The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Susanna Pressel, held a tea time recepton on Monday March 9th with the Oxford City of Sanctuary group to show a positive welcome to refugees and people seeking asylum in Oxford.
This was a warm and respectful occasion, and marks the first real Oxford City of Sanctuary public event after the City Council pledged their support. People shared their stories of hardship, and of the ways in which refugee organisations in Oxford and the City Council had supported them to build their lives and make homes, friends, and find education and employment here. There was press coverage from the Oxford Mail and on BBC Oxford.
About 25 people attended the event, including refugees and people seeking asylum of all ages and from many countries, Green and Labour Party councillors, staff and volunteers from Asylum Welcome, Refugee Resource and Open Door, and members of Oxford’s City of Sanctuary group.
