Thread by @followMFJ

Who are #Jamaica50 ? It’s important to get truth out fast about people @ukhomeoffice have swept up in racist dragnet of Jamaican community ahead of Aug mass deportation charter flight. This thread tells some of their stories #StopThePlane #StopCharterFlights #EndDetention (1/16)

1. MM came UK age 11 to join father, indefinite leave to remain (ILR), 19 yrs UK. 7 British kids, 5 w/wife inc newborn. Convicted possession/intent, original trial judge gave suspended sentence noting good character & deserved second chance. CPS appealed, revised to 3yrs (2/16)

That was 1st & only offence, out of prison since 2019. Wife is carer & he took care of kids as she worked through pandemic. Constituent of @AlexNorrisNN who is making reps on his behalf. This govt doesn’t believe in ‘second chances’ for the black community. #yesItsRacist (3/16)

2. AF came UK age 10, sent from JA to live w/ #WindrushGeneration grandparents after brutally stabbed by gang. JA police advised mum to send him & sister away. Mum joined later, no fam left in JA. His cousin was deported & killed in JA - his life is in danger if returned (4/16)

AF has fiancé & 4 kids, provides childcare for all his kids while two mums work. On day detained he had 10mth baby & stepson, @ukhomeoffice threatens to call social services - fiancé had to leave her new job to pick them up& that job now under threat cause no childcare. (5/16)

All because of a single offence (GBH), for which he served his time, free since 2017 & no reoffending. He is suicidal, he is terrified of being sent back 2 JA, has flashbacks to attack on him there. @SteveReedMP is his MP & making reps for him. #StopThePlane #Jamaica50 (6/16)

3. DH 20yrs in UK, conviction intent to supply, 1st & only offence, out of prison since 2012 no reoffending. Diagnosed schizophrenia, he’s confused, distressed & without medication for days. MP is @FloEshalomi , have emailed u, pls intervene 2 help get DH out of detention! (7/16)

4. J kidnapped & trafficked to UK as child, moved around, abused in every place till he went to police age 10. Put in foster care, they got him ILR but never registered him as British. Deeply traumatised he got into trouble at 16 convicted Joint Enterprise GBH, 6yrs IPP (8/16)

J spent 8yrs of youth locked up. Released feb 2018, no offending since. Never told anyone what happened as child, felt ashamed. Feels police/social services rescued him from horrific abuse but now feels betrayed. Never been to Jamaica, terrified of being deported #Jamaic59 (9/16)

5. HW age 65, #Windrush generation wife, 21yrs in UK w/ ILR, worked as a prison officer. His 12yr old daughter recently died in hospital after gross neg, still grieving. Drugs offence, 7yr sentence 1st & only offence. @KateOsamor he is ur constituent, will email 2moro (10/16)

6. AH came 17y/o, 30yrs UK, joined Brit cit mum. Descendant of #Windrush lives w/ partner & 2 children, + two grown up kids. 18mths for drugs offence - 1st & only offence. Released 2015 no reoffending ever since. @jeremycorbyn this is ur constituent, will email 2moro. (11/16)

These r true stories of lives being destroyed by @ukhomeoffice racist summer of mass deportations. This govts lies re ‘deporting dangerous criminals’ exposed. Second chances denied to black & immigrant communities #YesItsRacist #StopCharterFlights #EndDeportations (12/16)

What you can do..
a) join us Sat 2 demonstrate (see pinned post)
b) email MP, ask them to speak out against charter flight deportations & the #BordersBill which further criminalises immigrants & deepens racist hostile environment.
c) share these stories, get the truth out (13/16)

d) if u are JA national, contact Jamaican High Commission & Jamaican politicians - tell them to stand up to the UKs racist deportations of their citizens. Tell them to ensure the deal they made that people who came as children will not be deported is honoured. #Jamaica50 (14/16)

e) target airlines who take this governments blood money to carry out racist mass deportations, follow @CorpWatchUK to learn more about the companies involved here are some - @TitanAirways @TUIUK Evelop Air, Air Tanker (comment with social media handles & other companies) (15/16)

f) finally, stand w/ ALL immigrant communities facing criminalisation & deportations, at end of Aug there’s NIG charter - make sure it gets the same level of anger/resistance. Stand up 4 asylum seekers & cross channel refugees - RESIST #BordersBill By Any Means Necessary (16/16)