World Refugee Day Umbrella Parade

20 June, Central London

On World Refugee Day, 20 June, join us for an Umbrella Parade where asylum seekers, refugees and supporters will march together through London carrying huge white umbrellas to celebrate the protection of refugees.

Everyone will carry a huge white umbrella, as a symbol of care and shelter, representing our proud tradition of offering safety to those in fear for their lives. The umbrellas will be available free of charge at the meeting point. Similar parades are also taking place in eight other cities in Europe so we will be marching in solidarity with thousands of others across the continent.

We need as many people as possible to join us, and make as much noise as possible! Please tell all your friends and help us celebrate the fact that we offer a place of safety to those who have suffered war, torture and persecution.

Where and when?

On 20 June, collect your umbrella at 1.30pm at Horse Guards' Avenue where the parade will begin. The parade will take us past the Houses of Parliament, across Westminster Bridge, and finish in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park outside the Imperial War Museum – just over a mile away. Please bring a picnic to enjoy at the end of the march if the sun is shining!

The parade is a Refugee Week event and is being held in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Refugee Week partnership, which includes Amnesty International, British Red Cross, Oxfam, Refugee Action and Student Action for Refugees. We are working together with ECRE, the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, to co-ordinate the activity across Europe.

Please come along and support this exciting event!

More details to follow. Tell us you are joining us by joining the event on the Refugee Council Facebook page or by emailing RW10@refugeecouncil.org.uk