A PARTY to cheer up February is always a good idea, and this was
a "Love Migrants" party in Walthamstow, the part of east London
that is in Chelmsford diocese. More than 100
people from at least 20 nationalities gathered to enjoy Filipino
dancing, Spanish song, Congolese music, and food from around the
world.
"The Love Migrants party epitomises all we love about
Walthamstow," a local resident, Ulrike Schmidt, said. "The vision
of colour, joy, music, and dance brought by migration is a true
celebration of multi-cultural Britain."
The event was hosted by Canon Steven Saxby and members of the
congregation at St Barnabas's, and had been organised to raise
funds for the Walthamstow Migrants' Action Group. Among the guests
were the local MEP, Jean Lambert, and local councillors. "Without
migrants," Councillor Keiran Falconer said, "we would struggle to
have a working NHS, transport system, or construction industry.
Rather than knee-jerk demonising, there should be more empathy and
understanding, as shown by the lovely mix of migrants and
non-migrants shown here today."