Activists
from various anti-G4S campaigns are coming together for a UK-wide
gathering in Sheffield on Saturday 6th
October. Individuals and campaign groups are invited to attend to
share, network, strategise and plan how to build an even more
effective Stop G4S campaign. The gathering is open to all who oppose
G4S and want to work with others to Stop G4S from taking over public
services for private profit while violating human rights.
Despite
its track record of complicity in human rights abuses in the UK and
abroad, G4S is being handed control of public services - everything
from policing to “asylum markets” to the welfare system. Even
after the Olympics débâcle, G4S looks
set to take over even more control of our communities.
Campaigns
have begun to highlight the appalling record of G4S and to work to
prevent it from putting profit before human rights and dignity. From
local campaigns to pressure G4S as it cuts corners, to demonstrations
targeting the company’s AGM and headquarters, we’re beginning to
damage the G4S brand.
The
gathering will launch the UK 'StopG4S' campaign coalition, bringing
together grassroots campaigns, networks and organisations with the
aim of providing support, resources, guidance and skill-sharing. This
coalition will be inclusive and non-hierarchical.
Please
respond to: stop-g4s@riseup.net
to reserve a place, find out more or to request a speaker to attend a
meeting to discuss campaign plans. If you or your organisation (if
you have one) wish to endorse this call please let us know. Facebook
event
Reasonable
travel costs may be paid to those unable to fund themselves.
Overnight accommodation will be provided by local activists.
The
many reasons to Stop G4S:
G4S
and Public Contracts:
- G4S has recently been awarded £210million of public money to provide housing services to asylum seekers in Yorkshire, Humberside, Midlands and the North East .
- With profit its only motive in what it calls “asylum markets”, it’s expected that over 1000 asylum seekers will be uprooted from their communities to live in slum housing.
- G4S profits from the privatisation of policing, courts & prisons
- Workfare: G4S profits from forcing the unemployed to do unpaid work or risk having benefits cut.
- G4S won the contract to provide security for the Olympics and failed to deliver on time but still insists on receiving payment.
Human
Rights Abuses:
- Jimmy Mubenga, an Angolan asylum seeker died, following restraint by G4S employees. The DPP recently ruled that no prosecution was necessary.
- In 2011 G4S Australia admitted liability and was fined for the death of Warburton Elder Mr Ward.
- It profits from imprisoning refugees while it abuses families and children in their 'care'.
G4S
and Israel’s occupation of Palestine:
- G4S provides equipment and services to Israeli prisons in which Palestinian prisoners, including child prisoners, are illegally held and tortured.
- G4S supplies equipment and services to Israel’s illegal settlements and Wall.
- Palestinian civil society has called for action to hold G4S to account for its role in profiting from the detention of Palestinian political prisoners, 1,600 of whom recently held a mass hunger strike.
Selection
of actions taken so far:
- Local campaigns in cities and campuses across the UK
- G4S headquarters rooftop occupation.
- Demonstrations in Birmingham, Sheffield, London and beyond
- Successfully pressuring companies to drop their ties with G4S
- Publishing detailed analysis online (see http://bit.ly/R9JbkB, http://bit.ly/PRhYMi, http://bit.ly/Kz0Uhn)
Endorsed
by:
