Haringey community supports Marcus Decker ahead of appeal

The climate activist has been served a deportation order – which he will appeal tomorrow at the Royal Courts of Justice, reports Miriam Balanescu

Haringey community groups are racing to raise support for Tottenham local Marcus Decker, who has been served a deportation order with an opportunity to appeal the decision this week.

Marcus Decker, a German citizen, was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after a peaceful climate protest in which he scaled the Queen Elizabeth II bridge and released a Just Stop Oil banner.

On Monday, 26th June, Marcus was served a deportation order while in prison. By UK law, if a prison sentence is over one year, non-British citizens are automatically served a deportation order. (While EU status previously offered protection against this, since the Brexit vote this law now applies to all non-British citizens.)

Marcus will appeal against the order at a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice tomorrow (26th July). Protesters are gathering between 9am-10.30pm outside the courts.

Marcus’ partner Holly launched a petition last month to help appeal the decision, which has now been signed by 97,216 people.

Meanwhile, community groups in Haringey, steered by Haringey Community Action Network, have addressed a letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

The letter, signed by Acorn Haringey, Day-Mer, Haringey Tree Protectors, Save the Warehouses, Haringey Welcome, Haringey Stand Up to Racism, Haringey Right to Food, and multiple other groups, reads: ‘Individually and collectively, we are writing to you to affirm our support and solidarity with Haringey resident Marcus Decker […]

“We believe the unjustified lengths of the prison sentences are a clear attempt to intimidate and stop people protesting […]

“Marcus has created a life in the UK. He lives with his long-term partner and two children in Tottenham, who are now devastated and living under the threat of their family being torn apart.”

Court proceedings will begin tomorrow.

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.