Stand up to Racism are holding a Refugees Welcome Here demonstration this Saturday the 17th of October in Leeds city centre.

It follows on from a successful rally on the 12th of September where 500 people took to the streets of Leeds to raise awareness of the ongoing refugee crisis currently occurring throughout Europe.

This weekend’s rally is to show refugees that they are welcome here in Britain, whilst simultaneously raising awareness of the thousands of refugees still risking their lives attempting to escape poverty, war and persecution.

Already over 2500 men women and children have drowned as they attempt to reach safety in Europe. Although most of them are from Syria there are also many from Kovoso, Nigeria and Afghanistan. The demonstration also marks the 7th International Day of Hope and Remembrance for those affected by hate crime and the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and Discrimination, which raises awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution worldwide.

As well as there being a range of speakers in attendance, the event will also coincide with a large convoy to Calais organised by Stand Up to Racism, in which food and clothing donations will be brought down to those currently camped out at the border of France.

Spokesman and organiser Remi Salisbury commented “We’ve called the rally to show our great dissatisfaction with David Cameron’s deeply inadequate response to the refugee and migrant crisis.” He also added “we have an obligation to take far more asylum seekers than Cameron has proposed, and we should simultaneously help to work towards a peaceful resolution in Syria.” 

For those who want to get involved the demonstration will be meeting outside Leeds City Museum at 3pm on Saturday (17th October). Demonstrators are encouraged to bring banners and signs to help raise further awareness of the campaign.

Katy Frodsham

Image property of www.citizensuk.org