Stand Up To Racism and Portland Global Friendship Group will be welcoming refugees as No To The Barge Group March
Refugees are Welcome!
A SHOW OF WELCOME AT PORTLAND PORT
SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER 12 noon
Portland Port DT5 1BD
Free tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes.
An inspiring public meeting in Portland on Wednesday 15 November brought together new residents from on board the Bibby Stockholm with local people who want to fight for Portland’s future. At least one person in the meeting was moved to tears in response to the solidarity on show.
The meeting heard how the residents on the barge want to get involved in the local area, and have been on walks and to conversation clubs to meet people on the island. A number of the refugees have already been volunteering with local charities and the homeless.
The meeting agreed a number of positive steps for the way forward. But we also heard that the No To The Barge Group intend to march to the Port on Sunday. The meeting therefore agreed to support a welcome event at the port to make it clear that the majority of people in Portland do not blame refugees and have already made them welcome.
Lynne Hubbard, joint secretary of Stand Up to Racism Dorset said, “We have always opposed the barge because it is inhumane and also because of the lack of resources in the area, but we have always argued it is not the refugees who are to blame.
“We are proud that attempts by some to stir up division and hatred have mostly failed, undermined by the great network of local people who have made a stand against racism, and have organised a practical welcome for our new residents on the Barge.
“It is not the refugees who are to blame for the local pharmacy closing, or for the lack of NHS and other resources in the area. We are asking everyone to the port on Sunday to make our welcome for the refugees clear, but also inviting everyone to get to know our new residents, and to join the campaigns to fight for our services. “
Wednesday’s Stand Up to Racism meeting agreed to:
Step up the fight for Portland services especially our hospital and pharmacy
Keep organising to welcome the barge residents.
Organise a party and ‘Let Music Unite’ event in December open to all to celebrate our unity.
Link up with others round the country to say Refugees are Welcome.
 Stand up to any racists stirring up hatred in Portland.
The venom is still about
but the decent are confronting it xx
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