UK unites to show that refugees are welcome

Yesterday was a day we won’t soon forget. Up and down the country in 15 different locations, from Orkney down to Bristol, hundreds of people came together for a day of action and solidarity. Together we said it loud and clear: refugees are welcome here.

We were particularly proud to see our volunteer Tia Bush speak at the demonstrations at Finsbury Park and Tower Hamlets. Tia helped us in Calais from February to September, throughout the peak of the coronavirus outbreak and when she was just 17, because she could see how much refugees needed the extra help.

“We’re now in a situation where refugees are arriving in the UK to be beaten up on our beaches and bullied in our hotels,” said Tia yesterday. “These are the stories of people I met in Calais. People who can barely stay warm at night and keep a shelter over their heads.”

We were also really moved to watch our friend Kenana address to the crowd in London. We met him in Calais and we’re so proud of how much he’s achieved since then. Watch him speak below.

Thank you to our friends at Stand Up To Racism for organising this energising day of action, backed by supporters like Diane Abbott, Lord Alf Dubs and Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP. Together we can make a difference.