The origins of the London City of Sanctuary campaign are humble. Inspired by success and freshness of the Sheffield campaign, a handful of Londoners from a diverse and often unexpected range of backgrounds united around a common question – could London be a City of Sanctuary?
In order to find out, the informal group organised a Public Launch Event on November the 12th, 2008 at Saint Martins in the Field. The audience were treated to a powerful performance of The Asylum Dialogues, followed by speeches and words of support from City of Sanctuary pioneers Inderjit Bhogal and Craig Barnett, as well as London MP Neil Gerrard and political activist Peter Tatchell.
We had no idea what to expect; but the response to the launch was greater than we could have hoped for. There was a great turn-out and overwhelmingly positive feedback. It was clear that the support and excitement needed for a successful campaign was there.
Having galvanised support and interest, we held an Inaugural Business meeting on the 21st January 2009 at Cheneygates, Westminister Abbey – a venue with a strong historical association with sanctuary. The meeting was opening with words from Canon Nicholas Sagovsky and Douglas Board, Chair of the Refugee Council. There was a robust discussion amongst those who attended on what a London City of Sanctuary might look like, and potential early actions for 2009. Those at the meeting also agreed on a draft constitution, and formal officers were nominated and elected.
Those elected were as follows:
Chair – Sasha Feachem
Vice-Chair – Tim Finch
Vice-Chair – Pindurai Makufa
Vice-Chair – Christine Bacon
Vice-Chair – Professor Harbajan Singh
Treasurer – Steve Cox
Coordinator – Malcolm Corrigall
These officers now constitute a wider coordinating committee which is also open to others who wish to be active. It will meet quarterly to steer the direction of the campaign. London City of Sanctuary is now getting down to the work of developing the campaign, seeking sources of funding, widening support and organising campaigning events and actions for 2009.
The next few months are a crucial time for us, and we’re full of ideas and optimism for what we can achieve. We have plans to:
· Take part in Refugee Week’s Small Actions Campaign
· Host a performance of the Asylum Dialogues at a high-profile London venue at the culmination of Actors for Human Rights’ City of Sanctuary Tour
· Take part in the Strangers into Citizens March on May 4th, 2009.
· Launch a London Citizen of Sanctuary Award
· And much more!
We are also very keen to involve as wide a range of London organisations, institutions, communities and individuals as we can, and to spread a culture of hospitality and welcome to all corners of the Capital. If you or your organisation would like to be involved, or to simply find out more contact us on: london@cityofsanctuary.org.
