CAMPAIGNERS called on Haringey Council to house 50 refugee families who have been forced to flee war-torn Syria.

Hundreds of people descended on Haringey Civic Centre, in High Road, Wood Green, waving banners brandishing the words ‘Jesus was a refugee too’, ‘Asylum is a right’ and refugees welcome here.

The petition, which has been signed by 1,295 people, was handed into the authority on Friday, September 11.

It was backed by Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West, who helped hand-deliver the petition with the residents who have signed it.

The event was organised by Lucy Nabijou, who is part of campaign group 38 Degrees.

The 38-year-old said: “Like many others I have been deeply affected by the stories of desperate refugees taking perilous journeys to reach Europe after fleeing the horrors of war.

“The tragic stories of people dying at sea or in the backs of lorries on their way to find asylum are heartbreaking. It is a basic human response to want to do something to help.

“We wanted to tell Haringey that we want them to take action to welcome refugees”.

Catherine West added she was “delighted” to attend the event.

Haringey have stated their support for refugees in a general statement but the petition calls on the council to turn that into concrete action.

So far over 40 local authorities across Britain have offered support for Syrian refugees.

The petition is similar to a pledge by the Selby Centre, in Tottenham, who have started a campaign to let Syrian refugees know they are safe and welcome in the borough.

Haringey Council leader, Cllr Claire Kober, said: “Haringey has a proud tradition of welcoming refugees to our borough and we are committed to playing our part in supporting those affected by this devastating crisis.

“We are ready to step up to support those fleeing violence, and to work alongside other London boroughs to do all we can to help those in need. It is essential that central government offers adequate funding to address the crisis and to enable local councils to offer the right support, and we will continue to lobby for this.

“Long-term planning and a coordinated response is essential to being able to provide effective support for refugees and the local communities eager to help them.”

The petition can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/refugees-welcome-in-haringey-1