCH?)

What we need to know now is:

• How many people are definitely coming and how many need accommodation?

• Who wants to do workshops?

• does anyone need childcare? If so, where do we get money to hire a mobile

crèche?

• can people contribute to cover costs for food on the two days?

• And (particularly people in Scotland), who will volunteer to assist with

organisation, publicity, helping at the event?

Please pass this on to relevant groups, networks and individuals, and get back to us at this email address as soon as you can.

In solidarity,

Glasgow No Borders

No Borders UK Gathering Proposal
Leeds, February/March 2007

The No Borders network in the UK is expanding all the time. Its principles of self-organised, grassroots, direct action against the racist asylum and immigration system are attracting a wide coalition of people who are becoming radicalised by the horrific treatment of migrants in Britain. We are stopping deportations, ending detentions, fighting individual campaigns, exposing the prison-like conditions of so-called 'reporting' and 'removal' centres and the companies that profit, organising marches and demonstrations, providing mutual support and solidarity and educating others about what is really happening in this country...

...but it is not enough. We are not winning; we are not even treading water. Deportations and detentions happen every day that none of us will ever know or hear about. Destitution is getting worse. Each time we get a small victory, the government simply steps up another gear. And at every turn we question what we are doing, whether we should be doing something different, how we can improve, where we are heading and how.

Leeds No Borders marked its first anniversary last Wednesday with a look back on all we had achieved in the past 12 months. We've gone from being a largely white group of 'activists' to a genuine rainbow coalition of people from different backgrounds and continents. The discussion was positive but realistic - we are getting hammered and either we stand and fight or we give up. The second option is not up for discussion.

As a group we have drawn strength and inspiration from the work of London No Borders, Glasgow Unity and the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns. We feel there is a strong and powerful solidarity network in the UK but that it is fragmented, lacking in strategic cohesion, failing to communicate and unable to see the bigger picture and how we can and must link our struggles into all others for global justice.

Gathering Proposal

Leeds No Borders is thus proposing a face to face gathering of the No Borders network and its allies in February or March of next year - 2007 - in Leeds. So that we can:

• share our stories, struggles and experiences
• teach each other what we have learned
• discuss what works and what needs to work
• place our struggle in a wider global context
• think strategically and tactically
• improve our communications and collective work
• meet each other and build up friendship and mutual understanding
• plan joint actions and campaigns

We are proposing a major weekend gathering - Friday to Sunday

We are proposing that No Borders groups and other networks and organisations discuss amongst yourselves this idea and feedback to us your thoughts.

If you are supprortive, what weekend dates would be ok / or ones to definitely avoid.

Please email these suggestions to: stuart.hodkinson[at]gmx.net

In solidarity,