Protesters call into question the 'dark side' of Canada's immigration system at Winnipeg rally

Around 50 people wereat the Manitoba Legislative building on Thursday evening, signs in hand, protesting indefinite immigrant detention in Canada.

Specifically, they say they werestanding in solidarity with 50 immigration detainees at two Ontario prisons, who went ona hunger strike more than two weeks agoto protest Canada's policy.

• Immigration detainees now on Day 14 of hunger strike in Ontario

"I'm a refugee myself so this hits close to home," said Hazim Ismail, who was born in Malaysia and originallyarrived in Winnipeg as an international student.

In April,Ismail's claim for refugee status was accepted. A gay man, hefeared for his life in his home country, wherehomosexuality is punishable by law.

• Gay, atheist student from Malaysia has refugee claim accepted

On Thursday, Ismailsaid refugees around Canada feel connected to the immigration detainees in Ontario. People at the rally were told theycould writepostcards addressed to the prisonsto let those who are there, starving themselves,know they aren't forgotten.

The rally wasalso planned forcommunity memberswho need to heal, Ismailsaid.

"It provides a channel for you to direct all the hurt, all the questions, confusion, anger."

'The darker side of Canada's immigration system'

Mitchell VanIneveldhelped Ismail organize the rally. He said his participation reflects his feelings toward what he describes as a dark, unreported side of Canada's immigration system.

"We see a lot of successes of our immigration system The resettlement of Syrian refugees gets a lot of publicity," he said.

"We also need to see the failures That looks like people locked up in maximum security prisons, held alongside convicted criminals with no charge and no guarantee they will be released in a timely manner."

VanIneveld saidthegroup wants to meet with Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale.

Those on the hunger strike are also demandingthe federalgovernment place a limit on the length of time they can be held in detention.