Across Europe, Tens of Thousands Rally to Welcome Refugees
'We can't stay silent anymore as our politicians and the media are stigmatizing these men, women and children as threats and burdens. We can't let our governments close all our borders and build fences to keep people in need out.'
Tens of thousands of Europeans took to streets in London and elsewhere across the continent Saturday in a massive demonstration of support and solidarity for those seeking refuge from the war and violence in the Middle East.
The day of action was called to welcome the refugees, and send a signal to leaders worldwide who have either turned their back or or reluctantly agreed to house a small portion of the migrants.
"We can't continue to allow thousands to die trying to reach Europe as they search for safety, hope and the chance to live another day," reads a Facebook page promoting the day of action. "We can't stay silent anymore as our politicians and the media are stigmatizing these men, women and children as threats and burdens. We can't let our governments close all our borders and build fences to keep people in need out. That's not what Europe should be about."
"It's time speak out against the deadly borders that have been enacted in our name," the group continues. "We want to let all the refugees know: You are welcome!"
Organizers are asking governments to prioritize the fast processing of asylum claims for people from particularly tumultuous regions, such as Syria.
Actions are being staged in countries including Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Romania, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Turkey and France.And in the United Kingdom, organizers anticipated as many as 80,000 to join the march to Downing Street, where the newly-elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and musician and activist Billy Bragg addressed the crowd.
Corbyn said: "Recognise your obligations to help people which you're required to do by law, that would be good. But above all, open your hearts and open your minds and open your attitude towards supporting people who are desperate, who need somewhere safe to live, want to contribute to our society, and are human beings just like all of us. Together in peace, together in justice, together in humanity, that surely must be our way forward."
Elsewhere, supporters shared expressions of solidarity online with the hastag #RefugeesWelcome.
The day of action comes ahead of an EU emergency meeting in Brussels on Monday.
On Friday, the International Organization of Migrants released its latest figures on the crisis. Overall, more than 430,000 people had crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, with 2,748 dying or going missing en route.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Tens of thousands of Europeans took to streets in London and elsewhere across the continent Saturday in a massive demonstration of support and solidarity for those seeking refuge from the war and violence in the Middle East.
The day of action was called to welcome the refugees, and send a signal to leaders worldwide who have either turned their back or or reluctantly agreed to house a small portion of the migrants.
"We can't continue to allow thousands to die trying to reach Europe as they search for safety, hope and the chance to live another day," reads a Facebook page promoting the day of action. "We can't stay silent anymore as our politicians and the media are stigmatizing these men, women and children as threats and burdens. We can't let our governments close all our borders and build fences to keep people in need out. That's not what Europe should be about."
"It's time speak out against the deadly borders that have been enacted in our name," the group continues. "We want to let all the refugees know: You are welcome!"
Organizers are asking governments to prioritize the fast processing of asylum claims for people from particularly tumultuous regions, such as Syria.
Actions are being staged in countries including Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Romania, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Turkey and France.And in the United Kingdom, organizers anticipated as many as 80,000 to join the march to Downing Street, where the newly-elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and musician and activist Billy Bragg addressed the crowd.
Corbyn said: "Recognise your obligations to help people which you're required to do by law, that would be good. But above all, open your hearts and open your minds and open your attitude towards supporting people who are desperate, who need somewhere safe to live, want to contribute to our society, and are human beings just like all of us. Together in peace, together in justice, together in humanity, that surely must be our way forward."
Elsewhere, supporters shared expressions of solidarity online with the hastag #RefugeesWelcome.
The day of action comes ahead of an EU emergency meeting in Brussels on Monday.
On Friday, the International Organization of Migrants released its latest figures on the crisis. Overall, more than 430,000 people had crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, with 2,748 dying or going missing en route.
Tens of thousands of Europeans took to streets in London and elsewhere across the continent Saturday in a massive demonstration of support and solidarity for those seeking refuge from the war and violence in the Middle East.
The day of action was called to welcome the refugees, and send a signal to leaders worldwide who have either turned their back or or reluctantly agreed to house a small portion of the migrants.
"We can't continue to allow thousands to die trying to reach Europe as they search for safety, hope and the chance to live another day," reads a Facebook page promoting the day of action. "We can't stay silent anymore as our politicians and the media are stigmatizing these men, women and children as threats and burdens. We can't let our governments close all our borders and build fences to keep people in need out. That's not what Europe should be about."
"It's time speak out against the deadly borders that have been enacted in our name," the group continues. "We want to let all the refugees know: You are welcome!"
Organizers are asking governments to prioritize the fast processing of asylum claims for people from particularly tumultuous regions, such as Syria.
Actions are being staged in countries including Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Romania, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Turkey and France.And in the United Kingdom, organizers anticipated as many as 80,000 to join the march to Downing Street, where the newly-elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and musician and activist Billy Bragg addressed the crowd.
Corbyn said: "Recognise your obligations to help people which you're required to do by law, that would be good. But above all, open your hearts and open your minds and open your attitude towards supporting people who are desperate, who need somewhere safe to live, want to contribute to our society, and are human beings just like all of us. Together in peace, together in justice, together in humanity, that surely must be our way forward."
Elsewhere, supporters shared expressions of solidarity online with the hastag #RefugeesWelcome.
The day of action comes ahead of an EU emergency meeting in Brussels on Monday.
On Friday, the International Organization of Migrants released its latest figures on the crisis. Overall, more than 430,000 people had crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, with 2,748 dying or going missing en route.