(Sign the petition now! http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/theresa-may-home-office-stop-the-deportation-of-trenton-oldfield)
Trenton Oldfield, who disrupted last years Oxbridge boat race in protest at inequality and austerity, is facing deportation. Having already served a jail sentence, the government are now preparing to deport him claiming he is “undesirable, has unacceptable associations and could be considered a threat to national security”.
This attack is consistent with the ongoing efforts to deter protest by making examples of those who are prepared to stand up to the devastating impact of austerity on many here and around the world.
We have about 8 weeks to stop this and are calling on everyone to do what they can to support the campaign to stop this.
For more information and coverage of the case see the links at the bottom of this piece.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Circulate the petition as widely as possible (http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/theresa-may-home-office-stop-the-deportation-of-trenton-oldfield)
2. Write to the home secretary Theresa May at mayt@parliament.uk calling for this threat to deport Trenton be removed. Copy info@defendtherighttoprotest.org
3. Pass the emergency motion in your union branch (see>>>)
4. Invite Trenton in to speak at any up and coming anti-cuts/ union events. (email info@defendtherighttoprotest.org)
4. Make a donation to defend the right to protest
5. Latest news about Trenton’s case:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/19/boat-race-protest-class-war
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/boat-raceprotester-trenton-oldfield-brands-plans-to-deport-him-as-his-wife-waits-to-give-birth-extremist-8670311.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/23/trenton-oldfield_n_3487085.html
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/theresa-may-home-secretary-stop-politically-victimising-trenton-oldfield-and-grant-spousal-visa
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/boat-race-protester-trenton-oldfield-1986370
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23025311
http://metro.co.uk/2013/06/24/boat-race-protester-trenton-oldfield-to-be-deported-3853194/
What he did was pretty dangerous and reckless, but how can it warrant deportation? He poses no real threat to society. We have rapists, murderers, war criminals and terrorists living in the UK because their ‘right to family life’ prevents them from being deported. I know who I’d rather have living next door.
This is an injustice, whatever happened to the right to protest? Rich idiots and their stupid boats.
Difficult one. Firstly he did raise awareness of a the huge eltism and class divide existing and developing in this country. On the other hand many, many poeple worked hard to perform in and make the boat race happen. But deportation is ridiculous for this, as is a prison sentence. if people don’t realise it, then they should, the police reform act etc. etc have destroyed any notion of true freedom in this country. We are all potential terrorists now…..if you don’t agree with the system you sure as hell better just accept it and not try to do anything about it lol…the consequences can be dire for thinking outside of the norm…