Heartwarming shows of refugee support from Week of Action

Take a look at some of the most creative and heartwarming shows of refugee support by grassroots groups

DaleGillett:GoodCauseComms

Last week was the Week of Action. A week in which organisations and groups, up and down the country, gathered to publicly showcase their support for refugees. It culminated in a national ‘Day of Action’ on Wednesday 20 October, the day the majority of events happened and coincided with the #RefugeesWelcome rally held in London’s Parliament Square.

From powerful signs at rallies to drawings in the sand on beaches, there were many events featuring orange hearts – the global symbol of support for people fleeing violence or persecution that was popularised by the Together With Refugees campaign.

There were large rallies in the UK’s urban centres such as London and Glasgow. Simultaneously, grassroots organisations and community groups showcased orange hearts in creative and visually stunning ways.

Here are some of the highlights.

A giant orange heart on Brighton Beach

Hundreds of people sporting orange, in Brighton, formed a giant orange heart on the city’s famous pebbled beach. It was organised by Sanctuary on the Sea, Sussex Student Action for Refugees and Refugee Support Europe.

A giant orange heart on a beach in Tyneside

Meanwhile, our friends at Refugee Action, Curious Monkey, WERS West End Refugee Service, in the North East of England, formed a giant heart on King Edward’s Bay in Tyneside. They etched ‘Together With Refugees’ in giant lettering on the sand. There were also plenty of other festivities at the event, including heart-shaped cookies and orange cardboard cutouts being waved around!

DaleGillett:GoodCauseComms

Hastings beach vigil

Hastings Community of Sanctuary organised a vigil in remembrance of the people who tragically continue to lose their lives seeking a safe home in the UK via the English Channel. It was held at dusk, highlighting the golden sunset light of the shores of Hastings’ beach, where many people seeking safety often land.

What a truly stunning picture from the vigil in Hastings last night. Organised by ⁦@HastSanctuary⁩ the event remembered the refugees forced to take perilous journeys by sea to flee war and persecution. #TogetherWithRefugees pic.twitter.com/VCTLCRljvi

— Together With Refugees 🧡 (@RefugeeTogether) October 20, 2021

Messages of welcome from Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary

In a sign of the power of local action, Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary’s members wrote letters of welcome on orange hearts. They also wrote to their MP about their concern at the government’s Borders Bill, and to say that Wales says #RefugeesWelcome.

Many messages of welcome 4 refugees from Abergavenny people today & writing to MP @DavidTCDavies saying legislation increasing hostility NOT welcome here #TogetherWithRefugees #AbergavennyWelcome #WalesNationOfSanctuary @RefugeeTogether @AsylumMatters @CityofSanctuary pic.twitter.com/fGlxJmF9Eb

— Abergavenny Town Of Sanctuary (@AbergavennyToS) October 23, 2021

Refugee art installation in Manchester

Young leaders with lived experience at RAS Voices came together under a glimmering, immersive art installation to talk about why we should be #TogetherWithRefugees. It was part of Journeys Festival, which celebrates the creative talents of refugee and asylum seeker artists.

Scrap the #AntiRefugeeBill! Manchester kicking off its #WeekofAction early with an *inspirational* call to action by amazing @RASVoice at the launch of the amazing @JourneysFest #TogetherWithRefugees 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Nq4vUuWbiT

— Asylum Matters 🧡 (@AsylumMatters) October 16, 2021

Is there an event by a local or grassroots group that we’ve missed? Get in touch with us!