A protest was held in Bangor on Wednesday after concerns were raised that an asylum seeker residing in the area could be facing detention and deportation as part of the UK Governments Rwanda scheme.
It was feared that the individual was at risk as part of the nationwide sweep that has been taking place yesterday. Campaigners suggest that the first detentions have been held to coincide with elections across the UK, in order to ease the Conservatives’ electoral woes.
Catrin Wager, who is standing to be Plaid Cymru’s MP for the brand-new seat of Bangor Aberconwy in the upcoming General Election, joined campaign group Gwynedd and Môn Against Rwanda Deportations outside Bangor Police Station yesterday.
Catrin said: “This incident has caused immense strain on the individual and he is asking for privacy at this time, but he is grateful to those who have come along today to show solidarity and support.
“Those who are supporting him, including Dyma Ni Befriending and Hywel Williams MP, would like to take this opportunity to thank all the protestors for treating this matter with kindness and empathy, and for coming out to show solidarity today. It is likely that we will face situations like this again, and we ask you to be vigilant and unwavering in your support on this issue.
“The detention and deportation of some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society is a cruel, costly, and ineffective policy that is currently taking a severe toll on the mental health and wellbeing of thousands across the country. We condemn the actions of this UK government, and call for an end to the suffering, and complete waste of taxpayers’ money that is the Rwanda policy.”
