A rally in central London to send off the Convoy to Calais, which is due to leave early tomorrow morning (Saturday 18th June) attracted around 200 people. Some 250 vehicles will set out to take money and supplies to the refugee camp known as “the Jungle” near Calais.
The French authorities have threatened not to let the convoy in, but speaker after speaker vowed to defy the ban. During the meeting news came through that the French government has ratified the ban. Organisers said that the convoy will go to Dover and demand the right to take aid to the refugees. The French government will not be allowed to pretend the refugees and the crisis are not present.
The meeting was addressed by journalist Gary Younge, campaigner Maz Saleem, Roger McKenzie, assistant general secretary of Unison, John Rees from the People’s Assembly, Weyman Bennett and Sabby Dahlu, joint convenors of Stand Up to Racism and comedian and actor Rufus Hound.
Roger McKenzie said this is no time for a calm response. Racism is on the rise and, “I’m not prepared to put up with this any more. This is our time to stand up.”
Weyman Bennett said that the move against the convoy is not just by the French police. They said they had talked with the British police. “But we are not going to make trouble. We are fighting for justice. We’re saying people should not be treated like animals.”
Sabby Dahlu talked about the murder of Jo Cox MP and how the police are now talking about the far-right connections of the person they have arrested.
Rufus Hound ridiculed the way the media reports the refugees in Calais, saying, “Fleeing for your life isn’t a choice. You don’t choose to put your baby in a small wooden boat at night.”
Gary Younge talked about how vital it is not to simply accept what you are told is practical and possible. “Imagine if Martin Luther King didn’t have a dream, but a five-point plan or worse if he just gave up. He was able to look over the moment to a better place.”
He concluded, “What we’ve seen over the last few months is some people who feel they’ve been given a licence to hate. This convoy is a licence to love.”
The event was shortened to allow people to go on to the vigil for murdered MP Jo Cox outside parliament.
People joining the convoy will gather for 8.30am tomorrow, Saturday 18th June, in Whitehall and drive to Dover.