Solidarity With Refugees March - Sat 12th Sept 2015

On Saturday 12 September BlackOutLdn took to the streets of London to declare solidarity with refugees who are risking their lives to escape conflict. We joined tens of thousands of people marching from Marble Arch to Downing Street, because despite what the British government and media say, we want to welcome refugees instead of dehumanise them.

BlackOutLdn was proud to walk alongside so many people rising against the injustice, racism and prejudice that are unfortunately still so prevalent in 2015. Together with Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) we led chants and provided entertainment for our fellow walkers – if you were at the protest you might have seen (or heard) us dancing outside Green Park station.

In September and October BlackOutLdn will join BARAC and Nation of Islam (NOI) in Calais, distributing essential aid to refugees and participating in an International Solidarity demonstration. The 'Jungle' camp is one of the biggest in Europe, with the numbers that have come from the Middle East and Africa overwhelming aid workers. The camp's living conditions are desperate; the lack of adequate shelter, sanitation, and water means that the refugees are largely dependent on donations and outside assistance. For this reason we support them entirely in completing their journey to seek asylum in the UK.

We are also determined to raise awareness about the conditions for black refugees before they even reach Europe. In April 2015 the Independent published an article detailing the horrific conditions aboard the boats travelling to Italy, specifically for black refugees. 'Ruthless' human traffickers have been charging migrants the equivalent of up to £1,300 to take them to Europe, forcing people with darker skin below deck without sunlight or water. This means that they are more likely to drown if the boat capsizes, or more likely to be poisoned by petrol fumes. This blatant racism is disgusting, and more must be done to expose it. More recently, photos have been posted online of Syrian refugees pushing a Nigerian man off of a boat bound for Kos, Greece. This, too, has to be publicised if we truly want to give a voice to every refugee.

Racism pervades this entire crisis from the governments denying migrants' asylum, to the refugee boats themselves. We know what damage racism and oppression can do within our own community, but ultimately it is these ugly forces that are preventing this country from offering refugees a lifeline. A refugee in crisis is still a human in crisis, regardless of race or nationality. Why should these factors dictate life or death? We have all seen the media try to dehumanise them, making them seem like a burden on us, as if we are the ones fearing for our lives. The Daily Mail has called the refugees 'boat people', and even our Prime Minister David Cameron has referred to them a 'swarm'. This racist attitude is perpetuated by this country's most powerful voices, and so it is our responsibility to get our own voices heard and stand for justice.

This is exactly why BlackOutLdn was founded in the first place – to confront racist oppression and injustice in its many forms. For too long, race has dictated how police treat an individual, or if a candidate gets a job, or if a family fleeing their war-torn country is able to seek asylum. The unfortunate common denominator between Sandra Bland and Aylan Kurdi is a refusal to treat people of colour like the human beings that they are.

BlackOutLdn is determined to see the end of this. We are so glad to have been part of such a huge appeal to the government on behalf of the refugees, and we are determined to continue the fight on their behalf. The harsh reality for thousands of people across Europe right now is that their home country is a danger to their lives; the government's racism and oppression are obstacles to reaching a safe haven.

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