Bulgaria: Report from Protest in front of the Detention Center

Sofia, Bulgaria - On March 20, 2010 to the "Home for the temporary accommodation of foreigners" in the quarter Busmanci from 11 am to 13 pm held a peaceful protest rally against arbitrariness and repression against immigrants and in defense of their human rights.

Gathered about 40 people to protest against this antihumanno place for the immediate release of people in general and against the state policy against people detained there. The protest was organized by the Civil Initiative Committee and the Federation of Anarchists in Bulgaria. Anarohsaprotiva attended by activists, lawyers, friends of the detainees at the center, bloggers, and citizens.

Despite good weather and sent press releases - the place had a TV and 2 journalists. None cameraman nor any other journalists. However, police were in place, ie before the high walls of prison long before the protesters. Video-duty cop was also on his post. People in prison have been informed of protests and even in the kind of people stood in the first bars. Dozens of hands with Victory sign to pass through the narrow bars. Many of the people inside were tied hands and mouths with rags, probably torn sheets. Many photos showed through the bars of their children. Provesiha handmade banner with the inscription Busmantzi - Freedom;. Throughout chanting - Guantanamo,Freedom, Human Rights we want Freedom ... attempts to chanting in Bulgarian.

By the protesters was distributing leaflet on the problem and the newspaper "Free Thought". Leaflet was read during the megaphone, for a short talk and a former prisoner at center. Chants were in Bulgarian and English slogans such as "There's no Illegal people," "Papers for All or No Papers at All!" The freedom of movement is everybody's right, we are here and we will fight, "Busmanci - Guantanamo", "No borders, no nations stop deportation" and others.

It was a little parade down the street to jail. Police did not intervene, and after half an hour the protesters withdrew, arguing before the high closed that "we will be back, this is only the beginning. People long waved through the bars and shouting "Thank you" while the group away.

This was the first protest in Bulgaria for the rights of immigrants and refugees ever....

Pictures here:
http://bulgaria.indymedia.org/article/36611