ROUNDUP: Our response to the far-right riots
In the days following the far-right riots, MEX came together with key partners and peers in the sector to check in with each other and discuss what action we need from funders, charity leaders and the government.
In response to the far-right riots in August 2024, many of us in the refugee and migration sector came together to support each other and call for change.
With colleagues at Refugee Action, Refugee Council, and Freedom from Torture, we organised an online space for those identifying as having lived experience of the migration system and working in the migration field.
In this space people shared thoughts, insights, and crucially, their demands for action. These demands were shared with decision-makers, urging immediate action to tackle the root causes of the violence.
To the Prime Minister
People with lived experience and professionals in the migration sector signed a letter for the Prime Minister, calling for comprehensive policy reform that centres racial justice and addresses the deep-rooted flaws in the migration system.
‘For many of us, racial justice and migration justice are inseparable. The migration system is inherently biased, and this moment underscores the need for a shared concerted effort across society to address racism, division and polarisation that affects Muslims, Black people, People of Colour and people seeking asylum.’
Read the letter to the Prime Minister
To charity leaders and funders
People with lived experience and professionals in the migration sector also signed a letter to charity leaders and funders, calling for prioritised safety measures, wellbeing support, and both emergency and long-term funding.
‘Urgent action is required to ensure the safety of all staff, particularly those from minoritised communities and those with lived experience. The gaps in protection, underscore the necessity for more individuals with lived experience to be in leadership positions which in turn requires dedicated resources for leadership development.’
Read the letter to the charity leaders and funders
Blogs
For more reflections, read the blog about our joint response to the far-right riots – co-authored by Kolbassia Haoussou, Marchu Belete, Mohamed Omar, and Yusuf Ciftci.
‘We joined together to reassure each other that it is okay to be scared, but also to find hope. We have received messages of solidarity from friends, colleagues, and wider supporters. Although this is reassuring, we need action that centres anti-racism.’
MEX’s co-director Marchu Belete’s blog posted by ACEVO shares her reflections on how fear had strengthened collective resolve to drive forward change.
‘While we may have closed our doors in response to a threat, our commitment to advocating for justice and safety for all people seeking asylum has never been stronger.’
Key priorities for funder intermediaries
We also came together with colleagues at Funders for Race Equality Alliance, Civic Power Fund and Justice Together Initiative to offer support and push for action as infrastructure organisations working in the sector. In a joint letter, we call for:
1. Emergency support for organisations on the front line to stay safe, particularly ‘by and for’ organisations.
2. Support for people from racialised communities to connect with peers, access well-being support, and centre anti-racism in the wider sector response
3. Disseminate information on funding needs and collaboration opportunities and convene funders to avoid duplication and strengthen longer term efforts
4. Solidifying funder commitment by monitoring funding and ensuring it funds the most vulnerable by completing the racial justice audit
Read the full letter from funder intermediaries.
In the media
The Mirror – coverage of letter to the Prime Minister, 14 August 2024
Third Sector – coverage of letter to charity leaders and funders, 14 August 2024
Association of Charitable Foundations – highlighted MEX’s advice to independent funders, 16 August 2024
Civil Society – highlighted MEX’s asks for funders in respond to far right riots, 20 August 2024
Association of Charitable Foundations – highlighted MEX’s call to funder urging the need to invest in leadership development, 20 August 2024