MORE than 50 pro-refugee activists gathered at the Campsfield site in Killington, Oxfordshire, on Saturday to demonstrate against plans to reopen an immigration removal centre.

Protesters chanted: “No human is illegal, keep Campsfield closed;” “community forever, Campsfield never” and “refugees welcome here.”

They listened to speeches and messages from representatives of student, anti-racist, religious and medical organisations, local charities, trade unions, and local councillors.

The site closed in 2018 but is due to reopen this year with increased capacity for 400 beds.

The demonstration was called by the Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed and Oxford Student Action for Refugees.

One of the organisers, Bill MacKeith, said no planning application had been received for new buildings at the site. He called for fewer and shorter detentions under immigration law with more community-based alternatives.

The Home Office has claimed the accommodation will be “modern, decent and secure” and that detainees would be treated with “dignity and respect.”