Creative Solutions Must Trump Shame in Our Communities
Citizens UK supports Bridges not Walls Friday 20th January London and Manchester
“We must seek solutions to the world’s problems that don’t make us hang our heads in shame from inside gated and walled communities”, says Citizens UK chief, Neil Jameson, supporting actions nationwide calling for us to Build Bridges Not Walls, to mark Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States of America.
On Friday members of Citizens UK will take part in 'Bridges not Walls', dropping 100 banners from bridges across the country to send a simple, hopeful message: we will build bridges, not walls, in the face of the hate and fear, lies and division. 'Bridges not Walls' is an unprecedented partnership between grassroots activists and campaigners working on a diverse range of issues, formed in the aftermath of the shock US election re s ult.
For 28 years Building Bridges has been a central theme of Citizens UK's work and this action touches a nerve in our communities who share anxiety about recent political events both here and in the US.
Citizens UK’s two main actions will be on Friday January 20th at:
o Westminster Bridge- banners drop over the bridge facing Southbank from 8.30am to 9am.
o Manchester Hulme Arch Bridge, over Princess Road, Hulme -banner will drop from 8.15am – 8.45am.
Neil Jameson CBE, Executive Director of Citizens UK, who will join the action in Manchester, said : “Citizens UK has been building bridges between communities for more than 28 years, to support peaceful, pragmatic and humanitarian resolutions to the challenges facing people in our local communities and around the world. This is not to ignore genuine concerns; global challenges are bringing issues right into our communities and they won’t go away by building walls. Look at how the world rejoiced and life was invigorated by the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989! War and want around the world have created issues that require due care, compassion and the kind of creative thinking that will make the world a better place to be.
“We need solutions that don’t make us hang our heads in shame from inside gated and walled communities.”
Also attending in Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy the former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, and Chair of the Greater Manchester Citizens sponsoring committee, said: “There are understandable fears about uncontrolled immigration from all communities and illegal migration is not the answer to the problems of the developing world, but it is about the tone of that debate and our commitment to find shared solutions rather than scapegoating certain minority groups.”
Chief Executive of Migrants Organise, Zrinka Bralo, who organised the Westminster drop, said:
“We stand in solidarity with colleagues and friends in the US. We have all read reports of an increase in hate attacks. The emergence of neo-Nazis and white supremacists is scary; the attempt to normalise what is going on is even scarier. We have the responsibility to fight against attempts to divide us. Our shared values of justice, respect for dignity, human rights and the truth must shine through these difficult times. ”
For more information contact Monica.Brimacombe@citizensuk.org