No Borders South Wales hold organising meetings every other Thurday at 7pm in the South Riverside Community Development Centre, Brunel Street, Cardiff CF11 6ES. (map). They usually take no more than 1 hour and are usually followed by a sociable pint in a nearby pub!

Next meeting is Thursday 21st August 2008 at the Riverside Community Development Centre. All Welcome.

Minutes from past meetings

Minutes from all meetings will appear here as soon as is practical.

Riverside Community Centre, 7th August 2008

  • Picket. Next one to be held outside the UKBA offices 31-33 Newport Road on Wednesday 20 August at 12 noon for one hour
  • ID Cards. Brief discussion about the ID cards leaflet that was distributed last meeting was had. Everyone seemed to like it.
  • Statement. Copies of our ‘political statement’ were handed around. A proposal was made that the group should revisit the statement with a view to updating it. The idea is that this should be something that the group does on a fairly regular basis. This should be done as a means of thinking about who we are as a group, our core beliefs about issues relating to migration and wider structures of governance, capitalism, what are our short and long term goals and focus etc etc.
  • Anti-fascism. A South Wales contingent will be joining others from all over the UK to oppose and stop the BNP’s red, white and blue festival next weekend in derbyshire. Anyone wanting to attend get in contact.
  • Babi’s campaign. Babi’s recent appeal was rejected. On a more positive note he’s now got a new solicitor who’s putting in an application for a fresh claim. Hurray!!! watch out for details of next meeting to discuss future directions for babi’s campaign.
  • Fundraising. Ideas for fundrasing were discussed. We’ve got a benefit “No Border Fest” coming up on the first weekend in october. Everyone to think about ways in which we can raise money for the group.
  • Discussion was had about someone who was recently snatched when signing. People are on it trying to find out more info…
  • Also we heard that we’re gonna be able to use Refugee Voice Wales’ office space when they relocated to clifton st sometime in september. hurrah!!

Riverside Community Centre, 24th July 2008

  • Jean Pierre Gueutchue currently still at Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre. Feedback given from a no borders member who went to visit him. No further removal directions as yet. His solicitor is going to see if anything more can be done from a legal point of view.
  • Kemi Ayinde and Taiwo Salami wished to thank everyone who helped with their campaign to stay and to return to Cardiff. They are awaiting the outcome of their application for a judicial review, so the campaign continues.
  • ID Cards- a new-ish leaflet that draws attention to the way in which migrants are being used as a testing ground for an ID card system in the UK, was distributed to the group for any feedback on changes and additions they feel could be made. Feedback to be given next meeting.
  • Website. This blog has been getting a good amount of traffic, if you can. Other contributors are welcome. Any news stories or information welcome. Please e-mail noborderswales@riseup.net. Also help promote No Borders online, there’s now a facebook group and are listed on technorati, blogcatalog and elsewhere, please vote, favourite or whatever else us….
  • Babi Badalov- ongoing anti-deportation camapaign was discussed. Please continue to write letters of support and help to collect signatures for the petition. Sign the on-line petition. All supporters of the campaign welcome to come along to a meet/meal at Kismet Curry house (£2.50 buffet), City Road on Monday at 5.30pm to write letters and chat about new ways forward with the campaign.
  • Pickets of the Home Office in Cardiff. It was agreed to hold further pickets on a monthly basis at the Border and Immigration Agency at 31-33 Newport Road, Cardiff. Next picket will be on Wednesday 20th August, 12 noon. The pickets generally last for an hour. 
  • Fund-raising. We are practically skint and could do with some cash. If anybody has any ideas, please propse them next meeting. We’ve got a benefit two-dayer of anarcho-punk this 3rd/4th October with Inner Terrestrials, No Choice,  KilnAboy, and more TBC. So keep your diary free!

