Syrian Refugee Petition With Over 1,000 Signatories Handed To Council Leader

A petition asking Wrexham Council to commit to housing ten Syrian refugees launched on Thursday has today been handed to the Council Leader.

Since the petition was launched, by Luke Evans from Pandy, there have been nearly 1,200 signatures pledging their support to the cause.

Over the weekend Leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard, who was the person the petition is being addressed to, released a statement saying: “Wrexham has been a dispersal area for asylum seekers since 2001 demonstrating our commitment to humanitarian protection and Human Rights.

“The council continues to coordinate local support for this vulnerable group of people in partnership with local colleagues across the public and third sectors and national organisations including accommodation providers commissioned and funded by the Home Office.

“In addition we work closely with the Wales Migration Partnership to contribute to the national co-ordination of asylum support. As a partnership we work hard to ensure the well-being and social inclusion of all asylum seekers coming to Wrexham and it is important to note the important contribution of Wrexham people in providing a warm and generous welcome.

“With regards to the Syrian crisis, I deeply sympathise with those who are trying to escape from this terrible turn of events and understand completely their reasons for fleeing such a devastated area in the Middle East.

“Wrexham Council will continue to play its part in in responding to this desperate situation.”

Yesterday Wrexham.com met with Luke Evans who had arrived at the Guildhall to deliver the petition personally to Cllr Pritchard, with the formal handover delayed to this morning.

Luke Evans said: “The Council response on Saturday was filled with hollow words, a parallel reflection of mistakes from history. While Wrexham stands aside, Newcastle, Liverpool’s Labour Mayor and Chester offer shelter.

“Wrexham has held its hand of compassion out and like Chester, Cllr Mark Pritchard should call the home office, seek funding and shelter for just 10 neglected refugees. We can’t keep standing aside.”

Wrexham.com are informed that once there is further clarity on central government funding and numbers the local position could become clearer.

Locally other work is taking place to support refugees, with collections taking place in and around the town:

Packing and sorting the donations that have been made so far. Donations to be brought to Saith Seren or @GlyndwrUni. pic.twitter.com/eMINoN9kU9

— Joe Carrington (@iamjcarrington) September 8, 2015

Great to see all the donations for 1st Wrecsam to Calais convoy building in @SaithSeren pic.twitter.com/zglQA3NPvb

— Carrie (@CarrieAHarper) September 5, 2015