Over 1000 people turned out in Edinburgh yesterday to show solidarity with the refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.
The Edinburgh Sees Syria vigil, which was expected to continue to midnight, heard a series of speeches from campaigners who spoke out about the humanitarian crisis
The Middle East nation is ravaged by a brutal civil war involving Daesh, also known as Islamic State, and groups both for and against the Assad regime.
The unfolding disaster has led to hundreds of thousands of Syrians seeking sanctuary in the European Union and elsewhere, with many refugees dying as they try to reach Greece and other Mediterranean countries by boat.
Prime Minister David Cameron was forced into saying the UK would take around 20,000 refugees after his initial response to the crisis was criticised.
Yesterday’s event, similar to vigils around Scotland, started slowly but attracted a crowd of well-wishers of over 1,000.
Keefe McKie, from the CalAid Edinburgh not for profit organisation, opened by saying: “This vigil has been organised by people who are not politically affiliated, but who want to send a message to the ordinary people of Edinburgh who see the struggles of those who are displaced, and want the rights of their fellow world citizens to be respected and upheld.”
“I have been inspired and humbled by the response of the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians. To all our brothers and sisters around the world, in Europe, in the UK, or in their home country, we say this: 'We stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, and hand in hand. We see you – we are one'.”
A “statement of intent” was then read out: “We gather to silently and humbly remember the lives lost and the people in difficulty. We see the struggles and humanity of those who are displaced and stateless. Today we show our sorrow for our UK Government’s continuing lack of compassion.”
The second speaker, Dr Alison Strang, said: “We are seeking to express our solidarity with all those who are oppressed at this very moment. Oppressed by conflict, by persecution, by violence.”
At the same time, a choir sang an improvised version of ‘Deep Blue Sea’, then ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Everybody Welcome’.
Scotland’s political parties were also represented, with SNP MP Tommy Shepherd and Labour MSPs Alex Rowley and Cara Hilton amongst the crowd.
Head of Oxfam Scotland Jamie Livingstone, who was in attendance, said: "These rallies clearly show the strength of feeling in Scotland about the need for the Scottish, UK and other Governments to do all they can to help people fleeing horrors most of us can only imagine. No one chooses to be a refugee, people simply want to live at home in safety and free from fear."
Toni Giugliano, the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Western also said: "Rallies and fundraising events across Scotland show the scale of our nation's humanitarian efforts. This is about human beings, not money, borders, identity, religion or anything else."
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