By Jeff Shantz and Eva Ureta
April 8, 2020
Migrants detained in the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Laval Immigration Holding Centre undertook an eight-day hunger strike in March-April to oppose the threats to health and safety suffered by migrant detainees, particularly in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic. While some hunger strikers have been released, around 20 detainees are still held in the main part of the centre. Others are being held in the Rivière-des-Prairies jail in Montreal.
The hunger strikers demand the immediate release of all detainees with adequate and safe housing being ensured. The CBSA has chosen only to release migrant detainees slowly, through individual detention review hearings. At the same time politicians and media gave continued to peddle an offensive narrative that frames refugee claimants as “illegal crossings” (which they are not, even within the limited confines of law). No one is illegal.
Detainees and their allies have raised the call to #freethemall, including those being held in prisons or in detention centres. Especially in light of Covid 19 health risks (but also because detention is and injustice), prisoners must be released immediately with adequate and safe housing ensured.
In support of the hunger strikers, and all people held in detention, a call for solidarity actions was put out. In Surrey, Unceded Coast Salish Territories (so-called British Columbia) we organized an action at the new migrant detention center being prepared in the city. This detention centre has been built under much secrecy, with little information and few details made public. We put up several placards and signs and recorded a short video. Security and staff were present (not social distancing) and several vehicles came into and out of the site.
Organizers of the solidarity call have asked that supporters do the following:
Continue to pressure the government for the immediate release of all detainees!
Send support statements to detenuslaval@gmail.com
Direct calls and emails to:
Federal Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair
Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-995-0284
Fax: 613-996-6309
