Protesters in London Surround Coach to Block Relocation of Asylum Seekers to Bibby Stockholm Barge

Protesters in Peckham, London have surrounded a coach sent to collect asylum seekers from a Best Western hotel and relocate them to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset. The protest, partly organized by SOAS Detainee Support and other groups like Black Lives Matter, aims to prevent the asylum seekers from being transported to the barge, citing unsanitary conditions and suicide attempts on the vessel.

The protesters were given a week's notice about the planned relocation and organized the action to prevent the asylum seekers from being "abducted and taken away". They have blocked the coach from leaving, chanting "we shall not be moved" and "refugees are welcome here". Some protesters have slashed the coach's tires and placed electric bikes under the wheels to stop the vehicle from moving.

A large police presence was reported at the scene, along with the London Ambulance Service, but so far the protest has remained peaceful. The coach remains surrounded, and the asylum seekers are still at the hotel. The Home Office has reportedly cancelled the relocation plans, but this is yet to be officially confirmed.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the UK government's handling of asylum seekers and the conditions they face in temporary housing. It also underscores the growing public opposition to the relocation of migrants to the Bibby Stockholm barge, which has faced issues with sanitary conditions and mental health concerns among its residents.

The Bibby Stockholm barge was previously hit by trouble after its first group of migrants had to be evacuated due to legionella bacteria. The government has been working to cut costs from housing migrants in hotels, with over 500 migrants expected to be housed on the barge. This protest comes amid a rise in the number of migrants crossing the English Channel, with over 8,000 arrivals so far in 2024, a 34% increase from the same period in 2023.

The incident follows a series of Home Office operations that saw dozens of migrants set to be deported to Rwanda detained across the UK this week. On the same day as the first detentions were made, more than 700 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats. Asylum seekers have been told they face being made homeless if they refuse to move onto the Bibby Stockholm while their asylum claims are processed.

Key Takeaways

• Protesters in Peckham block coach to stop asylum seekers' relocation to Bibby Stockholm barge.
• Protest organized by SOAS Detainee Support and Black Lives Matter, citing unsanitary conditions and suicide attempts.
• Home Office reportedly cancels relocation plans, but not officially confirmed yet.
• Bibby Stockholm barge previously faced issues with legionella bacteria, now set to house over 500 migrants.
• Incident follows rise in Channel crossings and Home Office operations detaining migrants set for deportation.