Capitalist politicians and commentators, feigning sympathy for the 58 who died, have used the case to escalate their campaign to restrict the rights of immigrants--all in the name of cracking down on traffickers of human beings. Their goal is not to keep these workers out of the country but to maintain their status as second-class citizens who can be intimidated and superexploited, while serving as scapegoats for the problems created by capitalism itself.

Under the Asylum and Immigration Act adopted last November, refugees awaiting decision on asylum status are barred from employment or social security payments, and are given vouchers and a small amount of cash, set at a level 30 percent below the official poverty level. They can be "dispersed" to any city at the discretion of government officials. Refusal to go there means loss of all support. Home Secretary Jack Straw has proposed a measure that would require people to apply for political asylum in the country they are fleeing.

A contingent marching with the Colombian Refugee Association chanted, "Refugees have the right, here to stay, here to fight." Multicolored banners from other immigrant organizations took up the demand for the right to asylum for refugees from countries such as Yugoslavia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Sudan. Others demanded the closure of detention centers and an end to deportations and imprisonment without charge of immigrants waiting to appeal deportation orders.

Days before the demonstration, the government confirmed its intention to deport all remaining Kosovar refugees, by force if necessary. Some 4,500 Kosova Albanians came to Britain a year ago as part of a United Nations evacuation program that British officials now declare unnecessary.

Fifteen-year-old Ivan Balaz carried a banner in support of the campaign to defend Roma, or gypsies. His family fled the Czech Republic two years ago after attacks by racists. "We should be allowed to stay," he said. Of the 5,000 Romany asylum seekers in the United Kingdom, only three have been granted the right to stay.

Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, a member of the Sudan Women's Union, marched with a group of immigrants from that African nation. She said, "There are tens of thousands of Sudanese in Britain and few have been given refugee status." Referring to British colonial control over Sudan before that country's independence, she added, "We didn't want the British there--we should be able to run our own country. Now that we've come for a share of what's ours, they're trying to send us away."

A busload from Birmingham marched behind a banner declaring, "Justice for the Jhumat Family." Kundan lal Jhumat said, "We called off a demonstration in Birmingham advertised for today. We encouraged everyone to come to London instead to join this march. I believe we're much stronger when we're together as one voice."

Jhumat's brother appears in court August 14 charged with affray by the authorities. This is a retrial after a previous jury failed to reach a verdict. Jhumat defended family members whose market stall was attacked by a racist gang last year. After eight months of the defense campaign, the police charged one of the racists, who was then given a conditional discharge. The family is pushing for the charges against Jhumat to be dropped and for the police to be charged with malicious prosecution.

Many marched under trade union banners, mostly from public service and teaching unions. Several groups of college students organized delegations.

Celia Pugh is an airport worker and member of the Transport and General Workers' Union. Rose Knight, a member of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, contributed to this article.  
 
 
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