Saturday 6th July 2019
Ashford – Lewes (by train)

Catching the 19.24 train by the skin of my teeth, I headed on my way to Lewes to stay with a group of walkers (who have walked from Brighton today) made up of ‘everyday’ people and refugees.

For the next two days I will be walking with this group of (I estimate) 100 people in a project by the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWP) called ‘Refugee Tales’ – walking in solidarity calling for an end to indefinite detention.  The issue of detention is a difficult subject as it leaves people in a state of purgatory; waiting to find out if their application to become a refugee/asylum seeker has been successful and this process has left people waiting im some cases for years – unable to travel outside of a particular area, to not be given actual money (given an Aspen debit card) and in the worst case being sent back to their country of origin where persecution awaits them.  The project aims to raise awareness of these people’s plight, bring an end to indefinite detention and improve the situation for people in the future.

The railway journey split through the sheep fields of Appledore and along the shimmering shore of Cooden Beach arriving in Lewes close to 9pm.  Upon arrival at the accommodation I found no space left to lay my sleeping bag in the dormitory though fortunately a refugee helped me and I found a space in the attic, it was a fine place for me.

Sunday 7th July 2019
Lewes – Alfriston (by foot)

After a good night’s sleep we set off through the streets of Lewes and along the river.  Speaking with a teacher, I learnt how school staff had fought legal cases to protect asylum seekers about to turn 18 years old from being taken from the school directly for deportation.  As we walked I spoke with a charity fundraiser and a 6th form English teacher.  Each person I spoke to had different views on a range of subjects and particularly on Brexit.

Enjoying a tasty lunch we walked on to Charleston, home of the Bloomsbury Group in Sussex where we were welcomed with tasty refreshments.  We later arrived in sunny Alfriston where a vegan curry and a packed house awaited us for the evening’s event.

Refugee Tales walkers arriving in the village of Alfriston.

At the event one of the refugees gave a heartfelt story about his experiences in Sudan, Libya and into Europe.  It was clear that this young man feared going home to his village and had experienced great tragedies trying to find a better life.  His tale included living under a railway bridge in Paris and hiding under a lorry to reach the United Kingdom; yet, why he had not applied for asylum in Italy or France (both countries he had spent time in) was unclear.

He was given a standing ovation, receiving pats on the back and hugs all round.  The situations he had experienced had required great bravery and his fortitude was admirable.  Yet I found it a strange occurrence that someone could be praised for doing something illegal (entering through clandestine means) because they had suffered hardship in the past.

There is a strong call for humanity and I think many people can agree and will support the call for an end to indefinite detention; however supporting people who have committed illegal acts is a more debateable topic.

This account will continue in my next post Refugee Tales 2019 Part 2.