European Umbrella March 2011

by mirhiban, IFOR Austria

On June 20th, the international day of refugees, all across Europe people stood up to express their solidarity with refugees: The European Umbrella March took place in several European countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Turkey and Czech Republic. The umbrella served as a strong symbol for the protection that people who are on the flight from war, from persecution and discrimination, from desperation and hunger need.
We sometimes might ask ourselves about the use of going to the street showing our solidarity, showing our humanistic conviction that all people have the right to a home where they can live their lives without fear – while the current political reality in Europe reflects a quite contrary spirit. What’s the use of a public manifestation in favour of the refugees while hundreds of them still die before they reach Europe, just because we as a society have not yet managed to treat this big issue in a manner that actually respects the dignity of all people involved? I say, speaking out is a small drop – small, but important, because it shows that there are still people who are not indifferent on how we treat the weakest among us. Because it shows that we might be more than we think, and that we can actually influence and change the public discourse. Because it writes a new reality, every time when people speak up in support of the disadvantaged and discriminated ones - a reality which is characterized by empathy, solidarity and community. Isn’t this the way how we see OUR Europe?