BritCits

Quick update from day of action... 

Thanks to those who attended. A fuller update will provided in due course, but some highlights :

From the morning All-Party Parliamentary Group session, chaired by Paul Blomfield MP :

Andrew Percy MP (Conservative) and Katy Clark MP (Labour) provide case studies of constituents affected, as well as a thoughtful contribution from the centre-right think tank Bright Blue on values, and an excellent contribution from the Lib Dem peer Lord Teverson. Very heartening to see members of all parties speaking out on this - including Conservatives.

Many great contributions from the floor as well, in particular Guy Taylor of JCWI made an excellent speech calling on politicians to make a commitment to scrapping the rules and reuniting families. Guy wants one more day of action next 9th July, and then for it to be done. 'A review of the rules would be nice, but scrapping them is what we need'. I couldn't agree more.

On the streets :

Demo outside the Home Office - a joyous occasion for solidarity, protest, friendship and laughter, and some excellent chanting (ably led by Lee )  :

'I love my foreign spouse... ' Facebook group has more photos :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/139807999382936/


The parliamentary session in the evening and the launch of the JCWI/BritCits adult dependant relatives report, chaired by Sarah Teather MP :

'You can't see the carpet' :
https://twitter.com/JCWInews/status/486932778643386368

Many great contributions, including linking the adult dependant relative issues with the rights of children. 

'Harsh, Unjust, Unnecessary' : Adult Dependant Relative Report, by JCWI with BritCits, launched 9th July 2014 :
http://www.scribd.com/doc/233262294/Adr-Report

Please read this detailed and moving report!

'I don’t want to leave my country. I will miss my home I will miss my friends and school. I want to live in my country with my whole family and friends. I really really don’t want to go to any other country. It doesn’t feel nice and I don’t want to do it.'

— British child, 7 years old

JCWI : Immigration restrictions condemn elderly parents to lonely twilight years :
http://www.jcwi.org.uk/blog/2014/07/09/immigration-restrictions-condemn-elderly-parents-lonely-twilight-years

In particular : Shadow Immigration Minister David Hanson committed to reviewing the family immigration rules should Labour win office. This follows on from the Liberal Democrats' endorsing a similar position a couple of months ago (see : http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/welcome-news-liberal-democrats-endorse.html ). This is a most welcome statement and one we will certainly follow up on.

Our blogs on last year's day of action :
http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/a%20very%20good%20day

Immigration Restrictions Condemn Elderly Parents to Lonely Twilight years. - See more at: http://jcwi.org.uk/blog/2014/07/09/immigration-restrictions-condemn-elderly-parents-lonely-twilight-years#sthash.La2MZVi2.dpuf

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And finally...

Self-righting Fukushima dolls on display at U.K. Parliament

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/07/08/national/self-righting-fukushima-dolls-display-u-k-parliament/

 'Sixty-six traditional tumble dolls from Fukushima Prefecture are on display inside Britain’s Houses of Parliament, several of them the work of celebrity designers.

'The event was organized by a group of Fukushima expatriates living in Britain.

'They say the “okiagari-koboshi” dolls, which right themselves when tipped over, demonstrate the fortitude of the Fukushima people and illustrate Japan’s efforts to rebuild from the devastation of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.'

Spotted while passing through Parliament on the day of action. A nice reminder of (adopted) 'home' for your correspondent.

 

'I get knocked down, then I get up again' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDkVQvhZx04