Bradford's Refugees March for Justice

Best foot forward: Campaigners march for 'justice'. Photo - BCB

Refugees in Bradford are marching for equality and fairness in a sponsored walk today.

The 'Walk For Justice' has been set-up by charity Beacon. The ten-mile trek from Centenary Square in Bradford to the Home Office in Leeds follows the trip that many asylum seekers have to walk on a regular basis, when searching for help and support from the government.

People often have to travel the full distance on foot, as they usually have little or no money for transport. Beacon’s charity co-ordinator, Laura O’Connor, says that the walk is made more difficult by the weather. She also claims last year’s cold winter made it an especially bad time for refugees making the journey.

BCB’s Claire Blackmore spoke to some of those in the group. Neriman Akabri is originally from Iraq, but has been living in Bradford for nearly a decade. He is walking today to support asylum seekers in the city. He says he ‘can never forget’ the struggle he had to gain his British Citizenship, as he completed the journey regularly for nine years.

The walk began at ten this morning, with fifteen people following in an attempt to raise money for the charity which helps the struggling refugees.