Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2016)
Street Roots • July 1-7, 2016 Commentary Page 12 Street papers play vital role in refugee relief Papagiannakis’ small team co-ordinates efforts between the city and NGOs to support refugees in Athens. One such ast year alone, more than 1.2 million response is the Eleonas Refugee Camp. refugees entered Germany, Austria “The situation is not yet stable and will and Switzerland. Many of them get worse for all of us. You cannot stop arrived to the doorstep of a street people fleeing crisis. It is like trying to hold newspaper or magazine just like Street water. It overflows,” Papagiannakis said. Roots. As a result, street papers are in a “The way we are acting is a dead end. We unique position to tell the human story of need to be brave and open to discussing Europe’s refugee crisis. common and cohesive refugee-friendly This was the consensus in Athens when policies across Europe.” delegates from street newspapers around Lesvos Solidarity is a network of NGOs the world discussed how the growing crisis campaigning for better refugee living could affect street papers - and how they can conditions and support on Lesvos - the tiny show solidarity with those already working island destination for many who make the on the front line in Greece. It was the focus perilous boat journey across the of a panel discussion during the Mediterranean. Volunteer Effie Latsoudi International Network of Street Papers travelled from Lesvos especially to attend global summit in June. the INSP Summit Given the scale and She gave delegates complexity of the a harrowing account of crisis, the topics raised the suffering she covered the subject on "We are responsible lo r Ibis. witnessed when a humanitarian, As a netw ork o i jo urn alists refugees began management, political and social organizations we arriving in 2006. and emotional level. need prom ote the idea of wel “We saw conditions One of the main you couldn’t imagine,” conclusions was that - USA BOLYOS Latsoudi said. “You E D IT O R O F A U G U S T IN , A U S T R IA N STREET the current refugee NEW SPAPER BY LAURA SMITH C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R L had families who had crisis is a global issue that not one country - or street paper - can face alone. Street papers can also play a vital role by putting a human face on the issue to encourage solidarity and understanding within communities. “[In Athens] we are doing what we can, but we cannot do it alone,” said Lefteris Papagiannakis, Athens Deputy Mayor in charge of Migration and Refugees. “This, is a black and white issue. We either move on together or we close up shop. We are 28 countries and are facing a very complex situation. Right now we are failing.” lost loved ones in the sea. There was no space in the cemetery for the dead. We had to use a shipping container at the hospital for a morgue. It was obvious we had to help and do something,” she said. “I think Europe has two faces. It’s amazing the number of people who want to help and show solidarity. Then you See Europe politicians saying ‘no we don’t want them, take them back’.” INSP board member Paola Gallo is the managing director of Swiss street paper Surprise. A quarter of Surprise’s vendors Lefteris Papagiannakis, Athens Deputy Mayor in charge o f Migration and Refugees discusses response to refugee crisis. are refugees. She admitted her country is one of many in Europe not doing enough to help. “Half of people applying for asylum in Switzerland are turned away. We decided in next five years want to accept 3,000 people from Syria. It’s nothing to what is needed,” she said. “We need to do more. We have to care about the people, the human beings. Integrate them as soon as possible and make them part of society.” This is a mission many street papers have already embraced, including Austrian paper Augustin. Editor Lisa Bolyos has campaigned for the rights of refugees for many years. She said roughly one third of Augustin vendors are refugees, mainly from Africa. “I live right at the border between Austria and Hungary, the border my father crossed as a refugee 60 years ago. Every day we see people crossing. We know there is a lot of homelessness among these refugees,” said Bolyos. She added that street papers can help rekindle the initially welcoming and celebratory attitude Western Europe first showed towards refugees. Positive editorials and campaigns can help, such as Augustin’s current collaboration with young refugees to secure them free public transport in Vienna. “We are responsible for this. As a network of journalists and social organizations we need promote the idea of welcoming and inclusion,” Bolyos said. Street papers have a long history of giving the marginalized a voice, starting with their own vendors. Greek vendor Mike Samolis told the panel more must be done to inform and put a human face on the escalating refugee crisis. Samolis sells Shedia in , Athens. He was once mistrustful of refugees coming to Greece, but living beside Syrian refugees in an Athens homeless shelter has changed his opinion. “I have [refugee] friends who are scared to go out because they will be attacked. We have to explain to people all over Europe that they are people like us. We have to tell them why they risked their lives to come here,” he said. “Three years ago I didn’t want them here. Now I spend 24 hours a day with them. When I meet them and hear their stories, now I understand.” Courtesy o f INSP.ngo How d PHC N orthwest Beyond Limitations’" 5312 NE 148th Ave. Portland, OR 97230 Free career training for persons w ith disabilities in janitorial an d building m aintenance Requirements: • ...... • •• ': ’ . .............. ............................ • Documented proof o f disability Profidency in understanding and speaking English Pass criminal background check Pass drug test At Health Share, we believe good health is more than what happens inside your doctor’s office. Good health starts in your community and includes staying active, eating healthy food and getting regular check-ups. Share your healthy habits with family and friends. We can all have better health when we share it together. B Disabilities: Questions 2 a ...... Physical, mental health, intellectual, d evelopm ental, and learning P lease C a ll: (5 0 3 ) 2 6 1 - 1 2 6 6 o r (8 0 0 ) 8 7 4 - 7 9 1 7 e m a il: ca re e rs@ p h cn w .co m Better health together. www.heatthshareoregon.org hop Blood Pressure Program / Terrell Brandon Barber Shop North by N ortheast Community Health Center/ Legacy Emanuel Medical Center m b
