BU Research Blog

November’s Community Voices webinar welcomes Laney White from Portland Global Friendship Group

When the concept of the Bibby Stockholm barge for asylum seekers was announced in Portland without any public consultation, our local community experienced a groundswell of racist, violent opinion and speech.

A group of local people who were dismayed by this racist intolerance came together through Stand Up To Racism and formed The Portland Global Friendship Group.  We were (and are) opposed to the asylum seekers being housed on The Barge but are in full support of the men.

Amongst a sea of hostility we wanted the asylum seekers to know they were welcome within our community.

We have been supporting the asylum seekers through a variety of different ways. We oppose racism on any level but hope we can build bridges within our community by showing kindness and tolerance.

Community voices is a collaboration between BU PIER partnership and Centre for Seldom Heard Voices to provide a platform and a voice to local community activists.

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