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.
Stand Up to Racism Dorset, trade unions and faith groups will join newly formed networks of local people set up to welcome the refugees. They will spell out the Welcome message in specially made giant letters and provide 50 welcome packs which local people are making up to assist the refugees.
“We welcome refugees,” says Lynne Hubbard, Joint Chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset. “We’re opposed to this prison barge but we want refugees to know that we stand with them against the government’s hostile policies, which encourage racism and hostility, and that people in Dorset are offering support.
“Many people have come forward with everything from clothing and toiletries to assistance with legal issues, English language, sporting activities and social events.
Profiting from tragedy
“Refugees are here because of crises in which they have been compelled to flee war and persecution. 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.
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