When the body of a three-year-old Syrian refugee washed up on a Turkish beach last week, many around the world woke up to the plight of hundreds of thousands of people who are currently fleeing dictatorship, conflict and war in the Middle East and Africa.
While rallies were staged across Europe last week – 15,000 people in Stockholm, 20,000 in Vienna, 1,000 in Dublin – this Saturday has been dubbed an impromptu “International Day of Refugee Solidarity”, calling on more demonstrations and appeals around the world.
Hongkongers will assemble at Chater Garden, Central, at 3pm this Saturday for a rally defending refugees’ rights and demanding safe pathways for migrants to escape war and terror. Similar protests will be held in the UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden and Taiwan.
The Hong Kong event’s Facebook page reads: “Racist immigration policies pursued by European Capitalism have led to the creation of ‘Fortress Europe’ – a seemingly impenetrable barrier that condemns 1000s of people seeking refuge to their death.”
After calling Britain out for having enough money to engage in wars but not enough to protect the innocent civilians affected by those wars, the group takes aim at Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung.
“The CY Leung government has always been pursuing extremely inhuman policies towards the 9,000 asylum seekers in the city, the policy of Social Welfare Department forcing refugees to live in illegal slums.”
To show your support for refugees in Hong Kong and elsewhere in the world, join the march on Saturday.
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