On 9th July, an Alliance of faith, refugee and citizen groups came together for a ‘walk of justice’ in solidarity with many of those seeking asylum on Teesside. Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans, Buddhists were well represented. Over 50 people made the symbolic walk from North Ormesby to Stockton Police Station.

A requirement for many seeking asylum is that they should report to the Border Agency – weekly, monthly or three monthly. At present, the only place they can do this is at Stockton Police Station on a Wednesday or Thursday – regardless of where they live on Teesside. These people receive no travel expenses and for some this can mean a 12 mile round trip. Obviously, this produces hardship – some have to walk, some borrow money or beg, some use a proportion of their small weekly allowance to fund the journey.

The focus for the walk was to bring this to public attention and to request a meeting with the UK Border Agency’s Director in the North East – Mr Jeremy Oppenheim. During the walk, phone calls were made to his office and in an unexpected personal phone call to the marchers, Mr Oppenheim offered to shift existing diary commitments to deal with the issue. This was greeted with a chorus of cheering from the group who had by this time reached Stockton Police Station.

During the march, which was organised by Tees Valley Citizens for Sanctuary, stories were shared and new friendships formed. There was much media interest along with opportunities to talk on local radio and to journalists who were keen to receive follow up from the future meeting. We were obviously delighted that our first local action was so effective. No-one should be asked to walk so far when there are so many other police stations nearby in Middlesbrough. Working with Mr Oppenheim, we now have the opportunity to consign this injustice to the dustbin of history.

Barbara Hungin