Last September, the image of three year old Alan Kurdi’s body on a Turkish beach horrified the world.
100,000 of us marched in London in response to tell our government that we want to welcome refugees in the UK, and to stop the drowning.
Since then, thousands more terrified and desperate refugees, including hundreds of children, have lost their lives trying to reach safety in Europe.
This September, world leaders will meet to discuss the refugee crisis at two crucial summits. This is the biggest opportunity of 2016 to show our Government and the world that Britain is ready to welcome more refugees.
That’s why we’ll be taking to London’s streets once again this September. We want to send a strong #RefugeesWelcome message to our Government.
Will you join us?
The Refugee Council is proudly standing alongside the UK’s other leading refugee and human rights charities, as well as faith leaders, to call on the public to show their support for refugees.
Many British people have already responded to the tragedy they see unfolding on their doorstep with extraordinary displays of humanity and generosity.
They’ve been moved to act after seeing many thousands trapped in camps in Greece without running water or baby formula; thousands of people drowning in the Mediterranean as refugees seek increasingly dangerous routes to safety since the closing of borders and the sea route from Turkey; the continuing misery of the camp in Calais; the injustices and inefficiencies of Britain’s own asylum system.
80% of Britons want our government to do more to help. Polls show that 1 in 4 of us would welcome a refugee in our own home.
We want to tell the government that we are waiting to help. The UK should be leading the way and working with other states to give refugees safe, legal routes to asylum, ending the trade in people smuggling.
Since the referendum campaign and vote, divisive rhetoric has been ever more prevalent from a small but vocal minority.
We must respond by coming together and demonstrating our desire to welcome refugees.
Last year, in the week following demonstrations across the country, the Government agreed to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees.
Public pressure makes a difference.
That’s why it’s vital that you join us on 17 September and encourage your friends to do the same. The march will set off from London’s Park Lane and end up in Parliament Square.
We must make our voices heard. Refugees are welcome here.
