Local residents to welcome refugees to Portland barge on Tuesday
Welcome event – Tuesday 1 August, 9am at Portland Port, Castletown, Portland, Dorset DT5 1BD
Refugees are due to arrive on the controversial Portland barge on Tuesday 1 August. Some will be coming from hotels in Bournemouth – despite reports of unresolved health and safety issues on the Bibby Stockholm.
The Times today quotes a source in the local authority as saying that the barge could become “a floating Grenfell” due to lack of safety protocols (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bibby-stockholm-could-become-floating-grenfell-pzqg2jtnc)
“We welcome refugees,” says Lynne Hubbard, Joint Chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset. “We’re opposed to this prison barge and no one should be moved onto a vessel that’s unsafe. At the same time, we want refugees placed on the Bibby Stockholm to know we stand with them against the government’s hostile policies, which encourage racism and hostility, and that people in Dorset are offering support.”
Stand Up to Racism Dorset, trade unions and faith groups are joining newly formed networks of local people set up to welcome the refugees. On Tuesday they will spell out the Welcome message in specially made giant letters and provide 50 welcome packs which local people have made up to assist the refugees.
“Many people have come forward with everything from clothing and toiletries to assistance with legal issues, English language, sporting activities and social events,” says Lynne Hubbard.
Profiting from tragedy
“Refugees are here because of crises in which they have been compelled to flee war and persecution,” says Lynne. “It’s cruel to cram them onto the Bibby Stockholm, which is being converted to house double the number of people for which it was designed. We deplore the decision of Langham Industries, owners of Portland Port, to berth the barge. They are profiting from human tragedy.
“The Government is wasting millions paying Langham Industries and the owners of the barge. It should be investing in an effective system for dealing with asylum applications and tackling the vast backlog of cases.”
Over 80 per cent of applications for asylum in the UK are successful and more cases are approved on appeal. Stand Up To Racism not only supports the refugees but wishes to welcome those who choose to remain in Dorset as fellow citizens and members of our communities.
Join us in helping to bring reality and decency back by SUBSCRIBING to our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1Ll1ylCg8U19AhNl-NoTg and SUPPORTING US where you can: Award Winning Independent Citizen Media Needs Your Help. PLEASE SUPPORT US FOR JUST £2 A MONTH https://dorseteye.com/donate/
