The threatened deportation of a Sierra Leonian man prompted an hour long programme about asylum on BBC Radio Sheffield. Including interviews with City of Sanctuary, ASSIST and other groups and individuals that support people seeking sanctuary, the only opposition came in the form of texts that presenter Toby Foster described as just ‘racist’. Despite the producers’ efforts, none of those sending negative messages were prepared to come on air to explain their views.
As another caller pointed out, opponents of asylum usually speak from a position of ignorance. Well, refusing to engage in debate suggests they may also realise they’re on dodgy ground. Let’s not forget though that those people may be feeling insecure for other reasons such as poverty and unemployment and those of us trying to raise the level of the asylum debate need to take that into account as well.
In an encouraging post script to the broadcast, news came through that the planned deportation had been cancelled – that’ll be another bit of public money wasted on all the preparation, security, detention, paperwork etc.