WEYMOUTH WELCOMES REFUGEES
About 200 protesters gathered at Portland to demand the scrapping of the notorious barge destined as accommodation for asylum seekers. The rally, organised by Unite and Stand Up To Racism Dorset, was supported by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole branch of SUTR, trade unionists from Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, Avon and Devon and Dorset Equality Group. As well as numerous flags from Unite, Unison and the Nationa Education Union flags were also in evidence and health workers showed up in solidarit
too. A message of support was relayed from the Fire Brigades Union whose insistence that the
barge was not fit for human habitation has kept the Bibi Stockholm empty so far.
Many motorists honked their support. Several people gave impassioned speeches deploring our hostile environment towards migrants and the inhumane way we treat those fleeing from violence, oppression and
destitution Then the marchers made their way up to Fortuneswell and back again and many were
surprised at how many Portland residents showed support. One man swore at us and two vociferous women screamed at us. That was ironic really as we were demanding that the barge be removed which is exactly what they want too – albeit
for different reasons. The chants “No Hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here”, “Rishi Sunak hear us say scrap the prison barge today!” and “Langham, Langham shame, shame – your profits are to blame” echoed round the small town. (Langham is the company which owns the port ol
Portland.) A rival group comprising 10 union jack-waving demonstrators had arrived at the starting point before us. They complained of feeling like second-class citizens in their own country However they didn’t last the course. When the main demo returned from their hike they
all gone.