Riverside Community Centre, 10th July 2008

  • There were so many people at this No Borders meeting that we nearly ran out of chairs. Excellent.
  • Kemi & family. They are still in Yarlswood, their solicitor is applying to get them out. The hearing is on Monday or Tuesday next week in London. A couple of kind souls have agreed to stand as surety for them. Brilliant.
  • Picket. The last picket was well-attended but there was no reaction from staff at the building. An interview was done on Radio Cardiff! The next picket has been arranged for 12 noon on Wednesday, 23rd of July 2008AD. Bring banners and placards and all that.
  • Jean Pierre. He’s in Campsfield at the mo, and has a hearing on the 17th of this month, with removal directions for the 21st. Details of the actual flight are to be obtained. Check out the archive feature here.
  • Babi Badalov. Babi needs some new action on his petition, arrangements have been made to do this after Babi signs at the Home Office at 11.30am next Tuesday so turn up the to help if you can. Do it do it do it. He has also been having problems with his solicitor and is waiting for a High Court decision, so support him in any way you can.
  • Office space. There may be a chance that we may get some. Watch this space re office space.
  • Media Strategy. We had a discussion about this and decided to carry on doing press releases to the mainstream lot. We also agreed that we need a phone which can be people could take turns having as a central press contact.
  • Leaflet. It was agreed to produce a leaflet about the facts regarding asylum seekers, borders and all that for door to door distribution. Four dudes volunteered to forge ahead with the production of this missive.
  • Croeso. The very first meeting of the Croeso Network will take place next week at the Bute Town History and Arts Centre, 17th of July at 7.00pm at night. It’s a chance for networking with all concerned groups in the area. Everyone welcome. See you all there.

Riverside Community Centre, 26th June 2008

  • Jean Pierre. Local asylum seeker has been taken to campsfield detention centre. A few people are already in contact with him. We will endevour to produce some publicity on his case. The person doing this knows who they are. oh yes.
  • Office. A contact from Refugee Voice Wales has meantioned the possibilty of getting us an office in their new building. People were posative about the development, but we’ll wait and see if it happens.
  • IOM. The international Organisation For Migration are right dodgy bastards. They have drop in sessions on the last thursday of every month in the Splott Road Housing Office. Someone brought their literature about ‘voluntary return’, which is horrific.
  • Event. Next thursday TELL YOUR FRIENDS. see the front page for details.
  • Website. People are invited to post on the this here website, if any trusted people want the password, email innit.
  • G8 demo Croydon - London Fete. 5th July - damn soon! Possibility of transport, please post on the discussion list if you wanna come.
  • Unity talk - The Unity centre bods in Glasgow are keen to come and do a talk, and we want to have them, it will happen. oh yes.
  • Benefit Gig. Still no sign of the Babi benefit gig, but there will be a Punx Picnic in Newport TJs on the first weekend of October. One of the nights will be a Benefit for No Borders South Wales - rayyyy!!
  • Picket. Next one will be Wednesday 9th July. Book it off work now innit!
  • Babi. Family are making threats due to the fact Babi is gay is now public knowledge in Azerbajhan due to a Newspaper report about his campagin. We need to increse our effort on Babi’s case, the campagin page needs updating. Petitions need to be started to be postered to the Home office soon as Babi now has to sign every week and is at risk of detention. We will be collecting signatures at the riverside farmers market this sunday, if anyone is interested in getting involved in the campagin please come along.
  • Nigerian failed asylum seeker in detention. The friend of a a young family including a pregnant mother and child were grabbed by a snatch squad and taken to Yaleswood last week. We will be working on helping their friends set up a campaign to get them released. People will be getting together on sunday afternoon to start get the ball rolling.
  • Next meeting in two weeks same time, same venue. see you there!

Riverside Community Centre, 5th June 2008

  • Babi. Publicity needed for the awareness raising event on 19th June so everyone email all your mates, contact listings websites, etc. The more people do with this the better, link to the Keep Babi Safe campagin page etc. The event will be free but any donations to Babi’s campagian will be very welcome. Leaflets and posters coming soon! Please take some to put up when they are done.
  • Banner. Design agreed as the circular No Borders Wales logo with “Freedom of movement for all” alongside it in both English and Welsh. H to sort translation asap.
  • Radio Cardiff. Tune in on June 18th pop pickers! It;s Babi’s birthday and we’re gonna be on the wireless! Tune in at 98.7 FM.
  • Climate camp. We (along with Bristol No Borders) will be hosting a workshop of the political issue of No Borders in relation to Climate change. There will be a Climate Camp meeting on June 12th in the Mitre. Someone from the group will defiantly attend.
  • Public Meeting. This will take place on Thursday 3rd July at the Riverside Community Centre and will feature people who have been through the reality of UK border controls speaking about their experiences. Babi has said he will speaks, others will be asked asap. Possibility of making this a regular event in different locations.
  • Benefit gig. The person doing this is on it. honest. Watch this space…
  • Iran. There was a new person at the meeting tonight, he is an Iranian failed asylum seeker who is stuck in limbo as he cannot be deported. There many such Iranians stuck in this position, both locally and nationally. No Borders South Wales will help to set up a campaign should the person desire it. Either way the issue of people stuck in limbo with no rights and no benefits, not allowed to work and often unable to eat often enough needs more attention being brought onto it. Watch this space…

