In the past week every screen and every channel was awash with images of drowned children and desperate parents. Reactions across the globe have varied from hate to helplessness to hopeful action. Below are two interviews from Canada, the country that denied the Kurdi family asylum, that offer more perspective on what is occuring and what can be done.
Syed Hussan of No One is Illegal Canada says that the family was murdered by the governments who refused to open their doors to them when asked.
Syed Hussan of No One is Illegal Canada talks about the tragedy of the migrant crisis and calls on federal leaders to revamp the “broken” refugee system
Posted by CTVNewsChannel on Friday, September 4, 2015
Sozan Savehilaghi of the Kurdish community in Vancouver calls on the Canadian government to do more in the wake of tragedy.
Sozan Savehilaghi is a member of the Kurdish community in Vancouver calling for Canada to do more to help migrants, following the tragic drowning of a Syrian toddler and his older brother and his mother on a Turkish beach
Posted by CTVNewsChannel on Friday, September 4, 2015
In rallies across Canada, people are marching demanding the country open its borders to refugees
Pictures of rallies and actions happening across the country.#FreedomtoMove #RefugeesWelcome#OpentheBordersFind one near you or get involved: https://www.facebook.com/events/1703064886579884/
Posted by No One Is Illegal | Personne n’est illégal | Nadie es ilegal on Saturday, September 5, 2015
Meanwhile in Europe, some people are taking it upon themselves to make sure refugees have what they need. Imagine if this was the role of Border Patrol.
Hungarians waiting by the highway with food to give to the refugees who will arrive on foot.This is what being a good human being is.
Posted by Junayed Ali on Friday, September 4, 2015
Watch this scene of Germans greeting refugees at the train station. Chancellor Angela Merkel just announced the country would not limit the number of people Germany would accept.
#MigrantCrisis“Welcome to Germany” – People applaud and greet migrants with gifts as they arrive in Munich#DesperateJourneysLive updates: http://bbc.in/1LQprLQ
Posted by BBC News on Saturday, September 5, 2015
This interview with a young Syrian refugee gives perspective to why people are fleeing: “Just stop the war,” he says.
A 13-Year-Old Syrian's Message to Europe"Please help the Syrians… The Syrians need help now. Just stop the war. We don't want to stay in Europe, just stop the war."We first met 13-year-old Syrian refugee Kinan Masalmeh in the Hungarian border town of Szeged last week. Outside Budapest's main international railway station, we found him among the hundred of refugees who have been stranded for a second day as authorities continue to block them from travelling to other countries.
Posted by Al Jazeera English on Wednesday, September 2, 2015
But in case you needed a reminder that not everyone responds the same, Ann Coulter just retweeted this
The West is being asked to destroy itself for the sake of people willing to sacrifice their own children for more welfare benefits. #syria
— Virginia Dare (@vdare) September 3, 2015
Pope Francis, however, is calling on people to take a different approach (and he probably has a larger following.)
Pope calls on all Catholic parishes in Europe to host refugee families. http://t.co/bRdnEeG5N5 pic.twitter.com/v6RCaRgEf6
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 6, 2015
And what does this look like from the perspective of those who have crossed dangers to get to the U.S.? Fernando Lopez of the Congreso de Jornaleros in New Orleans relates his experience coming to the U.S. here:
New Post: What the Sea Looks Like from the Desert: #Syria and Global Crisis http://t.co/tkE4idUeU3 pic.twitter.com/HbBAz1r4De
— Not1More (@Not1_More) September 4, 2015