I’ve just been interviewed by BBC Radio Kent about the
demonstration in solidarity with migrants at the Euro Tunnel Terminal
Folkestone on Saturday. Listening to the programme I was astounded and sickened
by the level of hostility and bigotry towards the migrants. This is a humanitarian crisis. The migrants are some of the
most desperate men, women and children on our planet. They are feeling war, torture, rape and famine to have
a better safer life. They are taking incredible risks to make their journeys to
safety and many die on the way. And don’t forget, that the situations these
people are fleeing from are largely the result of foreign policy pursued by the
UK, Europe and the USA. We have a moral responsibility to help these people as
we are partly the cause of their suffering. And even if this was not true, we
have a duty of compassion towards fellow human beings in serious trouble to lend a helping hand. Yet
far too many people are responding to the crisis with hatred and unbelievable nastiness.
The fact is, our country is taking fewer migrants than most others in Europe
and instead of demonising them I believe we should be welcoming them. And finally instead of blaming the immigrants for having the audacity to flee
from the terrors we have partly created,
we
should be developing polices to allow the countries we have destabilised to
rebuild and become prosperous. This is why I am proud to be attending the gathering in
Folkestone tomorrow. This is why I am proud to demonstrate my solidarity with the
migrants. If you want to show your solidarity assemble 11am at the Euro Tunnel
Service station Ashford Road, Folkestone, CT18 8XX. I hope to see you there.
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