Refugee Council Sleepout

Hello STAR Members!

In order to highlight the destitution experienced by many refused asylum seekers in the UK the Refugee Council is organising a sleepout in Parliament Square on Monday 19th February, the day before quarterly Home Office asylum statistics are published. They are asking What's so wrong with treating people right?

They are looking for hardy volunteers to spend a night a night on a historic site of protest opposite Parliament. A core team is required who can arrive with their warm clothes and a sleeping bag (covers to keep you dry are supplied), but a small army of helpers on short shifts during the evening on Monday, and from early morning on the Tuesday is also needed.

If you are interested in being a part of this demonstration to highlight the plight of the refused asylum seekers that sleep rough every night as part of the Refugee Council's Just. Fair. campaign contact justfair@refugeecouncil.org.uk.

This is a chance to demonstrate to the public media and MPs that destitute refused asylum seekers have no home and that destitution is not working as a policy. Refused asylum seekers are not leaving the UK – they are here and they are homeless and hungry.

Hope many of you will get involved!

~ LSE STAR Committee

Speaker event!

DETENTION, DESTITUTION & HOPE

Come along to H202 on Thursday 1st February at 7pm to hear from those with first hand experience of the asylum system. There will also be live music and food available. We will be visited by:

• Mr Kirk Mwesigwa, an asylum seeker from Uganda who was detained for seven months.
• The London Detainee Support Group.
• A representative from Student Action for Refugees National Office.

There will also be information available on the opportunity of volunteering with detainees.

See you all there!

~ LSE STAR Committee

EVENT - Film Showing

Hello everyone,

At 6pm on Thursday 18th January in S75 we will be showing Shooting Dogs, a film based on the true story of the Rwandan genocide. This is a great chance to meet other members of STAR and become aware of refugee issues not just in the UK but around the world.

Free drinks and snacks will be available, hope to see you all there!

~ LSE STAR Committee