Destitute Asylum Seeker vigil report and pictures

mischief makers | 05.03.2006 16:56 | Culture | Migration | Social Struggles

On Saturday 3rd March, Nottingham Refugee Forum (NNRF) held a ‘Living Ghosts’ vigil outside St Peters Church in town. The ‘Solidarity Sisters’ joined the vigil, asking passers-by to add their own paper ‘shopping bag’ to a display with a wish list of what they would need if they were starting a new life in a new country.

The ‘Living Ghosts’ campaign is raising awareness about the plight of destitute asylum seekers, and offering practical support through fundraising and food aid. The responses were thoughtful and thought provoking – it’s rare that we have to consider starting our lives from scratch, with nothing, in a strange place.

In Nottingham this week, people will be attempting to live on the food a destitute asylum seeker currently receives from the NNRF in aid – one bag of asda value basics and just 2.50 per week. They will then donate the rest of their normal weekly expenses to the campaign.

Government policies mean that increasing numbers of people seeking asylum are being left destitute, homeless, or living on food parcels. Destitute asylum seekers do not have the right to work, and have no way to sustain themselves. These are often people who have fled persecution and suffering – and rather than receive support and shelter in the UK, are forced to live as virtual ghosts.

The vigil was a colourful event, with fantastic music from Long Journey Home musicians drawing a crowd, information on the campaign, and the Solidarity Sisters strutting their stuff – getting the Saturday shoppers to consider a challenging issue.

Links

Nottingham Refugee Forum