Hamburg, 01.06,2013
Press release by www.lampedusa-in-hamburg.org
Refugees and supporters protest at an election campaigning event of the Social democratic party (SPD) with the mayor Olaf Scholz in Hamburg Barmbek
More than 250 people participated at the demonstration in front of the museum of work (Museum der Arbeit) where the social democratic party (SPD) held an election campaigning event. More than 100 of the refugees, who have been living in the streets of Hamburg for weeks, were present and emphasized their demands once again.
- accommodation
- free access to the labour market
- free access to education
- free access to medical care and social provision
- the right to freely choose the residence within the EU
The refugees eventually formed a delegation which entered the building and attempted to talk to mayor Olaf Scholz. Asuquo Udo, one of the refugees’ speakers, explained to the mayor, „We stand on the threshold between life and death. As war refugees we were given a humanitarian status by italy, which allows us to live in the EU. Now the plan seems to be to deport us back to Italy as soon as possible.“ but to be pushed around through Europe would not be an acceptable perspective.
While describing the situation they are living in, the refugees were interrupted after just three minutes, because the alleged time they were granted for speaking had ended. To withdraw the microphone from guests before they can finish their speech is inappropriate and cynical considering that they are victims of war.
Scholz explained, completely leaving aside any facts, that the city would take care of the refugees’ essential needs.
In reality things are completely different. The current support for the refugees is organized by the people of Hamburg and not by city authorities or big wellfair organizations. Especially young people try to care for the most urgent needs: dependable food supplies and the contact with those willing to give medical assistance. Scholz explained again, that the city was technically looking for suitable accomodation. But any accommodation would just be for temporary use and would serve only as a preparation for the deportation to Italy.
After the conversation the refugees clarified in their speeches that they will stay in Hamburg and that they have no intention of returning to Italy:
„The conditions in Italy were not worth living. For one the accommodation in overcrowded camps, very little food, and then homelessness and assaults in the cities, no chance of education, no chance of work. All of us have experienced such things.
Contact:
Representatives of the group from libya:
Affo Tchassei: 0176-717 402 36
Anane Kofi Mark: 0152-170 045 94
Asuquo Udo: 0152 146 725 37
Mail: lampedusa-in-hamburg@riseup.net – Web: http://www.lampedusa-in-hamburg.org/