Refugees
Protesters challenging Rwanda plan arrested outside Home Office immigration centre in Solihull
Police officers arrested 13 protesters following a demonstration at a Home Office immigration centre in Solihull yesterday evening. The group were apprehended just after 9pm on Monday (April 29), after preventing access to Sandford House, where they had spent most of the day in support of 5 asylum seekers who had reportedly been detained by authorities in…
Birmingham activist returns Empire Medal over treatment of refugees and free school meals
A Birmingham social work activist has returned his British Empire Medal in protest over “Labour’s refusal to commit to free school meals and the Tories removal of children’s murals” at an asylum centre. Eddie O’Hara was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2021 for his charity work and for…
Brummie women distribute toys to young earthquake victims in Turkey to mark Eid festivities
A group of women from Birmingham have visited Türkiye this week to help child refugees following the devastating earthquake in the region earlier this year. The delegation fundraised thousands of pounds in Birmingham before taking the donations directly to displaced families living in refugee camps in the Turkish south-central city of Gaziantep, where they distributed…
Birmingham Pride embraces greater inclusivity as migrant communities feel “safe and welcome”
Thousands of people descended on Birmingham city centre this Bank Holiday weekend to attend one of the country’s biggest LGBTQ+ festivals, with a special focus on providing sanctuary to individuals from marginalised communities. Officially launched in Centenary Square, the Birmingham Pride parade saw thousands of people march through the city showcasing Pride flags, brightly coloured…
Birmingham imam receives MBE for feeding homeless and helping NHS staff during pandemic
A Birmingham mosque leader who helped to feed the homeless, refugees, victims of domestic abuse and frontline NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic has received an MBE. Mohammad Asad, lead imam at Birmingham Central Mosque, was given the top honour from HRH Princess Anne at a special ceremony in Windsor Castle this month.
Vanley Burke’s migrant photography exhibition comes to Handsworth Library
Birmingham photographer Vanley Burke’s exhibition celebrating working class and migrant communities is now open to the public at Handsworth Library. Ikon Gallery is touring the critically-acclaimed photography exhibition at a location in Handsworth that is familiar to the Birmingham photographer.
International Migrants Day: What it means to be a migrant in the West Midlands
International Migrants Day takes place on Sunday 18 December, with this year’s theme being “It takes a community”. On 18 December 1990, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Muslim women to host Christmas Market for first time in Aston
A group of Muslim women are hosting their first-ever Christmas Market in Aston to foster better relationships with the local community. The women have been working on arts and crafts projects throughout the year and will be showing off their wares at a special event – open to all – at community hub Saathi House on Tuesday…
REVIEW: Jack and the Magic Beanstalk – children’s show touches on poverty and hope
A brand new family show – touching upon poverty, homelessness and the plight of migrants – comes to Birmingham to sprinkle fairytale magic and hope during the festive season. Jack and the Magic Beanstalk is currently packing out the intimate space of The Door at The Birmingham Rep.
Migrant media empowerment programme to launch in Birmingham
Members from migrant communities are being invited to take part in a media empowerment course to help them achieve better representation in local media. Working closely with local journalists and editors, West Midlands residents from migrant backgrounds can learn about how journalism works, what makes a good community story and how to pitch these stories…