Mike Taylor Found Guilty of Defending Asylum Seekers

     Mike Taylor was arrested on August 3rd last year while leafleting passengers at Heathrow Airport to try to stop the deportation of Amanj Gafor, an Iraqi-Kurdish asylum seeker. The protesters from Bristol and London succeeded in forcing the airline not to carry Amanj. Delaying the deportation but eventually Amanj was removed to Germany by boat. He is now in Nuremberg, suffering from depression and mental illness.

     Mike was charged with breaking airport bye-laws that prohibit ‘demonstrations’ on airport property. His defence was that the bye-laws must be interpreted in the light of the Human Rights Act, which gives comprehensive and explicit protection to the right to demonstrate. His case was heard at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday 17th April where supporters packed into the small courtroom to hear the trial. Outside there was a sea of trade union and asylum rights banners and speeches and messages of support were heard.

     The trial was a farce and a complete travesty of justice. Though there were three magistrates sitting on the bench. Mike was effectively tried by the clerk of the court. These pipsqueaks are a law unto themselves arrogant and self opinionated. Despite many challenges from Mike's solicitor about the abuse of due process by the clerk of the court. Mike was found guilty and given a conditional discharge.

     Mike made it clear to the bench he did not nor never will accept their verdict and will appeal

     With the government increasingly using charter flights to carry out mass deportations, protests at airports will become increasingly important. Mike Taylor’s case therefore takes on an added importance for all supporters of immigration and asylum justice.

     More information from Bristol Campaign to Defend Asylum Seekers BDASC, Box 41, 82 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB.