Standing with people seeking asylum!

Posted byCSSD editorialPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , ,

We in Community Solidarity Stroud District have been working with individuals and organisations across Gloucestershire to respond to protests against people seeking asylum, spreading hate and division. Read on for a statement debriefing from the August 30th counter-protest, from an alliance that is forming across the county – and join the WhatsApp Channel for updates!

GLOUCESTERSHIRE SOLIDARITY NETWORK We stood proudly with people seeking asylum - but we know those pushing hate and division will be back soon... To receive updates about counter-protests and future organising, please join our WhatsApp updates Channel: tinyurl.com/GLprotestUpdates This statement comes from individual Gloucestershire residents and over a dozen organisations who are forming an alliance across Gloucestershire. This includes but is not limited to: Gloucestershire Socialist Party, Community Solidarity Stroud District, Na’amod Gloucestershire, Communist Party Gloucestershire, Stroud District Together With Refugees, Stroud Against Racism, Stroud and District Trades’ Council, Palestine Solidarity Campaign - Stroud District, Forest of Dean Stand Up To Racism, Socialist Health Association - South West
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Firstly, a huge thanks to everyone who joined us on August 30th and stood with the people seeking asylum who have been placed by the Home Office at a hotel in Gloucester. We heard that the hotel would be targeted by people directing prejudice at people seeking asylum with only 12 days notice, and were really pleased with the numbers of people we were able to encourage to join us. For over an hour we felt we outnumbered those opposed to people seeking asylum - but their numbers increased at one point, and we cannot be complacent. We know we’ll need even more people to join us next time.
We held strong over the course of 5 hours, with those at the end choosing to leave as a group for collective safety. There were great parts of the protest - the range of placards people had made, the lovely moment when people made heart hands and people in the hotel made them back, the singing, chanting “Say it loud, say it clear - refugees are welcome here!” loudly and clearly, and the sense of solidarity and camaraderie - the way people helped each other out and made a positive atmosphere despite the rain and the aggression directed at us. It meant a lot to see one of the people living in the hotel hold out a sign that said “thank you.”
Organisers and stewards have discussed some of the lessons learned. We know that not everything went smoothly, and recognise there were scary moments at times and the event often felt uncomfortable - especially when our counter-protest was between different groups of people objecting to asylum seekers, and groups of aggressive men were walking past or approaching our counter protest and attempting to provoke us. We want to make it less scary in future - we are getting organised and will be able to share more guidance and ideas to improve events we hold in future.
Most importantly, we know that the organisers of the protest on the 30th August are planning to target the hotel and another hotel in Cheltenham in future, or hold a protest in the centre of Gloucester. We will be mobilising people for a counter protest that will celebrate our unity over division, and really want people’s help. If you would like to receive updates about the counter-protest and future organising - including dates of events, please join our WhatsApp Channel: tinyurl.com/GLprotestUpdates We hope to also organise a public meeting to discuss strategy and tactics at some point - though this may not be possible before the next counter-protest.
Join the WhatsApp channel for updates
Join the WhatsApp channel for updates

Who are Community Solidarity Stroud District?

Community Solidarity Stroud District exists to build community led solidarity in the Stroud district to oppose the hatred of minorities and oppressed people arising from false and harmful information.

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