Riverside Community Centre, 22nd May 2008

  • Unions. No replies received so far to letters sent, a further copy will be sent, the intention is to direct them to particular departments within the unions, e.g Race & Equality etc.
  • Public Meeting. A proposal was made that a public meeting be organised at which individuals currently involved in the asylum process could give their stories. This was enthusiastically received by those present. Comment was made that this type of meeting had been very powerful at last year’s No Borders camp, and that a No Borders meeting could be turned over to this event.
  • Climate Camp. A request has been received from Bristol requesting that our group give a workshop at the forthcoming Climate Camp concerning the politics surrounding No Borders issues. A poor soul at the meeting volunteered to undertake this task, although any assistance would be fab. The camp is 4th to 11th of August in Kent, ‘The Garden of England’. There is a high possibility of there being a Welsh Neighbourhood this year too. If you would like to help or support get in touch via the list innit.
  • Website. This has been changed about a bit, several proposals were made, such as posting No Borders-related Gagged articles, comments and creating a space where organisations could sign up and show support. Balloons and streamers flew high into the air, kept aloft by the enthusiasm for these cyber-suggestions.
  • Banner. The funding for this high-quality, PVC banner with proper ringlets and everything and everything has already been OK’d by the group. What is going to be on it will be decided at the next No Borders meeting so crank up your craniums. If you can’t make the meeting post your genius ideas on the interwebnet.
  • Signatures. There are several events coming up at which it would surely be considered advantageous to obtain signatures, e.g. item 7 below etc. There are also arrangements to attend the Chapter Arts Centre this coming Saturday at 7pm to collect signatures for Babi’s petition from the Guardian-reading clientele of that fine establishment. If you have ideas of where we could go petition-wise, use the list and we will turn up to assist you. Also, a couple of us covered some gay bars in Cardiff on Thursday afternoon and it was v easy to obtain support.
  • Patrick Jones Event. An event will be held at Bute Town History and Arts Centre on the 19th of June 2008, featuring poetry and music. It is free. Once full details are known it would be good if everyone could jump on the Publicity Bandwagon to ensure its success. Patrick Jones is a prominent poet and playwright and his brother is Nicky Wire. We are so well-connected it’s unbelievable.
  • Picket. At the last picket there were shenanigans occurring all over the shop. Security took pictures of picketeers, picketeers took photos of security, a plain-clothes cop turned up and all sorts. You can find photos of this on the noborderswales website. A discussion was had that those attending pickets should agree on its tone, bearing in mind the effect on those attending to sign etc. The next picket is TBA, perhaps to coincide with the Welsh Refugee Week in the miggle of June.
  • Spoken Word Event. Hoi. You. Attend please Canton Uniting Church at 7.30pm on the 27th of May 2008, to hear our friend Babi do some spoken word stuff, along with other entertainment options. This is next Tuesday, write it large in your anarcho-activist diaries.

Riverside Community Centre, 8th of May 2008

  • Picket. The next one will be at noon on the 22nd of May 2008. There are plans for a new leaflet by then, please bring any banners and yourselves for this important regular event.
  • Banner. Designs for a new banner for the website and a proper posh physical banner were discussed and agreed. The designs are v impressive and if you’d have been at the meeting you would have been able to marvel in person.
  • Leaflet. As discussed in 1),a new leaflet is to be produced. The text has already been put up on the list so if you have any gripes, gripe now.
  • Articles for Gagged. Gagged is the regular publication of South Wales Anarchists. No Borders type articles are required asap, with regard to Babi Badalov, Blockade Action, Ama Sumani etc. Please submit some stuff. Gagged is a very important thing. (My opinion).
  • Saturday 10th of May 2008 AD, Babi campaign petition signing at AB statue, Queen Street, Cardiff, please bring clip-boards, pens and a smiley face. This is a critical time for the campaign so please take part.
  • Bristol. A picket has been organised for the 15th of May at the offices of the International Organisation for Migration from noon to 2pm. This is in opposition to the organisation’s stance on forcing people to return to Iraq. Dudes from South Wales may be attending. Use the list to sort out transport etc.

