Just before I went on my trip to Mytilene I saw in Germany the news about refugees in Greece. On TV it was reported on how aggressive and angry the refugees were in Greece (Mytilene). After I saw these news in Germany about the refugees I started to think and worry a bit. Would it all go alright? Would it be right to travel to Mytilene and help the people who require support? Would I endanger myself or not? These questions formed in my mind. I travelled nonetheless as I had already booked my ticket and had promised the group that I would come and participate.
When our ship dropped the anchor in the harbour of Mytilene, I saw from above used rubber vessels and many people (men, women, and children) who did not look well and who had to wait in the heat for their registration. When we went to our camping site (Charamida), somewhere far away from the harbour and the city, we saw families and men, who were lying on the street as they could not walk anymore and were tired. We stopped and gave them water and information. We then quickly went to our camp and unloaded our car. When the cars were empty we drove back to bring the refugees to the harbour to register.
Read hole Articel on Birds of immigrants
Category Archives: Part III
Freedom of movement for everyone
Ferries not Frontex
During our journey back to the borders we had to witness for two weeks the situation for newly arrived refugees in Lesvos getting worse day by day.
More and more children, mothers, fathers and grandparents are risking their lives by crossing the Aegean sea.
After arriving and being thankful for surviving they are faced with the unbearable situation in Lesvos.
Walking in the sun for 2 – 68 km, waiting in dirty parking lots, at the port, in makeshift refugee camps like Kara Tepe and outside and inside the Detention center of Moria and elsewhere.
The Situation at other European arrival and transit points like Kos or Idomeni is not better.
It is time for the competent authorities of the European Union to provide for Ferries transporting refugees to Europe in a respectful and save way. Freedom of Movement for everybody!
Journey back Part III: What solidarity means to me!
It was a great journey back to the border 2015. And I got a lot of experience and we did so much together.
It was my dream to help those people that they don’t have any support and are leaving their country because of some problem. All of my us supported each other so we could do the best job possible.
We’re strong together and able to climb every high wall or fence.
Read hole article on birdsofimmigrants.
Refugees Welcome Party in Pikpa
Last night w2eu and JOG hosted a welcome party in the selforganized space PIKPA to welcome and exchange with the refugees staying there. Over the last three year this became a PIKPA – w2eu – JOG Tradition.
The musicians Leon, Leo and Max traveled from Berlin and Istanbul to be part of the JOURNEY BACK TO THE BORDER and managed again for everybody to forget their sorrows for a few hours by singing and dancing.
The solidarity kitchen ALLOS ANTHROPOS had cooked all day -> food cooked with love and solidarity.
There was good connection between all the group’s (w2eu, JOG and cristian peacemakers —)and the refugee’s and specially the children. Together with them we played, painted and in the night we all dance together. After we had some Music we had an open Mike for everyone to contribute. One of the Syrian boy’s, maybe 12 years old, made hip-hop music about his country, his Journey through Turkey and Greece. He also sang also about being a 12 year old boy living with his parents and all the problems, for example putting the stereo too loud or not cleaning his own room.
Update: Arrivals in Lesvos
Articel in Greek about arrivals in Lesvos.
More than 33.000 refugees arrived on Lesvos in August 2015.
9,464 Refugees arrived in Lesvos in the Week from Friday, August 14 and the night of Wednesday, August 19. (More Statistics here.)
Currently there are around 9.500 refugees on the island. They stay in the overcrowded
Moria detention center, in a provisional camp outside the Moria detention center, in the arrival points Molivos, Sikaminia,Klio and Kaloni.
Solidarity groups take care of them.
An industry using the situation of the recently arriving refugees has grown, selling them everything they need overpriced: water for the double, taxis taking 50€ for every distance, hotels refusing them except if they pay triple the price.