Activists call Patel 'racist,' 'inhumane' over Rwanda refugee plan
2 Min Read
Green New Deal Rising activists disrupted UK's home secretary's speech at a Conservative party dinner in Bassetlaw. They were opposing the government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
-
Patel announced the policy last month (Archive)
A video posted on Twitter, on Saturday, showed a group of British activists yelling at UK’s home secretary while she was at a party, chastising her for the government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Patel announced the policy last month after promising the Rwandan government $157 million – a sum that does not cover flights, security, or living expenses.
The Green New Deal Rising movement posted the video on Twitter urging the government to “drop this widely condemned policy and provide support for people seeking safety” no matter where they come from.
One of the attendees addressed British MP Priti Patel, saying, “Priti Patel, your racist policies are killing people," while another said, "We are disgusted by your treatment of refugees.”
Last night we disrupted @pritipatel because her #Rwandaplan is cruel, morally bankrupt & it will cost lives.
— Green New Deal Rising (@GNDRising) May 7, 2022
We demand the Government drops this widely condemned policy & provides support for people seeking safety.
No matter where we come from, we all deserve dignity & respect pic.twitter.com/DQDzC2aMCB
Others said, “We’re sickened to see the Government ramping up its hostile policies rather than helping those fleeing from war, poverty, and extreme weather," and “As climate change displaces entire communities, leaving people vulnerable to exploitation and violence, we must act with compassion."
The Rwanda plan quickly drew the ire of opposition politicians, who accused Johnson of attempting to divert attention away from the party gate scandal, while rights groups slammed the project as "inhumane."
Ghana and Rwanda had previously been mentioned as possible destinations for the UK to outsource migrant processing, but Ghana denied involvement in January.
It is worth mentioning that Emmanuel Macron has recently slammed Boris Johnson's government for making Ukrainian refugees unwanted in the UK amid its claims of being the world leader in aiding war victims.
The French President was scathing about Johnson's approach to people fleeing from Ukraine as he spoke at the close of an EU summit in Versailles.