Riverside Community Centre, 27th March 2008

  • Ama Sumani gig. We made £500 for Ama’s children (Clwb waved their fee as well!). There was a good turnout and everyone had a good time, it was suggested we should do a gig for Constance sometime in the future.
  • Border and Immigration picket. Last Tuesday (25th) there was supposed to be a picket - but, due to not many people turning up and a lack of leaflets to distribute, it didn’t go ahead. Instead a few people went to visit someone who has been involved with Ama Sumani’s campaigns, and a ‘Freedom of Movement’ demo was arranged for a week this Saturday (5th April) 12pm at….you guessed it! The Nye Bevan statue, top of Queens Street. See you there! This event is hoped to be the first of many, working towards building that long awaited ‘Freedom of Movement’ network.
  • Zimbabwe Demo. Saturday 29th 12.30 - 2.30 at Nye Bevan.
  • Trade Union and Community Conference. March 29th, by ‘No one is Illegal’. A few of the group will be attending and giving feedback next meeting.
  • London No Borders Meeting. March 30th. Discussing the campaigns decided on at the previous Manchester No Borders meeting. This meeting will also have a Cardiff presence! Feedback next meeting.
  • Oh and we had two new attendees to the group this week…so, welcome! *waves*
    I hope the hour spent folding Gagged at the end of the meeting hasn’t put you off coming back!! (you know you loved it really!)

Riverside Community Centre, 13th March 2008

  • Venue. It was decided to keep the meetings at the Riverside Community Development Centre, Brunel Street, Cardiff, for the time being, as it was thought to be an accessible and inviting environment. A comment was made that if people were serious about the issue, they would come anyway!
  • Stall. There is to be a stall at the Ama Sumani benefit gig 23.03.08 at Clwb Ifor Bach, which will bear info about No Borders, including a new leaflet outlining the basic points whic a volunteer volunteered to write. Other info stuff will also be collated for the event. anyone who could do the stall/help to set up would be fab, get in touch via the list. A banner is also going to be produced showing the website address.
  • Picket. The next one is at noon on the 25th of March 2008. Please come and help if you can.
  • Collective research/presentation. A proposal was made that members of the group could research relevant elements surrounding the No Borders issue and presented to the group in order that we can further educate ourselves. A dude said they would research the IOM (International Organisation for Migration) as the first subject. Huzzar.
  • Constance campaign. There is no red-hot news at the mo as the elements in this case are currently under consideration. Resident Status is the aim, which, if obtained would be absolutely super. Everyone has got everything crossed.
  • Trans-national Chain Reaction meeting. This is a meeting in London, organised in part by the No-one Is Illegal group, to consist of workshops, seminars etc. Delegates from the group are to attend and feed back at a later meeting.
  • Forum. We had a general discush about the possibility of ths occurring. It was thought that energies should be put into attempting to further engage with those affected by the No Borders issue at present.
  • Next meeting 7pm 27.03.08 at Riverside.

No borders meeting @ the PAD social centre, Thursday 15/11/07

1) Constance and Andreas anti-deportation campaign:
-a campaign stall was held last Saturday 10th November, Queen Street. Approx 250 signatures were collected.
-further stall to be held sat 17th, 12 noon, top of Queen Street. (this went ahead on sat, about 220 signatures collected).
- Completed petitions and copies of any letters to be kept together at Refugee Voice Wales
- it was proposed that the campaign should have separate meetings from the No Borders meetings, so a wider range of people may get involved to make the campaign as effective as possible.
-the next meeting to focus on Constance’s campaign will be monday 19th nov, 6pm at PAD social centre.
-another, more central meeting location is to be looked into. Any ideas?
-It was suggested that Leanne Wood AM be contacted to request her support, as she has been involved with anti-deportation campaigning in the past. R agreed to e-mail her.
- for more info and ways you can help, please see: http://noborderswales.wordpress.com/keep-constance-in-cardiff/

2) Picket
-A further picket of Border and Immigration Agency offices, General Buildings, 31-33 Newport Road, Cardiff (corner of East Grove and Newport Road: map) will take place from 12 noon, Tuesday 20th November.

