Brixton Barnardo's store attack was protest against its involvement in detention centre, says group

10 Apr 2013 News

Protest group Informal Anarchist Federation has claimed responsibility for smashing the window of a Barnardo’s charity shop in Brixton during a party to celebrate Margaret Thatcher’s death, saying it was in protest at the charity’s involvement in a detention centre for migrants.

Protest group Informal Anarchist Federation has claimed responsibility for smashing the window of a Barnardo’s charity shop in Brixton during a party to celebrate Margaret Thatcher’s death, saying it was in protest at the charity’s involvement in a detention centre for migrants.

On Monday evening, a Barnardo’s shop in Brixton had its window smashed as crowds gathered to celebrate the death of Baroness Thatcher. The store has now reopened after a brief closure and is currently part of a police investigation.

Late yesterday, protest group Informal Anarchist Federation, claimed responsibility for the crime on website Indymedia UK, saying Barnardo’s was targeted for its involvement in Cedars detention centre in Croydon.

The statement said: "On the celebration of Thatcher's death, we smashed a window of Barnardo's 'charity shop' in Brixton using a concrete slab from a bin on the street. And it was easy. We would of (sic) done more if it weren't for self-proclaimed pacifists violently attempting to arrest us.

“This action was in solidarity with all migrants detained, deported and struggling to cross borders. Barnardo's was targeted because they fund and administrate Cedars detention centre in Croydon. They detain children, families and individuals who merely seek freedom from poverty, persecution, murder, rape and other oppression.”

A Barnardo’s spokeswoman said that the charity did not run the detention centre in Cedars or make any decisions on granting or removing asylum.

“Barnardo’s simply provides welfare and social work services there,” she said. “We believe every family and child should be treated with dignity and respect and be able to access high-quality support.”

Protests against Barnardo's work at Cedars have been happening since last year through a group dubbed Barnardo's Out. Actions include occupying Barnardo's charity shops and telephoning its offices.

Cedars is a detention centre for failed asylum seeking families who have refused to leave the UK voluntarily.