Protesters call for release of women in detention centre

CAMPAIGNERS gathered outside a North East immigration detention centre calling for the release of those inside.

- DAVID HUNTLEY

Protesters made their voices heard outside the detention centre

The demonstration was led by campaigners who have previous experience of the UK’s immigration and detention system.

The demonstration took place on Saturday outside the Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in County Durham, the UK’s only immigration detention centre exclusively for women.

Organised by the ‘No to Hassockfield’ campaign, ‘These Walls Must Fall’ and ‘Right to Remain,’ the event brought together more than 100 people from cities including Newcastle, Durham, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield.

As part of a national day of action to end immigration detention, the day was intended to highlight the solidarity with people subject to the immigration system in the UK.

The crowd heard speeches highlighting the experiences faced by women in Derwentside, many of whom are survivors of gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation.