JCWI/Movement Against Xenophobia posters to appear at stations across the UK with the message that it is time to celebrate, not vilify migrants
A new poster campaign by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and Movement Against Xenophobia (MAX) aims to celebrate migrants and challenge negative political rhetoric on immigration, BBC News reported today.
Over £50,000 was raised through crowdsourcing to fund the campaign, and posters began appearing at London Underground stations this morning. Further posters will appear at hundreds of tube and railway stations from next week.
The posters aim to put a human face to immigration and feature individual immigrants underneath a common 'I Am An Immigrant' headline.
The MAX website explains: "Immigrants are part of the fabric of our society. It's time to celebrate, not vilify."
Ahead of May's election, JCWI says it is "gravely concerned" by politicians' rhetoric on the issue.
Saira Grant, JCWI's legal and policy director, told BBC News that the tone of public discussion about immigration is "contributing to a climate of hostility and fear".
The No5 Chambers barrister S Chelvan is among those featured on the posters and he told BBC News that the negative rhetoric has led to the "dehumanisation and stigmatisation of the migrant."
The poster campaign aims to challenge that rhetoric.
"The extraordinary support we have received from ordinary people shows how fed up many are with the hostility and scapegoating experienced by immigrants," JCWI's Habib Rahman said.
"Thousands are saying they reject intolerance and want to celebrate our diverse and inclusive society."