TAKING TO THE FOOTBALL PITCH TO STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

​RAPAR and Football For Humanity have teamed up with other partners to start a football programme which provides a safe place to play for refugees and people seeking asylum. This week, there was a record turn-out at the University of Manchester where participants meet every Tuesday to practise their soccer skills.
 
At the beginning of each session, RAPAR members and others stand in solidarity with people being targeted for the Government’s deportation flights, They are saying to the Government and airline companies #StopthePlane and #StatusNow4All    

​Two more deportation flights are planned for Zimbabwe and Jamaica before the end of August.
 
RAPAR and Football For Humanity have been working with their partners, the University of Manchester, Manchester FA and No Borders Manchester, to devise a football programme which will enable refugees and people seeking asylum to improve their physical and mental health. The programme also promotes human rights and facilitates discussions around immigration, deportations, racism and homelessness.

​A statement from the football group says: “We stand together in solidarity in the fight for social justice.”
 
Members of the group are hoping to take to the pitch for their first match with another team very soon. More details to come!