Young migrants from Reus will paint an anti-racist mural for World Refugee Day
Migrant youth from Reus will participate in the creation of an anti-racist mural that will shake the Fortuny neighborhood during the first days of July. This artistic initiative aims to put the fight against racism and the defense of human rights at the forefront from the perspective of migrated youth.
The proposal, promoted by the Reus City Council, will take place at the Adult Education Center on Astorga Street, with the collaboration of the NGO Kakolum and CFA Reus, coinciding with the commemoration of World Refugee Day on June 20.
The mural project: education and artistic expression in Fortuny
What will the migrant youth do?
During July 1, 2, and 3, young people between 18 and 20 years old from Gambia and Senegal will reflect on topics such as racism, migration, and human rights. The initial sessions will be formative and participatory, creating a space to share experiences and design the message that must be conveyed on the mural.
How will the mural be created?
On July 3, the painting will be carried out on the exterior wall of the Adult Education Center, guided by two experts in graffiti. Thus, the wall will not only be a work of art but also a community act seeking to transform social perception about coexistence and inclusion.
Context and local collaborations
Who promotes the initiative?
The Reus City Council, through the areas of Immigration and Solidarity and Cooperation of the Department of Services to People and Social Rights, leads this project. The NGO Kakolum, with a recognized trajectory in defending the right to migrate and social justice, provides experience and support to the participating youth.
Other related activities
The mural is part of a broader program that includes subsequent activities, such as a sewing workshop with African fabrics at the Llevant Civic Center and a Solidarity Cinema session outdoors, featuring the film Returning Home. These actions are supported by the entity La Veu entre Cultures.
World Refugee Day: reading of the manifesto and local commitment
What was read at the Reus City Council meeting?
On the morning of June 19, the Reus City Council plenary session hosted the reading of the World Refugee Day manifesto, driven by the Catalan Fund for Development Cooperation. The text denounces the global human rights crisis, with special emphasis on conflicts such as Gaza, Lebanon, and other forced displacement zones.
Commitment and action from local government
The manifesto calls for legal and safe pathways to protect the lives of people on the move and reaffirms the commitment of Catalan local governments to guarantee human rights and fight racism and indifference. This translates into local actions like the mural and other solidarity initiatives.
If you wonder how all this translates to Reus, here is the answer: a mural that will not only paint colors but also make noise.
Source of the article: Reus City Council