3) Working with Refugee Voice Wales
- A representative of Refugee Voice Wales attended the meeting. It was pointed out that there many other asylum seekers in the area who are also threatened with deportation.
-it was asked if other individuals facing deportation could be referred to no borders group. It was discussed and pointed out that any campaign must be run by the asylum seeker themselves. anyone is welcome to come to a meeting and discuss their situation and the group will offer whatever support and solidarity it is able to, but that person will be in charge of their own campaign.

4) Minutes
-proposed that minutes from each meeting be brought to next meeting to ensure we don’t go over stuff needlessly and can make sure action points are carried out. Agreed!

5) Banner
B volunteered to make another more effective banner for Constance’s campaign stall. Do it Do it Do it! we said.
Here are the rip-roaring minutes from the No Borders meeting which took place on the 1st of November 2007 at The Pad, South Wales’ social centre extraordinaire.

1) Constance Nzeneu campaign.

Petitions for this campaign should be finished by tomorrow and there should be some supplies at The Pad, South Wales’ social centre extraordinaire, by Saturday. They will be taken to forthcoming gigs and events, and a comprehensive list of relevant groups/organisations is being prepared to ensure maximum exposure. A draft letter is to be drafted so that people can send personal letters as well as signing the petition. A proposal was made that a stall be done in Cardiff on saturday, 10th of November starting at noon. Watch this space for further details and comfirmation. The next meeting to focus on this campaign will be the No Borders, 15th of November at The Pad, South Wales’ social centre extraordinaire innit.

2) Home Office Picket.

The next picket at the Immigration Service building, 31 -33 Newport Road, Cardiff is at noon on the 6th of November. Banner making this Sunday from 3pm at The Pad, South Wales’ social centre extraordinaire.

3) Website Shenanigans.

One of our group has had a website constructed for him but the constructor’s are acting like complete arses. He requests assistance via the medium of e-mails, search out the the details at The Pad, South Wales’ social centre extraordinaire.

4) Cardiff Prison.

“Are ‘asylum seekers’ in Cardiff prison?” I hear you ask? One of the group is on a mighty quest to seek an answer, cos if it is the case we reckon that’s a negative situation.

Minutes from October 25th 07:

Picket
- Outside Immigration Building at Newport Road - 6th November, 12:00 till 1:00
- It was suggested that new banners (more specifically informing people about snatch squads) need to be made.
- Banner making will take place on November 4th.

Anti Deportation Meeting
- Will take place 5/5:30, Tuesday.

No Borders International Day Of Action
- Will take place 2nd November.
- Was suggested that a banner drop should take place.

(since writing this, the Day of Action seems to have fallen by the wayside…)

no borders meeting at the PAD, 4/10/07…
1) Picket of Border and Immigration Agency building, Cardiff (this went ahead last Tuesday 11/10)
-Proposed that for future pickets, we contact other local groups who may wish to join us.

2) Mapping of border points in Cardiff
-As discussed at previous meetings, a list of locations in Cardiff and local area where movement/migration is checked is to be made, similar to the one for the south-east england region found here: http://noborders.org.uk/Static/BorderPoints
-R to forward list compiled so far to no borders wales e-mail list

3) International day of action- Nov 2nd
- a call out has been made for a day of action against the building of the new detention centre nr Gatwick, to target companies/agencies involved in this, or who are complicit in the deportation/detention of migrants
-if you have any further info on this, please forward to list

4 )No Borders Film night
-to be held at PAD, 23rd Oct
-J to provide films from ‘Virtual Migrants’
-also to be shown, any footage of no borders camp demos
-with popcorn!
-D to approach C to design flyer for event

5) Networking event
-the possibility of holding a networking event in Cardiff was discussed, to involve local groups who organise around issues of migration, where groups are invited to present a short talk about their work
-it was proposed that this forum meet quarterly, and have a specific and coherent demand, for example: “shut all detention centres”
- a list of groups to to be invited is to be complied. The ‘Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK’ (ICAR) site is quite helpful: http://www.icar.org.uk/?lid=4737
-proposed that the forum include wider anti-racist groups
-proposed date for first forum is sat, 1st December; venue: Friends Meeting House, Charles Street, Cardiff. D to contact the venue to book.
-D to write invitation to send to groups and put onto e-mail list (I think she has done this already! please feedback on this!)

