LIMERICK people who are finding the anti-refugee protests of recent times disturbing and not in their name are being invited to mark World Refugee Day on June 20 with a gathering in the city centre.
Organised by the Limerick Anti-Racist Network (LARN), the aim of the gathering is to show solidarity with refugees everywhere. The event will take place on Bedford Row this Tuesday at 5.30pm.
Speaking ahead of the event, a spokesperson for LARN said that “Limerick has always been a welcoming place, and as a broad network of individuals and organisations we want to show that it remains so”.
“On World Refugee Day, we will feature the stories of several refugees who now live in our community, having escaped from war and persecution. We feel privileged that they and many others have made Limerick and the Mid West their home.”
The LARN spokesperson added: “As a network, we welcome everyone into our community and stress the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect.”
“Refugees are just ordinary people whose lives have been changed by circumstances outside their control and who have had to make incredible journeys to reach safety. They have had to leave their family and friends behind and start a new life from nothing in their new home. They deserve to be allowed to do that.”
The Limerick event for World Refugee Day is part of a series of events being organised around the country.
The Limerick event for World Refugee Day is called ‘Stand Up and Stand Out for Refugees’. The stories of some of the incredible journeys made by migrants to reach Limerick will be spoken on behalf of the people who wrote them in a range of different languages.
Limerick Anti-Racist Network is open to anyone who shares its values of equality and justice. People can sign up to support or become involved at the event on Bedford Row on June 20.
