MORE than 100 people gathered in Limerick City on Tuesday to tell anti-refugee groups that their actions are “not in my name.”
Organised by the Limerick Anti-Racist Network (LARN), the aim of the gathering on Bedford Row this past Tuesday (June 20) was to mark World Refugee Day and to show solidarity with refugees across Limerick city and county, and everywhere.
Organisers of the event aid they were “delighted” that people turned out to support the day.
“This event was to show support and for everyone in Limerick who has been appalled by what we have seen happen in some parts of the country,” Karen Sugrue, one of the event’s organisers, told the Limerick Post.
“Limerick has welcomed people who come here seeking safety. These people bring their talents, their expertise, and their energy to live and work in our communities and we need them.”
The event heard from refugees who have come to Limerick about their journey and what brought them here.
There was also a minute’s silence observed for those refugees who died trying to flee their own countries.
Referencing the picture that shocked the world in 2018 of two-year-old Syrian refugee, Alan Kurdi, whose drowned body was washed up on a beach after a boat capsized carrying his family and other refugees, Ms Sugrue said: “The image of that little boy is burned on my mind and it should be burned on everyone’s mind.”
“This is the reality of people fleeing war. They are so desperate that the are putting themselves and their children into flimsy boats to get to safety.”
Affiliated with anti-racism groups across the country, LARN is “a cross-political party and community group which is open to everyone,” Ms Sugrue said.
The ethos of the group is one of respect and support and is in no small way a reaction to various anti-refugee protests and attacks which have happened.
“Certain groups are stirring up hate in vulnerable communities where no hate should be,” said Ms Sugrue.
“What we should be up in arms about are decisions which affect welfare, health, and housing. Not people who have fled to us for safety and support when their lives have been destroyed.
Organised by the Limerick Anti-Racist Network (LARN), the aim of the gathering on Bedford Row this past Tuesday (June 20) was to mark World Refugee Day and to show solidarity with refugees across Limerick city and county, and everywhere.
Organisers of the event aid they were “delighted” that people turned out to support the day.
“This event was to show support and for everyone in Limerick who has been appalled by what we have seen happen in some parts of the country,” Karen Sugrue, one of the event’s organisers, told the Limerick Post.
“Limerick has welcomed people who come here seeking safety. These people bring their talents, their expertise, and their energy to live and work in our communities and we need them.”
The event heard from refugees who have come to Limerick about their journey and what brought them here.
There was also a minute’s silence observed for those refugees who died trying to flee their own countries.
Referencing the picture that shocked the world in 2018 of two-year-old Syrian refugee, Alan Kurdi, whose drowned body was washed up on a beach after a boat capsized carrying his family and other refugees, Ms Sugrue said: “The image of that little boy is burned on my mind and it should be burned on everyone’s mind.”
“This is the reality of people fleeing war. They are so desperate that the are putting themselves and their children into flimsy boats to get to safety.”
Affiliated with anti-racism groups across the country, LARN is “a cross-political party and community group which is open to everyone,” Ms Sugrue said.
The ethos of the group is one of respect and support and is in no small way a reaction to various anti-refugee protests and attacks which have happened.
“Certain groups are stirring up hate in vulnerable communities where no hate should be,” said Ms Sugrue.
“What we should be up in arms about are decisions which affect welfare, health, and housing. Not people who have fled to us for safety and support when their lives have been destroyed.
