ORGANISERS of an Oxford demonstration for the 'Stansted 15' say around 70 people braved the rain to show solidarity on Tuesday night.

The arrested group - including Oxford's May MacKeith and Oxford Brookes graduate Jyotsna Ram - stopped a plane set to deport migrants from taking off and have since been charged with terrorism offences. They could now face life imprisonment in jail, when they are sentenced in February.

On Tuesday, which was International Migrants Day, groups including Oxford Stand Up To Racism, Momentum and Oxford City of Sanctuary gathered in Oxford to protest the ruling.

Liz Peretz, the step-mother of May MacKeith and a prominent Oxford activist against Campsfield detention centre, said: "It was a tremendous cross community event with the Imam from the mosque there and people from Close Campsfield.

"We had a wonderful pink aeroplane prop saying people shouldn't be deported."

Ian McKendrick, from Oxford Stand Up To Racism, added: "Everyone who came out had a sinking feeling that the weather would put everyone off but it was great that so many came out. 

"The actions of the Stansted 15 have shone a spotlight on the government's hostile environment policy. The fact that 11 people who were set to be deported have now been allowed to stay is testament to their actions.

"It's absolutely appalling that the activists have been charged under terrorism offences and can only be seen as a way to stifle dissent."