I WAS FREED FROM THE BARRACKS, HEAR MY MESSAGE:
I thought that the UK would be a safe place for me. That was before I was taken to the barracks.
Please don’t let the people left inside the camps feel like they’ve been left behind.
THREAD #CloseTheBarracks
1/
I thought that the UK would be a safe place for me. That was before I was taken to the barracks.
Please don’t let the people left inside the camps feel like they’ve been left behind.
THREAD #CloseTheBarracks
1/
It took me two years to reach the UK. I never thought I'd end up in a military camp when I got here.
I was one of the first men brought to the barracks.
When we arrived at night, we were met by far-right protestors blocking the road and banging on the bus windows.
2/
I was one of the first men brought to the barracks.
When we arrived at night, we were met by far-right protestors blocking the road and banging on the bus windows.
2/
They wanted to make sure that we felt afraid and we did.
We had no idea what was going on. We were terrified and thought we were being deported.
Being in the camp was very retraumatizing for me. It reminded me of when I was in a military camp in Syria and they tortured me.
3/
We had no idea what was going on. We were terrified and thought we were being deported.
Being in the camp was very retraumatizing for me. It reminded me of when I was in a military camp in Syria and they tortured me.
3/
Can you imagine that? I never thought I would feel like this in the UK. I was devastated.
In the barracks, there were many men cramped in the same room.
I asked if I should wear a mask in my room when I slept and they said there was no point.
4/
In the barracks, there were many men cramped in the same room.
I asked if I should wear a mask in my room when I slept and they said there was no point.
4/
They were bringing in people from all over the country and placing them in the camp without testing them for covid.
No wonder there was an outbreak.
In the first month, there was no medical care and no interpreters.
5/
No wonder there was an outbreak.
In the first month, there was no medical care and no interpreters.
5/
They decided we are fit and healthy to be in the camp without giving us any sort of medical assessment.
If they didn't assess us and identify that we were vulnerable, they could keep us there.
For example, there was a man whose jaw was so badly injured he couldn’t eat.
6/
If they didn't assess us and identify that we were vulnerable, they could keep us there.
For example, there was a man whose jaw was so badly injured he couldn’t eat.
6/
No one even examined him, it was only when I got out that I was able to tell someone that he needed an assessment. We had to arrange it with NGOs from the outside for him to get medical care.
I came to the UK as a refugee in search of safety. Now, I regret my decision.
7/
I came to the UK as a refugee in search of safety. Now, I regret my decision.
7/
Although I was freed from barracks, I'm worried about those who are.
I can't let them think they've been forgotten.
Please show my friends still held at the barracks that they matter by sharing my message far and wide.
Priti Patel #CloseTheBarracks now!
8/
I can't let them think they've been forgotten.
Please show my friends still held at the barracks that they matter by sharing my message far and wide.
Priti Patel #CloseTheBarracks now!
8/
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