As we close Refugee Week 2025 (16 – 22 June), we are left with a warm, fuzzy feeling from the support we had from people across Waltham Forest – and more determined than ever to continue the fight for migrant justice. 

London Legal Walk – we did it!

This year, WFMA once again took part in the London Legal Walk (17th June), raising awareness about legal aid. The substantial cuts to legal aid that we have witnessed over the last few decades mean that thousands of migrants are unable to afford the legal representation they need to navigate the increasingly complex immigration system – and by extension have no access to justice. 

Our team of four, Cansu, Jaz, George and Anne walked 10K along with thousands of others along the Parks route. So far we have raised £740 to fund our frontline services. Please help us reach our target of £1,000.

We also joined out sister organisation, Stories and Supper, at their ‘Warm Words’ event on Wednesday 18th June, where they shared conversations, poetry and food from members of the Stories & Supper community of refugees, people seeking asylum and local residents.

Refugee Day Celebration

Friday 20 June, International Refugee Day, we hosted a very successful event at the Walthamstow Trade Hall. In line with this year’s Refugee Week theme: Community as a Superpower, the evening was a special opportunity to come together, be inspired and celebrate people seeking safety in our community. It brought together a stellar line up of local poets, musicians and DJ’s from across Waltham Forest, including: Abu Leila, Other Theresa, accompanied by Simon Armstrong of Steve White and the Protest Family fame, , Eithne Cullen from Forest Poets, Noah, David Joey and Reload who were joined by a student from Leyton Sixth Form College, Ros Kane and Glenda Wadsley, as well as DJ UNAH, Bokeh and Richie_Programme. 

Refugees Welcome Here!

This year’s Refugee Week is taking place against a backdrop of escalating hostile policy developments and rising anti-immigration political and media discourse that are causing anxiety amongst many in our community – not least following last year’s racist and Islamophobic riots that saw thousands gather on the streets of Walthamstow. 

The government’s proposals to overhaul immigration law, such as increasing the number of deportations without providing legal representation, are truly chilling and will have a major impact on people seeking asylum, refugees and migrants. 

One of the most significant changes has already been implemented, when the government sneakily introduced a new clause in the ‘Good Character’ Guidance, that could effectively ban refugees, who arrived in the UK through a route deemed ‘illegal’ – i.e. by small boat or in the back lorry – from ever becoming British citizens.

But we won’t stop fighting for justice! We’re joining the Together with Refugee Coalition to ask MPs to reverse the citizenship ban. Please join us, email your MP today!

Windrush Day

We know that changes to someone’s immigration status can do – we saw it with the Windrush generation. Arriving from the Caribbean in 1948, they were invited to help rebuild Britain after WWII and automatically granted the right to live and work in the UK, as members of the commonwealth … until it all went wrong. 

In 2017, news emerged that hundreds of people from the so-called ‘Windrush Generation’ were being detained, deported and denied their rights. This is exactly what happens under a deeply flawed and discriminatory immigration system. 

On Windrush Day, 22nd June, I spoke to Peter Ashan, one of WFMA’s Trustees, and he shared his story with me:

“My parents came to England in 1960 from Barbados, then a part of the British Empire. They came to improve their life chances and escape from the poverty they were experiencing in Barbados. I thus have some understanding of what it is to be an immigrant. 

Too often we see migrants being blamed for the problems we all face in society, rather than focusing on the real causes of poverty in our society. 

We have too many examples to mention: the Jewish community in the 1930’s in Germany; the ‘no dogs no Irish no coloured’ signs of the 1960s; the Muslim community today. It’s endless.

I grew up in Waltham Forest and one of its strengths is its multi-ethnic, multi-faith community. I went to school with White working class families – Irish, African, Asian, Cypriot and Caribbean. l learnt so much from all of them and still do. I learnt that together we could achieve so much more than if we were divided; that our working class community was not the problem but the solution. And that we would not let others divide us.

Those lessons l take with me today, as once again around the world and in the UK we see attempts by politicians and racists to target our communities. We need to continue to work together to celebrate our beautiful diversity, and show others that hate is never the answer. Only by coming together can we tackle the inequality and the pain we all experience in this world.”