Thread by @_lea_li

I’d love to be just glad about all the help for refugees from #Ukraine all over Europe right now but I just can’t. Being involved in the movement against border violence since 2015, I am watching this and I want to scream. A thread. 1/6

In 2015 I witnessed how teargas was shot on people fleeing the war in Syria in #Idomeni. I saw fascist groups “protecting” the borders in Poland and other countries of the Balkans. 2/6

Alan Kurdi has been only one of thousands who drowned and for a second it seems like civil society cared. But instead of opening the borders and create a safe passage to Europe, #Frontex got their budget increased and the EU Turkey Deal got implemented. 3/6

In 2017 the central Mediterranean became the wet grave for more than 3000 people who tried to flee. Again, Frontex got financially reinforced, while civil SAR operations as @IuventaCrew got criminalised and forced to stop their life saving operations. 4/6

Just last year, European leaders were more than keen to support 3rd country operations (outside of Europe) to make sure no refugees from #Afghanistan will make it to Europe. That’s only a glimpse. But it shows the deeply rooted racism of Europe. 5/6

I do wish wholeheartedly all the best to the people from Ukraine. But I do wish the same to people from Afghanistan, Somalia, Myanmar, Yemen, South Sudan, Libya (….). #FreedomOfMovement but for all.6/6

P.S: I am writing this while I am thinking about my friends from Afghanistan, from South Sudan and Sudan, from Cameroon and from Egypt. I am writing this, knowing their struggles, their daily experiences of racism, their experiences of being rejected in a white, christian society

Here’s a report on what’s happening to non whites at the exact same borders:

https://twitter.com/Ore__K/status/1497181598332203008

There’s currently a space about help for Nigerians trying to leave #Ukraine.

twitter.com/i/spaces/1kvJp…

Follow @ChyLady to stay informed about that topic and please contact her if you can give them reach!

Whoever has worked in that field the past years is sharing that views.

https://twitter.com/emmanuellechaze/status/1497505430272155657

.@C_AB_ is one of a few German representatives who are also condemning this practice:

https://twitter.com/c_ab_/status/1497513700793667584

Please also follow @PollyWilkins for brilliant analysis on #RacistBorders!

https://twitter.com/PollyWilkins/status/1497514849538035713

Here some more information and advice:

https://twitter.com/sirveto/status/1497521942366150656

I didn’t mention the refugees from Iraq and I do apologise for that:

https://twitter.com/shinysm53155291/status/1497536241792913410

https://twitter.com/shinysm53155291/status/1497537177827229697

https://twitter.com/shinysm53155291/status/1497538075567828997

The organisation Khalsa Aid is looking into options for people to cross to Romania regardless what passport they are holding:

https://twitter.com/thegarlicultra/status/1497541348492132354

A collection of options to leave Ukraine for African students:

https://twitter.com/korrinesky/status/1496770898019303427

European leaders are not even ashamed to show their racist mindset:

https://twitter.com/tihomirsabchev/status/1497264454236610563

Please don’t forget the refugees from Iraq:

https://twitter.com/salinsania/status/1497549482262769666

If you’re able to donate:

https://twitter.com/whisper2raw/status/1497565464809115658

I strongly recommend to not support the big UN organisations when donating money but rather grassroots and self organised structures! E.g the #UNHCR is only supporting the #RacistBorder system implemented by the global north instead of the people on the move!

I haven’t checked this information in depth but it seems to be trustworthy. Re: #Algerian in #Ukraine

https://twitter.com/ouissalharize/status/1497319800405741568

Not only conservative and right wing politicians are using racist language to play off refugees from Ukraine against people from other regions, also media and journalist do so:

https://twitter.com/imraansiddiqi/status/1497607326487826435

.@korrinesky is also sharing real time advice for non-Ukrainians who want to leave the country:

https://twitter.com/korrinesky/status/1497607774447886336

For donations please also consider @nothilfe who are supporting local groups and structures:

https://twitter.com/nothilfe/status/1497278047996813322

Here’s another report on how black and brown people are rejected at the borders.

https://twitter.com/stephhegarty/status/1497603013799784449