Don’t Let Them Drown – Refugees welcome
Emergency Solidarity Protest
Saturday 27 November – 2PM – Whitehall, opposite Downing St
– Details here https://www.facebook.com/events/577170810009107
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Lowkey, rapper
Kevin Courtney, National Education Union (NEU) General Secretary
Lara Bishop, Care4Calais Hotel lead volunteer
Dave Landau, Jewish Socialist Group
Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Weyman Bennett & Sabby Dhalu co convenors Stand Up To Racism
Shabbir Lakha, Stop The War Coalition
Status Now 4 All
Anti racists, refugee and human rights campaigners are set to protest opposite Downing Street this Saturday 27 November from 2PM in response to the tragic loss of life in the English Channel today.
Campaigners argue that tragedies such as today are a direct result of the British Government refusing to allow safe and legal routes for refugees, a situation which will be made worse by the Nationality and Borders bill, said by the UNHCR to “undermine, not promote, the Government’s stated goal of improving protection for those at risk of persecution.”
The protest, called by Stand Up To Racism and Care4Calais, will call for the scrapping of the Nationalities & Borders bill and the rapid explansion of safe and legal routes for refugees to enter Britain and claim asylum.
Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor said:
“Denying those fleeing war and persecution a legal and safe route into the country when most can only claim asylum from inside Britain is a recipe for tragedy. This horrific loss of life could have been avoided if the British Government allowed safe passage for refugees. The situation will worsen if the Nationality and Borders Bill becomes law.
“The only way for further tragedies to be avoided is for the Government to reverse its racist refugee policy, act to provide safe passage and scrap the Nationality and Borders Bill.”
Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism co convenor, said:
“These tragic deaths are a chilling reminder of what the governments hostile environment for refugees is about. Priti Patel and Boris Johnson have blood on their hands. Those fleeing war, the effects of climate change and poverty must have safe passage”
Mohammed Kozbar, chairperson Finsbury Park Mosque & Muslim Association of Britain, said:
“We all been shocked by this horrific incident; this is an alarm call for all of us to do whatever we can to help these desperate people who risk their lives to start a decent life away from war and insecurity.”
Press contacts will also be available from 1pm on Saturday opposite Downing Street.
For further quotes & information:
Notes:
1) As well as the Downing St Protest, emergency events will be taking place across the country. A list can be found at www.facebook.com/StandUTR/events