Just.Fair,Newcastle "StillHumanStillHere"

Still Human Still Here

Vigil and sleep out in solidarity with the growing numbers of destitute asylum seekers on Newcastle’s streets

8pm Thurs 28 June-10am 29th
Newcastle City Civic centre

Noble 07901990920, Jayne 07985929622

Destistution and Poverty

Paid work is one of the most important and fastest routes out of poverty. Poverty eventually causes destitution. The United Kingdom is rich in resources, yet its prosperity resides cheek by chin with unacceptable levels of poverty, destitution, homelessness and disadvantage.

It is estimated that by 2009 there will be a net growth of over 600,000 jobs in the United Kingdom.  We are campaigning to make sure people living in poverty and destitution benefit from this growth and are able to tap into paid work to alleviate destitution.

Sleep Out

Press/ statement of support from Joy Bowman, member of Tyneside Community Action for Refugees (TCAR)-

“There are a lot of failed asylum seekers who are forced to sleep on the streets, it’s a very distressing situation. If asylum seekers had the opportunity to work they wouldn’t be on benefits and they wouldn’t be forced into destitution. Sometimes, women asylum seekers who are made destitute are approached by men who offer them a place to stay and then force them into prostitution or unwanted sexual activity. Because of that many women are affected by AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. These people have to put up with all kinds of abuse and if these women don’t agree to what the men ask them to do, they are turned out onto the streets. I have spoken to many asylum seekers, men women and children, it’s very appalling to hear and see the situation they are in. The only thing many asylum seekers want is the ability to work, but how can they work without National Insurance numbers? If they do work they have to work illegally and can be sentenced to prison. There is a lot of bad press about asylum seekers working illegally, getting involved in drugs, stealing and prostitution, but this is not because these destitute asylum seekers want to do these things, they have to do them to stay alive because they are destitute. I’m asking the Home Office and the Government to look at this situation, see the problems these people have, give asylum seekers the right to work and try to help people in this situation. If they did this, their work would be more successful.”

Sleep Out

Many asylum seekers who are refused status are unable to return home, so they are forced to survive without any government support at all. No money for food, no money for shelter, no money for the everyday things we take for granted. Tonight, asylum seekers will be sleeping rough or on the floor at friends' houses. They will be relying on food handouts or eating in soup kitchens set up by churches or charities.we are sleeping outside  in solidarity with them for one while they will continue sleep rough indefinately.

NEWCASTLE PEOPLE WORKING COMMITTEE ON ZIMBABWE

Paid work is one of the most important and fastest routes out of poverty. Poverty eventually causes destitution. The United Kingdom is rich in resources, yet its prosperity resides cheek by chin with unacceptable levels of poverty, destitution, homelessness and disadvantage.

It is estimated that by 2009 there will be a net growth of over 600,000 jobs in the United Kingdom.  We are campaigning to make sure people living in poverty and destitution benefit from this growth and are able to tap into paid work to alleviate destitution.

Sibanda Noble:Chairman of Newcastle People`s working committe on Zimbabwe:

Sleep Out

this kind of thing is very bad,because my friend lost her (NASS) National Asylum Service support and wanted to stay with me,l only let her stay one night and it was very painful to tell her to go because l was told if NASS that supported me found me sharring or giving temporary shelter to someone other than myself and my two kids ,they will end my support and kick me out as well.

it felt so horrible.

sleep out

We demand the right to decent legal work for all! No to destitution!

Asylum seekers are not allowed to work in Britain. Instead they have to survive on benefits of less than £40 per week, well below the official poverty line. Asylum seekers are being deliberately divided from British workers. They are being forced to live on handouts and denied the chance to contribute their skills to society.

‘We know that many people think that we just came to Britain for benefits. This is not true: we are refugees. It is not safe for us in our own countries. The government won’t let us work so many of us are forced to work illegally just to stay alive. We demand the right to legal work.’

Over 78% of asylum seekers are refused asylum even when they come from highly dangerous countries like Iraq, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many asylum seekers would much rather be in their own country, but have been forced to flee because of British interference.The Labour Government’s top priority is the profits British companies can exploit from other countries. They don’t care about the people being exploited to make that money, whether in Africa or here in Newcastle.

When asylum seekers inevitably ‘fail’ then they have all benefits and accommodation removed (unless they have children). This happens even if the country they come from is so dangerous that no planes can fly there at the moment, like Somalia. Failed asylum seekers have to choose between homelessness and extreme poverty or poorly paid illegal work. It is estimated that there are more than 300 homeless refugees in Newcastle.
The government always needs someone to blame. DON’T BELIEVE THEIR LIES!

TCAR, Tyneside Community Action for Refugees

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hi, I am one of those who sleep in the street every day since April this year. I am a Zimbabwean sicking protection from the Mugabe regime. I defected from the ruling party in 1999 to join the newly formed opposition party MDC As from that time i was targeted by the state agents threatening my life and that of my family I fled to this country in 2000 hoping to get protection which was not to be.When i had left the country my family were subjected to harassment and torture which included rape on female members of my family i am afraid with the elections coming in Zimbabwe they will be forced into hiding and end up in the street as i am here.

I am grateful that there are people in this country who have the heart,love and sympathy to the extent of sleeping out just for our cause may God bless them all

Sleep Out

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