Syrian Refugees Campaign: From Anger & Sadness to Practical Action
Washed ashore, the lifeless body of 3 year old Syrian refugee Aylan Kurdi has opened the world’s eyes to the plight of Syrian refugees. With 12 million Syrians in need of urgent help, and 4 million refugees having fled the country, this humanitarian crisis has ignited sadness and anger. It is time to transform that emotion into action.
On the 6th of July 2015, MDXSU & Citizens UK launched a campaign in coalition with local synagogues, churches, mosques and schools to convince Barnet Council to resettle fifty Syrian refugees. Alongside members of the local community, we are working to guarantee training, job opportunities, housing and education for those resettled in Barnet.
Want to help make a difference? All of us can play a part in this campaign. Underneath is a list of six pledges you can take to help save lives, inspire change nationwide, and simply serve humanity.
Pledge One: Attend the Barnet Day of Action (and bring a friend!)
The Barnet Day of Action will be held at the Finchley Reform Synagogue on Sunday 27th September 5-6:30pm. Leaders of the local community will be present, as well as the Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University. Together we will be lobbying the Leader of Barnet Council to resettle 50 Syrian refugees. This tactic has worked successfully in eight other boroughs, including Islington and Kingston.
Can you pledge to come along, invite others and join the lobbying of the Barnet Council?
RSVP to the event here.
Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook.
Pledge Two: Make a statement online
Help support the MDXSU Syrian Refugees Campaign without leaving your desk/phone!
Add this twibbon to your Facebook or Twitter profile picture.
Sign up to join our ThunderClap, and join other students in sharing our campaign on September 20th.
Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook.
Pledge Three: When the refugees arrive, what could you do for them?
If the campaign to resettle 50 Syrian refugees in Barnet is successful, could you pledge to do something to help them settle into the local community? From providing English tutorials to acting as a mentor to vulnerable children, whatever you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.
Fill out this short pledge form so we can feature your pledge as part of the Barnet Day of Action.
Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook.
Pledge Four: Send a Letter to the Leader of Barnet Council and MP for Hendon
Use this template letter to write to the Leader of Barnet council asking him to agree to the resettlement of 50 Syrian refugees in Barnet. Alternatively you can send him an email on cllr.r.cornelius@barnet.gov.uk (don’t forget to cc us in: studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk)
Use this template letter to write to our local MP, Dr Matthew Offord, to ask him to call for a urgent debate on Syrian Refugees in the House of Commons and use his vote to support the calls for Britain to drastically increase resettlement of Syrian Refugees in the UK. Alternatively you can send him an email on cllr.r.cornelius@barnet.gov.uk (don’t forget to cc us in: studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk)
Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook.
Pledge Five: Join the National Day of Action
Join us at the National Day of Action in solidarity with refugees on Saturday 12th September. We will start at midday at Marble Arch and march to Downing Street. You can RSVP for the march here.
Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook.
Pledge Six: Sign the Petition
Call for the Prime Minister, David Cameron to house more refugees in the UK. This petition has already over collected 400,000 signatures; make sure to sign your name to lobby the government to debate this issue in Parliament.
Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook.
If you would like any more information on this campaign, please contact campaign manager and MDXSU Vice President Sayed Alkadiri, at s.alkadiri@mdx.ac.uk
For any media enquires please contact Ed Marsh (MDXSU Director) - e.marsh@mdx.ac.uk
