880 people drowned in 1 week in the seas around Europe .. that’s the equivalent 3 medium sized primary schools full of children….The tragedy is reported on the front page of every newspaper, the horror and waste of lives is talked about in pubs and on buses – everyone shocked and stunned, we have 2 min silence to remember the dead .. Oh no hang on …my mistake.. .. that didn’t happen, only virtual silence
Its hard to imagine how we will feel about this humanitarian disaster in 20 years or so, with the enormous benefit of hindsight. I have a feeling the dehumanisation of such huge groups of people to promote ‘divide and rule’ by our Governments and Media may be likened to Nazi propaganda (there is no room, we cant afford them, they want our money/jobs/benefits/houses, they want to change our religion, they will harm our children / women,.. etc etc). I find this idea very hard to write or express, and I am aware that I may lose some readers at the very point. But it is the reality of this situation.
People are fleeing; bombings, torture, rape, murder, hunger, being forced to fight for one side or the other, the list goes on.. Nobody disputes this (I dont think so anyway) .. as its well documented and we have seen the human scars and watched the air strikes. So, facing these traumas anyone would flee their country to look for safety.
If this were you, you would imagine that when you tell your horrific story – at the first safe place you reach, people would be shocked and appalled .. they would hold you close and tell you not to worry any more, that you and your children are safe, … that no human should have to go through what you and your family have.. that they would help you to start a new life. You would cry with relief and thank them for your kindness, promise that somehow you would work hard to pay them back ..
We all know now that this doesn’t happen.. the relief of fleeing one form of torture is simply replaced with another form of torture… perilous journeys by sea, dangerous smugglers, living in tiny tents with no access to running water for months on end, wind, rain, scabies, head lice, police in riot gear and face masks, being forcibly moved to another unsuitable camp site, not knowing, despair, waiting, children bored, unable to provide for your family, no chance to work, no school, (some of these children have not been to school for months/ years), no activities, relying on charity, being unsure of your rights, unsure of your future…
The Government and EU cannot get away with sitting on their hands and using delaying tactics .. we need safe passage for refugees, we need to provide assistance with relocation in their new country of residence .. This is more important than political careers, popularity or readership statistics. OK it may cost some money in the first couple of years, but after this, these amazing, intelligent, resourceful people will more than pay back what has been spent to give them a chance. They would be an asset to any country.
So .. this just cant go on ..the thought of a summer even worse than last summer, with more drownings and intense suffering is just too much to bear, but at the moment it looks likely.. I urge you to; write to your MP (or visit their surgery), speak out, attend demonstrations, contribute to collections, show solidarity, speak up, do not be divided – the world is a small place – we are them and they are us.
Pressure the UK government to let refugees in… Convoy to Calais on June 18th, a mass mobilisation of vehicles assembling in Whitehall to drive to Calais to expose the government’s lack of action .
worldwide tribe 12 June EC2Y 8 London, United Kingdom
(latest radio interview link .. getting out the human story .. with some sewage treatment discussions also)
Radio interview – sewage treatment and volunteering (from 15 min into programme)
Solidarity for refugees 