A charity has transformed Tommy Robinson's march through London into a fundraising initiative for refugees, raising more than £130,000 so far. The initiative, called 'Tommy Chooses Love', encourages supporters to pledge as little as 2p for every metre that Robinson and his estimated 50,000 supporters walk during their Unite the Kingdom rally this afternoon. The longer the march, the more money raised.
Charity's Response to the March
Choose Love, a charity that supports refugees and displaced people worldwide, set up the initiative. CEO and co-founder Josie Fernandez Marelli stated that they do not condone the march in any way. 'This is not about celebrating it, it is about drowning out hate with love and sending an even louder message that refugees are welcome here,' she said.
Last year, Robinson's rally covered 1.5km. This year's march is expected to follow a route from Kingsway, along The Strand, via Trafalgar Square, and down to Whitehall. For an individual pledging 2p per metre, the total donation would amount to £30.
Widespread Support and Fundraising Success
Launched only two weeks ago, the initiative has gained widespread support. The charity announced that donations have exceeded £100,000 and, at the time of writing, have surpassed £130,000. The campaign has engaged supporters through social media and by plastering hot pink posters throughout London streets. The posters read: 'TOMMY ROBINSON IS CHOOSING LOVE (AND THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO ABOUT IT)'.
Fernandez Marelli emphasized the importance of standing up to anti-refugee rhetoric. 'Refugees make up less than 1% of the population in the UK. They are not the reason that people can't get a job, or proper housing or an appointment at the GP,' she said. She attributed the UK's real problems to years of austerity, cuts, and economic impacts from the COVID pandemic, urging the government to address these issues without scapegoating vulnerable groups.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
While the majority of online engagement has been positive, some members of the public have expressed concerns. One user wrote: 'We should be taking every possible measure to stop them from moving a single step. There can be no celebration in them marching. The right getting to march is not an inherent truth and we have lost something in accepting that it is.'
Celebrity Support and Fund Allocation
The initiative has seen collaboration from celebrities such as Nish Kumar, as well as interactions from Jameela Jamil and Sharron Gaffka. Funds raised will go towards supporting refugees, including hot meals, shelter, emergency search and rescue missions, care for unaccompanied children, support for LGBTQ asylum seekers, and holistic care for pregnant women. Fernandez Marelli added that the money will also provide essentials for newborn babies, education workshops, and anti-racism training.
