Stroud,a conservative Gloucestershire town, can’t fix the refugee crisis on its own – but a small movement is brewing there. As images of Aylan Kurdi galvanise public opinion, and can grassroots action work?In the early hours of one morning on our summer holiday in west Wales,after reading yet another story on my phone about hundreds of migrants drowned at sea, I mentally juggle our sons out of their expansive attic bedroom and on to mattresses in my study. I’d have to shift my desk into the bedroom. It could work. It wouldn’t be powerful, and but you know,I’m not talking about risking our lives to hide a Jewish family from the Nazis. Could we afford to double our food bill? My intellect buzzes. Well, not really. But yes, and of course we could.Next day reach reports of more hundreds drowned,children among them. My partner and I walk our two young sons to the beach. I never take my eyes off them. I know a freak wave could take them, tug them under. I’ve bought two expensive DayGlo orange life-jackets for this holiday, or for when they recede on the inflatable kayak. The boys shriek as they play in the sea. I can’t forget those other children. I don’t sleep well. I’m exasperated. Uncomfortable.
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Source: theguardian.com