Friends of Ernesto Campaign: Newsletter No 3

Re-launch of Friends Of Ernesto Campaign

Click 'read more' to read the newsletter; click here for background to the campaign.

We have been waiting to find out the date of the deportation hearing, as the date is now imminent we will be releasing it to you all in two weeks time for maximum effect and to allow everyone time to get ready to start campaigning again.

Please pass on this newsletter to at least 10 people as soon as you receive it, we have a few weeks to make as much of an impact as possible.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has been working hard in making your voices heard and supporting our campaign, by doing so you have achieved in lobbying your MP’s to sign the EDM 2169, we now have a total of 56 MP’s. Full list of MP’s names posted on the website.

Diane Abbot MP has received hundreds of emails/letters of support for Ernesto’s case, and we know that some of you have written directly to the Home Secretary John Reid and to Secretary of State for Immigration. If you have received a letter in return could you please send it to us, again in two weeks time when we release the date of the hearing we will post a PO Box number for you to send your reply.

We have received many messages of support from organisations such as Liberty, Praxis, Scottish NUM, Lothian Branch of The Royal College of Nursing, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and many more, if you are part of a union or organisation you too can lodge your support. Your voice is as strong as anyone else so use it!

Fundraising Event - London

We are re-launching the campaign with a fundraising event in London, this night has been organised thanks to the efforts of all the performers, security, designers, printers and the venue who have all given their services for free. All the money raised will go to Ernesto’s legal fund.

Howie B
Electronic Elvis – Matt Skylab & Paul Fryer - LIVE
The Alabama 3 Soundsystem – Rev D Wayne & Larry Love
Ant The Rant
Celine Hispiche
Big Andy – Nudge Records
Joi Soundsystem
Cultural Virus – compere

Thursday 17th August – 7-12 midnight - £8
Gramaphone Bar & Restaurant
60-62 Commercial Street
London
E1 6LT

Info – 020 7377 5332

Nearest tube – Aldgate East

Legal Fund

Thank you to everyone who has donated or bought a print, prints will be sent out this week.

We have raised £1,430.65 so far and need to raise at least £8,000, this will cover the legal expenses up to the deportation hearing.

Your Support – What You Can Do

• Donate or ask your friends to

• Attend the event in London
• Buy a print please.
• Get ready to start campaigning in two weeks time
• Pass this newsletter on to 10 people
• Ask your union / branch or organisation to support the campaign, ask them to write a statement which we can post on the website, we need as many as possible to show the extent and strength of the support
• Look out for the Newsletter No 4 with details of how to join the campaign in keeping Ernesto and our family together and lodge your support against this legislation and how it is implemented.
• Register on the Friends of Ernesto website and ask your friends to, this way you can all receive regular updates as the campaign gathers pace.