Warwick STAR society taking part in Action Week
Student Action for Refugees (STAR) will hold Action Week from Monday 10 March, in connection with Still Human Still Here.
The campaign asks the Government to ensure that all asylum seekers are adequately supported until they are either given protection in this country or returned to their country of origin.
Along with student groups across the country, Warwick STAR will be hosting events throughout the week to raise awareness of issues facing refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
There will be a panel discussion on such issues on Monday 10 March, featuring speakers such as Warwick School of Law’s Dallal Stevens and Mike Kaye of Still Human Still Here.
‘Actors for Human Rights’ will attend The Grand Union in Leamington Spa on Tuesday 11 March to perform readings of ‘Asylum Monologues’, based on refugees’ real-life experiences of the asylum process in the UK.
Anna Hamre, vice-president of Warwick STAR, had seen the performance before: “I found it incredible how it managed to make these people’s stories so accessible; it’s hard to imagine a situation so detached from your own.”
She emphasised that in light of current refugee crises, it was a good way of “connecting the removed images we see in the news with people’s real, lived fears and challenges.”
Ollie Hirst, Warwick STAR’s campaigns officer, talked about the sleep-out that will be staged on the Piazza on Thursday 13 March.
“It’s a creative way to draw attention to the challenges faced by destitute asylum seekers that have come to the UK to escape conflict and human rights abuses, but are refused protection.”
He added: “Even if you’re not involved with STAR, it would be great to have any extra support, either by sleeping-out with us or just coming by the Piazza in the evening for more information.”
President of Warwick STAR, Fran Turner, encouraged general involvement in the events, “to make as much impact as we can for refugees and asylum seekers.
“Everybody is welcome and it’s a great opportunity to learn something and meet new people.”
Comments (1)
Warwick University, yes, i can see why hanging around with all this privilege, would make someone want to help refugees and asylum seekers.
I mean never mind, that the geo-stablic instability they are attempting to escape may the direct or indirect consequences, of our great nation.
No, i once spoke to an immgrant, and spent their time with them, so ive done my part. Yes yes yes, keep calm and carry on..
Ignore that our politicians should be called up for war crimes, no no, its the refugees fleeing countries we bomb, that we should help!