CWU’s convoy to Calais & details of the next convoy

May 10 2016

It’s been a couple of day’s since I have been back from Calais and my visit to bring aid to the refugees. I didn’t want to post my thoughts so soon when I was so emotionally charged after seeing such a humanitarian tragedy with my own eyes.

It really does sicken me when I hear some people talk about the refugees as being ‘spongers’ or ‘chancers’ or ‘swarms’ which is how our own Prime Minister described them. The truth of the matter is this. The people in Calais come from various ethnic backgrounds. The main refugee groups are Syrians, Afghans, Pakistani’s, Sudanese, Somali’s and Kurds. Many of these people are highly skilled. Amongst them are teachers, doctors, builders, engineers and many other skills. I spoke to some Syrian guys who are desperate to get out of the ‘jungle’. I asked them if the war stopped in Syria would they want to return back to his country? Before I finished even asking my question he snapped his fingers to indicate at a drop of a hat.

The vast majority of these refugees have fled from war and oppression. The majority have nothing. They live in squalor. They get battered by the French police on a daily basis. When people die their bodies are collected and no-one knows what happens to them. There is no dignified funerals for people in the Jungle.

There is little hope for these people. The media has forgotten about them. Humanity has forgotten about them. I have seen many upsetting images in my lifetime but nothing like this. There are many volunteers all giving up their time to help to these people – these people are real heroes. I spoke to one man who came out to the Jungle last December and he has not returned back to the UK as he said he couldn’t leave. I can relate to him. I know a number of the CWU delegation who came out with me have made it their mission to do more. I will make it my mission to do more. We can all do more. However unfortunate life treats us here in the UK, trust me we have not seen real misfortune until you witness what these refugees are going through.

June 18th will be another trip to Calais. This time it is a massive joined up effort by the wider trade union movement and other many national campaign organisations. I dare you to get involved and do more.

I would love it if Cameron and Osbourne went out for just a day to see the conditions these refugees are living in. They are so cold hearted they probably wouldn’t even care but you never know?

Many of the refugees were scared to speak to us as when they had previously spoken to media those refugees were singled out for brutal attention by the French police. When a refugee gets bundled in to a French police van many of them never come back. No-one knows what happens to them.

I have not posted any pictures as the majority of them did not want any pictures taken of them. This was totally understandable. Can I ask my friends one thing? Next time you hear some right wing numpty chatting pure poop on the subject of the refugees please challenge them. Don’t let the lies become regarded as the truth, as this is what happens when lies go unchallenged. – Fevzi Hussein, CWU Equality Policy Advisor.

Linda Roy, CWU National Equality officer said, the trip to Calais was very emotional. It was great to see and be a part of the CWU playing such an important role in not just getting aid out to these vulnerable people but also for the Race Advisory Committee to go and speak with the refugees showing them that there are people who care. The journey and the experience has already had a profound impact on our delegation as a number of us will be returning to Calais to offer more tangible assistance to these people. The world must open it eyes to how it is being misled by the media on the issue of the refugees. Their plight is one of the most serious to face humanity and yet the Western world, who let’s face it, is largely responsible for the war and instability in these regions, turns a blind eye to their vulnerability.

The CWU is backing the next Convoy to Calais which will take place on Saturday 18th June 2016.

  • Hundreds more refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean, the British government are refusing to even take parentless children from Calais, and Syrian refugees are being forced back into the jaws of the war they have fled.
  • The Convoy to Calais on 18 June will be a huge demonstration of solidarity with refugees from the people of this country. The major unions are in. The biggest social movements are in. The Muslim community is in. Are you?
  • This is practical aid but it is also a huge moving protest at the way governments across the continent are failing refugees. This is the time to come together and say: stop the scapegoating, solidarity with the refugees.

Organised by People’s Assembly Against Austerity, Stop the War Coalition, Stand up to Racism, Unite the Union, Communications Workers Union, TSSA, War on Want, Momentum & Muslim Association of Britain

Here’s what you can do:

  • Come on the Convoy. We need every last lorry, van, bus, car, motorbike or scooter that can come to be with us. Let us know you’re coming by registering, and do make a donation to help with the costs. Even if you have to peel off at Dover and cant make it all the way. (Initial itinary below)
  • Collect: we need material, and money. Collect in your workplace, union, community, place of worship or just among your friends. Every bit counts. Download the full aproved donation list HERE.
  • Even if you haven’t collected anything do come on the Convoy. We need hands to unload and a massive show of solidarity.

Saturday 18th June

  • 08:30: Vehicles Assemble on Whitehall
  • 09:30: Convoy to Calais and Supporters Rally, Parliament Square
  • 10:00: Convoy departs
  • 13:30: Convoy arrives at Dover
  • 13:55: Ferry departs / Rally at Dover for those who can’t make it to Calais
  • 16:00: Convoy arrives at Camp. Unloading operation begins
  • 19:00: Closing Rally at Calais
  • 21:00: Convoy Departs

REGISTER FOR THE CONVOY HERE

**PLEASE NOTE: Those travelling to Calais will need to book ferry tickets separately – we are in negotiations with the ferry operators for discounts and we will email everyone who has registered with details to book as soon as possible. Likely cost is around £30 return per vehicle.Registration fees and donations through the the Eventbritepage are towards the running of the operation. The bigger the operation the graeter the ammount o
f aid and donations we can get to where it is needed most.