Manchester Community Groups are joining 225 local groups from across the UK to sign an open letter today to tell the Home Secretary that they reject her ‘ruthless new plans to erode refugee rights’.
The letter is part of a week of ‘Communities Together for Refugees’ action that kicks off around the country today, organised in collaboration with communities and Together With Refugees.
In Manchester, local groups including Manchester Amnesty International, Fairtrade Community Group and Women Asylum Seekers Together, alongside local volunteers, are organising a series of community events. These include an MP letter writing action outside the Central Library and at the Christmas Fair, arts and crafts gatherings and posters with the message ‘We Stand Together with Refugees’ in windows across the city.
Nighat Atta is an organiser at Women Asylum Seekers Together Manchester who signed the open letter and is coordinating a postcard-writing craft activity with women from the network. They are also collaborating with Greater Manchester Fairtrade Network and Manchester Amnesty International to participate in a range of joint activities, including running public stalls where they are encouraging people to take posters and sign postcards to their MPs.
Nighat said: “We believe everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives. Locally, we’re working to raise awareness, bring people together, and highlight the positive contributions that people seeking refuge make to our area. This campaign matters to us because it reflects the kind of community we want to be, one that welcomes, supports, and stands alongside people who are rebuilding their futures.”
Bernard, an organiser from Greater Manchester Fairtrade Network, said: “This week in Greater Manchester individuals and community groups, Amnesty and Fairtrade groups, places of worship and community centres are flying the We Stand Together with Refugees flag to demonstrate love and respect for those less fortunate than themselves. I have been privileged to meet and read personal testimonies from local asylum seekers and those who are voluntarily supporting them. This is the Britain my grandchildren can be proud of.”
The letter, responding to the government’s plans ‘Restoring Order and Control’ announced on 17 November, states: “Every day we witness people stepping up – opening their homes, volunteering their time, speaking out for fairness and supporting one another. We know that your cruel new plans do not represent us, our communities or who we are as a country.”
It finishes: “We – communities across the UK – are standing together to reject your plans. Now is not the time to play into the hands of those seeking to build them-and-us division between local communities and refugees. Now is the time to focus on what unites us, find common ground and offer our humanity to those who have already suffered enough.”
With 80% of the British public wanting an approach to the asylum system that is well managed, fair and compassionate, the ‘Community Together For Refugees’ weekend of action is an opportunity for communities to celebrate their commitment to kindness, cohesion and safety.
With far-right rallies against refugees and overnight displays of flags, local people in communities across the UK are joining forces with others in their area to show solidarity and compassion for those who have been forced to flee their homes due to war and persecution.
More than 30 actions are planned in towns and villages across the UK, including Christmas markets, street stalls, craft sessions, musical performances and food festivities. 10,000 posters with the message ‘We Stand Together with Refugees’ will also be placed in windows across the country – from houses and community spaces to places of worship and businesses.