6) Meeting regularity
- next meeting in two weeks time on 18th October, PAD Social Centre; to review meeting regularity then.

 

NO BORDERS MINUTES 27.09.07

 

1) Feedback from No Borders Camp.

 

This was positive in nature, with regard to the networking opportunity the camp gave, including contacts with International No Borders Activists. The main actions and demos were highly visible, particularly at Immigration Centres in Croydon. There is to be a discussion gathering in November/December re where we should go next.

 

 

2) Open Drop-In at The Pad.

 

An idea was floated that we should have a drop-in type arrangement at The Pad prior to the No Borders meetings. It was decided that due to the precarious nature of The Pad that instead, time should be spent collating all the necessary information in order that a high-quality ‘signposting’ service and social space can be provided when a more permanent premises has been found.

 

3) Home Office picket.

 

The next one is to be 09.10.07 outside the Home Office building on Newport Road, Cardiff, from 11am. The current leaflet is to be updated in time for this via the miracle of the list to ensure all those on it who wish to have a say can have one.. We also discussed the potential problem of this type of demo, i.e. causing the centre to be closed to the inconvenience of those using it, as happened during the No Borders camp. The situation is to be monitored.

 

4) Outreach Event.

 

There was a proposal that loads of groups be invited to what should become a quarterly event in South Wales so that everyone can get together and talk about stuff. There was a similar event held at the Quakers Meeting House in February 2006 which apparently was v.good.

 

5) Meeting Frequency.

 

It was agreed that the No Borders meetings should become fortnightly as of 04.10.07 now that the camp has finished.

 

 

 

6) Film Night.

 

There is to be a film night at The Pad at 7pm on the 23rd of October, featuring Virtual Migrants and more blockbusters. Use the list if you’ve got any suggestions/can help organise.

 

7) Other Stuff.

 

We also spoke about other shenanigans. If you had come to the meeting you would know all about it.

Minutes from 13/9/07 @ the PAD
1) National no borders meeting feedback:

-J gave feeedback from the UK no border camp organising meeting, held last sunday 9th sept.
- there will be a gathering on the friday in Croyden on migration and gender, sexwork, gender borders and national borders
- the site for the camp has been confirmed and is located northeast of Horley (Gatwick), three miles from the South Terminal and about one mile east of Salfords/Surrey. more details here: http://noborders.org.uk/Static/CampHowToGetThere
- the camp will be organised centrally, with a central kitchen run by the Anarchist Teapot and 1 n 12 Club.
-the camp needs- bulbs and electrical sockets. can you help/donate any? R and H to co-ordinate this.
- south wales will take a couple of camping stoves and kettles for tea making. we’ll also take a pasting table or two. anyone else got any fold away tables we could borrow?
-the camp also needs 2 more marquees!
please contact noborderswales@riseup.net if you can help with any of the above.
-people will be visiting detainees at Tinsley House detention centre in the run to the camp, if anyone is interested in making visits.
-J is fire and safety officer for the camp. we are in safe hands. however, we could do with taking a couple of fire extinguishers…H to contact D about borrowing these.
-Legal observers needed for days of action- training available at the camp if you’re interested.
-Legal info- bust sheets available with extra advice for people with precarious status.
-volunteers needed for prisoner support- find out more at the camp

Transport to no borders camp:
- small minibus leaving south wales on wednesday. this is full.
- 3 spaces are available in a car going on thursday. please contact H or noborderswales@riseup.net if you want a lift!
-there is free transport from Bristol available to the international day day of action on sat 22nd. email kebelesocialcentre@riseup.net with your name and contact

International Forum:
-proposed that we speak as no borders wales in the meeting. we’ll get together at the camp on thursday at 7pm to discuss want we want to present.

Feedback from action last tuesday:
- some of the group went to the Border and Immigration agency building on tuesday sept 11 and gave out about 200 leaflets and hung a banner on the building. positive feedback from people attending the centre and a mixed response from passers by.
-next picket will be tuesday 25th sept, 11am.
-proposal to find out more info on the immigration court in Newport in order to plan demo/action

Film night-
- a no borders film night will take place at the PAD social centre on tuesday 9th October, to show films and give feedback from the no border camp. to be further discussed at no borders meeting on 27/10, 7pm.

Foot and Mouth
- police say that the camp shouldn’t take place because of this but it was pointed out that the cops are just trying to scare us off. so stuff them.

