FOTBOT to host third Chagos Islands Call to Action event in Manchester

Friends of the British Overseas Territories (FOTBOT) will hold their third Chagos Islands: ‘Call to Action’ event in Manchester. This event comes amid the UK Government’s decision to proceed with the deal to cede the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and sideline the voices of the Chagossian community

Held on Saturday 26th April 2025 from 6:30PM - 9:00PM, the event will feature both Chagossian and political speakers. The event will be held at Trinity Sports Centre (M15 6HP). Manchester features the second largest Chagossian community in the UK.

James Lunn, Chief Executive of FOTBOT said:

"We are holding our third Call to Action rally in firm solidarity with the Chagossian community - to demand that their voices are finally heard, their rights respected, and their fight for justice recognised.”

"FOTBOT will relentlessly oppose this disgraceful deal at every stage. We will continue to stand with the Chagossian community to make sure this deal is scrapped completely, and that the money is redirected to where it actually belongs - Chagossian welfare and facilitating their right to return.”

You can sign up to attend the event by clicking here.

Note to editors:

FOTBOT has held two previous Call to Action events in support of the Chagossian community. The first united over 600 Chagossians in Hackney on the 12th November 2024, and the second brought members of the community to the House of Commons on the 29th January 2025. We expect around 400 Chagossians in attendance at our Manchester event.

FOTBOT Spokespeople are available for broadcast and commentary. Please contact Daniel Toft at daniel.toft@fotbot.org.

Media are invited to cover the rally. Please reply to this email to RSVP.