Firstly, thank you to all those who were involved in actions and celebrations around International Migrants Day at the end of the last year. In case you missed it, you can read more of the actions of Friends and QPSW in our last Sanctuary update.
As the global pandemic rolls on we hear many amazing and heartening stories of kindness and welcome. But, as often is the case, those who are already disadvantaged, marginalised and oppressed, are again vulnerable to the cruelty of state actors. We wanted to highlight Status Now’s concerns around the effect of the pandemic on migrants who do not have equal status and the governments “vaccine amnesty”.
Below we share some positive stories, opportunities for learning and some activities you can get involved in. We hope this update makes you feel encouraged, and that you can pass it on to everyone working on migration and racial justice in your Sanctuary Meeting. Please read on!
Tatiana Garavito and Philip Wood
QPSW Sanctuary Everywhere team
Understanding the roots of the UK’s immigration system and how to dismantle it
Starting in March, we will be running a four-part course with Woodbrooke to understand and reflect on the root causes of racism and the draconian immigration policy of the UK. The course has been developed collaboratively by Tatiana Garavito from Quaker Peace and Social Witness, Kékéli Kpognon from Quaker Council for European Affairs and Catherine Henderson from Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network.
Through four interactive sessions, this short course will discuss the narratives and social constructs that have led to the current anti-immigrant sentiment as well as the ways in which people and communities can begin to get organised to build power that achieves racial and migrant justice.
Through four interactive sessions, this short course will discuss the narratives and social constructs that have led to the current anti-immigrant sentiment as well as the ways in which people and communities can begin to get organised to build power that achieves racial and migrant justice.
We are hoping that the course will be useful to many Friends, including those who are not currently involved in Sanctuary Meetings. Please share this widely though your meeting and your networks.
The course costs £42 with live sessions are every Thursday at 19:00-21:00 between 8th March 2021 - 4th April 2021.
How Quakers in Devon secured a home for people seeking refuge
Last year Philip Wood spoke to Richard Watts, Treasurer of Exmouth Quaker Meeting, about the meeting’s journey and the development of one of its Sanctuary projects.
This project, which started with a legacy donation and the suggestion of the meeting buying its own meeting house, ends with the meeting providing stable and safe accommodation for a family seeking refuge.
In the run up to Intentional Migrants Day, a group of Friends from Scotland and across the rest of Britain organised a weekly of online craftivist sessions, making textile butterflies to celebrate migration and later used them in their International Migrants Day actions.
The group has decided to continue meeting and invite others to join as they decide what creative actions to do next!
The craftivism group will be meeting on Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 11AM.
If you would like to join but are unsure of how, feel free to call or message Philip Wood at philipw@quaker.org.uk or 020 7663 1071.
Thank you for reading!
As always, if you or your meeting have any work or projects to share or you have needs for support please get in contact with Tatiana or Philip. We would love to hear from you.
Join our Sanctuary Everywhere closed Facebook group here:bit.ly/2ATALLw