Since his detention on friday 30th May, this is the second demonstration in his support in the Market Square.

PRESS RELEASE: Nottingham and Notts Refugee Forum and Friends of Amdani Juma

Contact: Rob Peutrell – 07846765761
Leo Keely - 07742884335

“TELL US WHY”: NOTTS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE HOME OFFICE OVER AMDANI JUMA DETENTION

Pressure mounts on Liam Byrne, Minister of State for Immigration at the Home Office, as MP and Council leader speak out at community rally.

On 2nd June 5pm 250 people gathered in Nottingham City Centre in support of Amdani Juma. Nottingham MP Alan Simpson spoke of Amdani’s irreplaceable contribution to AIDS and HIV prevention work in the City and Council leader Jon Collins praised Amdani’s contribution to the local community over the past 5 years. During the 1 hour rally, 450 Nottingham residents signed the petition and over 550 people have signed the online petition in the past 48 hours. Total signatures since Amdani’s detention last Friday is 1,600.

The Nottingham Community is calling for an explanation for the decisions that have led to Amdani’s detention and threatened removal to Burundi on 4th June. Their message to Liam Byrne is: TELL US WHY

TELL US WHY Amdani has been refused on the grounds that allowing him to stay
was not in the “interests of the community” when overwhelming evidence from the community showed it was.

TELL US WHY the impact of Amdani’s detention on refugees socially and mentally is
not being considered. What message does his detention send to other refugees?

Speaking from Lindholme Detention Centre Amdani said,

“I have worked with others to tell them to learn English, find work, look after each other, integrate with your neighbour - drink tea and eat together.

“I have added English to my spoken and written languages, carried out paid and voluntary work, campaigned for integration, involved myself in community groups, sustained my tenancy, always operated within the law…if I am not safe, who is safe?”

Alan Simpson MP said:

“To do this sensitive work you need the networks, you need the cultural awareness and you need the standing. Only Amdani Juma has äll these.”

To date there has been no comment from Liam Byrne or the Home Office.


NOTES for Editors

In his determination of Amdani Juma’s appeal hearing on 28 November 2007, the adjudicator had to determine whether the decision to remove the appellant was proportionate and had to strike “a fair balance between the rights of the individual and the interests of the community” in doing this he made no reference or acknowledgement of any of the overwhelming evidence presented from community members and organizations in court (para 23 to 29 of determination and reasons) and concluded that it was not in the public interest to allow Amdani Juma to stay.

 http://www.petitiononline.com/amdani/petition.html contains many testimonials from the Nottingham community, and has over 550 signatures so far.

Lindholme Detention Centre is in Doncaster Amdani was moved there on 31st May

Alan Simpson is MP for Nottingham South

Other speakers at the rally included Patsy Brand, chair of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum and Mick Mason from the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading and largest HIV and sexual health charity in the UK and Amdani Juma’s employer.  http://www.tht.org.uk/aboutus/

Ends



Demo to support Amdani Juma, Nottingham activist, at risk of deportation - Saturday Demo Pics
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/06/399930.html

Nottingham Protests in Support of Detained Resident [Feature]
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/06/400067.html

Another Nottingham Activist Detained For Deportation [Feature]
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/05/399910.html

Amdani Juma: Petition
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/05/399908.html

Amdani Juma: Letter to Home Office
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/05/399906.html

Andami on Refugee Forum website
 http://www.nottsrefugeeforum.org.uk/first.htm#amdani

Sponsor Amdani Juma, Walking for Leicestershire AIDS Support
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/04/396997.html


____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:  tash@indymedia.org
Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
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