Cries for Haringey to take in Syrian refugees at Hornsey Town Hall rally

Around 120 people pressed into Hornsey Town Hall to hear personal testimonies from refugees and advice workers, as well as original dance and songs from Middle Eastern performers.

Organiser Lucy Nabijou said Haringey Council is so far refusing to take part in the vulnerable person resettlement scheme for Syrian refugees – part of the government’s pledge to take in 20,000 in the next few years.

She described how while neighbouring councils Camden and Barnet have pledged to take in 20 and 50 Syrian refugees respectively, Haringey is not engaging with community organisations to welcome any number.

This is in spite of the fact that central government have pledged to help fund their arrival.

The Syrian refugees will be housed by private landlords rather than in social housing, and each refugee will come with funding packages.

“From our point of view, we had a really positive response,” Ms Nabijou said.

“There are so many people in Haringey who want to get behind this... We had some wonderful performances.”