Day of protest called in defence of refugees

Activists have called a protest in London on Saturday 12 September in defence of refugees.

The action follows months of misery for hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled war-torn countries in the hope of finding a better life.

Many of the refugees trying to get into Europe are from Syria. Thousands have died in the process because European governments refuse to let them in.

Many politicians have called the situation a “crisis” – not because of what refugees are suffering but because they don’t want to help. But lots of ordinary people have rallied to help refugees and protested to demand their governments give them refuge.

The demonstration in London will be part of a national day of action with the message, “Refugees are welcome here”. It was called by Stand Up To Racism, Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (Barac), the Stop the War Coalition and the Migrant Rights Network.

Weyman Bennett is joint national secretary of Stand Up To Racism. He told Socialist Worker, “Children should not be washing up dead on the shores of the Mediterranean.

“People who are losing their lives can be saved. We need to have a mass demonstration to demand our government allows people to have their rightful place of safety and asylum.

“Every trade unionist, socialist and activist young and old should demonstrate to oppose the viciousness of David Cameron’s Britain. Now’s the time to act.”