People vowed to travel to France to support refugees at a a meeting to show solidarity for those in the Calais camps.

More than 20 people attended the Stand Up To Racism Haringey branch ‘emergency public meeting’ at the St. John Vianney Church in Tottenham.

Among the speakers were Seema Chandwani of the Selby Trust, Gary McFarlane from Stand Up to Racism, and Unite representatives Janet Evans and Alan Watts, who had been on the previous ‘solidarity convoy’ to the camps on September 5.

Ms Evans said: “The thing that was driving me mad was that every time you turned on the radio you heard racism. The barrage of racism that was continually coming was sickening.

“The camp was the most shocking experience of my whole life. Scuzzy little tents, and people living in them.

“When it rains it floods. There aren’t enough toilets. You don’t want to know what happens when they flood. People have got to get angry about it.”

Haringey Council have so far said “they want to help” refugees but have not yet put a number on the amount of refugees they are willing to take in.

Mr Watts said this was not good enough.  He spoke of his experiences visiting the camp: “I met an Afghani guy whose father was shot by the Taliban. There are people walking about barefoot. They are desperate, they have nothing.

“There is now a risk of cholera and other diseases. This is a very serious situation and it is on our doorstep.”

Ms Chadwani said that she has set up a pledge to say that she believes the borough welcomes refugees, and said that Haringey should welcome refugees because of its diverse nature.

She said: “N17 is the most diverse borough in London. I’m 37 and Indian, and I’ve never experienced direct racism. People talk about white privilege – I call it Tottenham privilege.

“We need to say refugees are welcome here, and lead the way here in Haringey. Years ago there was probably a meeting like this to welcome my family; I hope we can do it again.”

McFarlane’s speech was angrier, as he attacked the Conservatives, comparing the splits in their party over refugees to “schizophrenia”.

He said: “This demonization has been going on for months and months. But now people are saying enough is enough.”

The solidarity convoy will travel to Calais on October 17, via ferry. The meeting also set up collection points for warm and waterproof clothing for those in the camps, ahead of the coming winter.

These will be at the Big Green Bookshop on Brampton Park Road, and the Wellington Pub on Turnpike Lane.

The speakers said they hoped for a “100-strong at least” demonstration of support, and also intended to ask MP David Lammy to signing a support statement.