No Borders meeting minutes- 6th Sept

Gatwick area camp 19-24th Sept:
- the camp is planned to be centrally organised, with a central kitchen, with approx 300 people expected and 500 welcome packs being prepared.
-a national organising meeting is being held this Saturday, September 8th, 1pm
Rampart Social Centre, London. A cardiff delegate is to attend and will gather info on behalf of the group, such as if we should take any of our own cooking equipment and if there is any transport organised from central london to the camp.
- it was proposed that Cardiff take our own tea making equipment. we have a couple of camping stoves and kettles that we can take.
-some people from south wales are planning to attend the camp before the 19th in order to help set up the camp.

Transport:
-Bristol no borders are providing free transport (from Bristol) on sat 22nd, for the international demo at Tinsley House dentention centre.
Minibuses leave Kebele social centre at 8:30am Saturday 22nd September. One will return Saturday evening and the other will return Sunday evening. To book your place email kebelesocialcentre@riseup.net with your name and contact

-Transport from south wales: as many of the group are going on differing dates before the 19th sept, it was considered that hiring our own mini bus was not feasible. However a nine seater mini bus is going from Cardiff on 19th sept which is now full. a few others will go by coach. e-mail noborderswales@riseup.net if you would like to travel with us!

International forum of work against detention and deportation-22nd sept
-so far, not many groups have replied to our invitation to take part in this forum, despite many e-mails being sent.
-it was proposed that groups are contacted by phone where possible.
- proposal to compile statements from groups on their work against deportation and detention to present at the forum and then to collect any info presented at the forum itself, to compile into a booklet.
-at this point there was a general outburst of excitement from sections of the group in anticipation of the camp.

International demo on 22nd sept:
-it was fedback that a route is being negotiated with police.
- the discussion following this is a secret. you really should have been at the meeting.

No borders south wales- local actions and demos:
-it was previously proposed that the group do regular demos/pickets at Newport immigration court and the Home Office signing centre on Newport Rd.
- it was pointed out that the court operates from mon-thurs
-it is planned that we do a picket/ leafleting at 11am, on 11/9/07 at the Home Office building, 31-33 Newport Road. Please come along if you can.
-leaflet to be produced with info on ‘why no borders’- text to be sent to T by sunday for designing and printing of leaflet.
-it was also proposed that we produce information about the various ‘borders’ in Cardiff, with locations of immigration related official buildings and their function. R to compile info on this.

Meeting Minutes 16th of August.


1) Feedback from Saturday’s event at The Pad. The overall feeling about the event was that it went really well, with some people signing up for transport to the No Borders camp in September too. Passer’s by came in too, showing the advantage of having The Pad open as often as poss.

 

2) Transport to the camp. A minibus is going to be booked and driver(s) are already sorted out. It was agreed that the transport would be leaving Cardiff on 19th of September, returning on the 24th, with an option for just travelling one-way if the numbers allow. Please could all interested parties let the list know as soon as possible if transport is required and also distribute the fact that there is some to wherever you reckon. (A transport booking list was handed out at the event on the 11th, does anyone know where it is please?) Many thanks.

 

3) We then discussed the 1st of September event at the Butetown History and Arts Centre, to take place from in the afternoon. A poster and leaflet have been designed, watch the list for where to get hold of them/download them.

 

4) International Forum at the camp. The group has some responsibility for this, attempts are being made it make it happen via the mediums of the World Wide Web and the electric telephone machine.

 

5) We then discussed other stuff, which, had you been at the meeting, you would know all about.

 

9th September 2007 at the PAD Social Centre

1. saturday -

everyone organising to arrive by 12pm - h& r to get there earlier.

food, projector, films sorted…

running order :

1 - 1.30 welcome (d), talk about camp, campsfield (J)

1.30 food served…then order runs as follows…

cleaners film

b talk, short film, h talk, cake, another film - fun fun fun !

2. forum for gatwick camp

j to construct standard email it was decided to target at all sorts of
groups working on asylum/ immigration issues , ie not just no borders
groups.

work needs to be stepped up on this…j, d , r to contact peeps

3. 1st september -

r to contact michael at bhac - marketing@bhac.org about the event…

arrange a separate meeting at the centre to discuss the event in the
next two weeks.

