Despite the miserable weather on Wednesday morning, over 70 people showed up at S. Mary’s Church in Brecon to show their support for refugees and asylum seekers.
Supporters wore orange clothes and held orange hearts, and banners to symbolise lifejackets and hope, before joining to create a ‘Circle of Love’ around the church, whilst passing vehicles sounded their horns to express their support.
The group fear that the Nationality and Borders Bill, which has been dubbed “The Anti-Refugees Bill”, could deny people who are fleeing from danger the chance to apply for sanctuary in the United Kingdom.
There is no provision in the Bill to aid un-accompanied children or those who are looking to be re-united with their family. Instead, they say the Bill will criminalise those who are fleeing from danger and need sanctuary. The Bill could also mean that asylum seekers will be denied the right to work in the country.
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and regional Senedd Member, Jane Dodds, attended the rally and echoed the opinion of everyone there.
She said: “We must not allow those who seek to divide society demonise asylum seekers and refugees. I am proud that my party continues to oppose this Bill in Westminster and would urge our MP to do the same.”
HBTSR says it has been overwhelmed by the support it has had from many people in the local area, who have donated 30 bags of toiletries in the past week. These toiletries will be given to people fleeing Afghanistan, who are currently staying in hotels with limited facilities.
A refugee from Malawi in 1973, Adil Gatrad, described the turnout as a demonstration of how he wants people to know the United Kingdom - as home to ‘warmhearted, compassionate and friendly people who care about other people in their time of need’.
Adil was welcomed in to the country in 1973 and was given the opportunity to study and work as a microbiologist in industry, and allowed him to contribute in vaccine research.
Supporters at the vigil clearly stated their collective opinion on Wednesday, and the secretary of HBTSR, Dr. Alisa Dunn commented on the event: “We were all united by the powerful convictions; how we treat refugees is about who we are. At our best, we are welcoming and kind to those facing difficult times. If any one of us feared for our lives or for the lives of our loved ones, we’d want to know that others would help us to safety.”
Rev’d Margaret Blake, Chair of Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees said: “It was heartwarming to see how many people cared enough to come out on a really wet morning to show their support. It was really good to have amongst us Jane Dodds, MS, and several Powys County Councillors: Matthew Dorrance, Liz Rijnenberg, Jackie Charlton and William Powell. Together we call on the UK government to heed our voice - and those of people like us around the British Isles - and jettison the Nationality and Borders Bill in its present state.”
To find out more about Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees, visit: https://hbtsr.cityofsanctuary.org or write to [email protected]
Councillor lends support to stand at Hay Market
Hay, Brecon, Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTS4R) also held an awareness raising event at at Hay Market last week.
Some 200 signatures were gathered towards the petition opposing the UK Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill and donations in excess of £200 were also received, towards the group’s work. A number of new supporters of the group have also emerged.
County Councillor William Powell who called by at the stand, said: ‘At a time when fear and apprehension are widespread in the country, and in the light of recent events, it is reassuring to see the kindness and compassion of so many people in our community, towards those who are displaced from their homelands by intolerance, oppression and war.
“I salute the efforts of HBTS4R to uphold Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary. Long may it continue."