As part of Sheffield STAR (Student Action for Refugees) I will be one of many volunteers sleeping rough for 12 hours on the streets of Sheffield. It's going to be on the 25th of February... and it's going to be cold!
This annual sleep out marks STAR and Amnesty International's 'Still Human Still Here' campaign which promotes working rights for asylum seekers who face destitution in the UK. In the current asylum system it can take years for the UK Border Agency to decide whether to deport an asylum seeker or grant them permission to stay. Whilst waiting, asylum seekers have no citizen rights and are forced into economic dependency on government or charity hand outs.
We propose that after 6 months of living in the UK under such conditions, asylum seekers should be allowed to legally work - in order to support themselves and contribute to our society. This would also help to eradicate the stigma attached to asylum seekers and refugees, and correct some negative misconceptions used by the media to promote hostility.
All donations go to ASSIST:
There are currently around 1000 asylum seekers in Sheffield alone, trapped in a defective system. ASSIST (Asylum Seeker Support Iniative Short Term) is a wonderful organisation which provides accomodation, basic health and living expenses to destitute asylum seekers as well as legal and practical support throughout their claim processes.
Everyone deserves a fair chance to improve their lives. So please sponsor me, it is a very worthwhile cause... and you will be my favourite person :)
Love Erin x (co-president of STAR)