 

26th July 2007 @ the PAD Social Centre, Cardiff

1) Feedback from UK No Borders Camp (to be held near Gatwick, sept 19-24) meeting, London:

-Two people at today’s meeting gave feedback from the national meeting that they attended last Sunday.
-There are working groups currently organising for the camp.
-The site for the camp is still being negotiated and local people from the area of the proposed camp will be approached and consulted. Police have also been approached but they have not responded.
-There is a Wiki for sharing info but I’m not sure where this is or what it is to be honest.
-No dogs will be allowed on the camp sorry!
-There is a publicity and media organising group who will co-ordinate with Indymedia.
-There is calendar of events now planned for the duration of the camp. see: http://noborders.org.uk/News/EventsAnnounced
-There will be an international demo on Sat 22nd, 12-2pm at Tinsley House Detention Centre, Gatwick. The new planned Gatwick detention centre is to be built close by. It was suggested that we (Cardiff) could organise transport from Cardiff for people who just wish to go to this demo. This is to be discussed further at next week’s meeting.
-The next UK camp organising meeting is on August 5th, The Cowley Club, Brighton, Starting at 1pm.

2) No Borders South Wales’ contribution to the camp;
- Our group is taking responsibility for co-ordinating the International Forum taking place from 5pm on sat 22nd. This will involve feedback of around 5 mins from no borders and other groups from the UK, Europe and hopefully further afield, to enable networking.
- People agreed to make contact with UK groups and use contacts they have for other international no borders group to invite to attend.
-It was proposed that if a delegate from a certain group is unable to attend, that they provide some written feedback on their activities. A pamphlet/zine of reports and contact details can then be compiled distribute.
-Please can people who agreed to invite groups/individuals feedback next thursday. Ta!
-There is a leaflet which people can get copies of next thursday to distribute. Local groups to also be contacted.

3) Info day and Social @ the PAD, 1pm, 11/08/07
- It was suggested that we could propose to the PAD that any donations made at this event be given towards the no borders camp.
- A film about the struggle of migrants who work as cleaners on the London Underground is available to show (29 mins)
- We need a projector. There are two possible options for borrowing, unless anyone who reads this is able to help out. ta.
-Food is sorted
-There will be a 10 minute talk from someone who is curreNtly seeking asylum in the UK.
- Acoustic music and cake will be provided for an after-discussion social.

4) No Borders outreach event, 1/9/07
-Provisional time of 2-5.30pm?
-Provisional title: “Freedom of Movement”
-This date has been booked at the Butetown Hisotry and Arts Centre, to be an open event that answers the question: “Why no borders?”
-Flyer to be made and it was suggested that we use the Centre’s exisitng mailing list
-Further publicity to be discussed next meeting

5) Blog
- We have a blog type thing/ website which can update with what we’re up to.
It’s at: http://noborderswales.wordpress.com/

19th July 2007

1) No Borders event at The PAD- August 11th
Further planning was made for this event (provisional start time: 1pm) which will aim to raise awareness of and mobilise for the No Borders Camp being held September 19-24th, to resist the building of a new detention centre near Gartwick:
-A speaker from No Borders London has been ‘almost definitely’ confirmed
-A Cardiff based asylum seeker present at the meeting has agreed to speak about his experiences of the asylum system and of his time spent in various detention centres in the UK
-Vegan sushi has already been agreed to be prepared, at a previous meeting
-Does anyone want to bake vegan cake/s for the event?
-There was a proposal to present a time line of the history of border controls in the UK (with visual aids!). Those present thought this would be a good idea.
-Proposal to screen the film “Welcome” by Camcorder Guerillas. Someone agreed to try and get a copy of this.
- Possibility of having some live music for a kind of after-meeting social was proposed. Musicians to be contacted- any volunteers?
- Those present agreed that it should be a no-alcohol event to make it accessible to as many people as possible.

Camp
-There is an organising meeting for the camp in London this Sunday. A Cardiff delegate will hopefully provide feedback from this.
-The need for outreach in the community about asylum issues and the camp was re-iterated.

Flyer/Publicity for 11th August event
-A draft text for a flyer was brought to the meeting. This text is to go on to the No Borders list for collective editing- please give any feedback or make any changes on the list by Tuesday.
-A flyer will be produced by next thursday so we can co-ordinate distribution at the meeting in the evening.

Next meeting is next Thursday 26th July, 7pm, The PAD, 118 Clifton Street, Cardiff.