Strasbourg citizens demonstrate for policy changes to accept more refugees

A demonstration in solidarity with refugees brought about 300 people to gather in the center of historic Strasbourg on Saturday in order to demand that France and the Region of Alsace change their policies and accept more refugees fleeing instability and violence in their home countries.

"It is time that France and the French change their policy and accept more Syrians who are suffering," declared a spokesman for the Alsace-Syria Association.

He remarked that the Alsatians, well known for their generosity and hospitality, could accommodate more people fleeing conflict in Syria.

"And these are not migrants, these are refugees," he insisted.

Demonstrators placed paper silhouettes on the ground of the square to represent the bodies of refugees who have died trying to escape their home countries and find safety in Europe.

Amelie Piton, who had come to the demonstration after hearing about it on the internet, brought her 3.5 years old son with her.

She pointed out that her son was the same age as Aylan Kurdi, the young Syrian boy who drowned when his family tried to reach Europe by sea from Turkey, and whose image has created an emotional shock around the world after a photograph of his body has been shared by news media and social networks.

"I want him to see that he is lucky to live in peace," the mother said.

Other members of the public who were present said they wanted Alsace to change its policies and accept more refugees.

"We have talked about this for years, but now we are finally waking up," said one woman who wished to be unnamed.

Organized by the Alsace-Syria Association, and supported by the Green Party of Alsace and the local chapter of the New Anti-Capitalist party, the protest had difficulty finding room in a public square already crowded by an annual sports fair.

Strasbourg's Socialist mayor, Roland Ries, announced on Friday that the city would join a growing network of cities standing in solidarity with the refugees. He also announced that Strasbourg would like to host a global forum on the crisis.

Strasbourg sits just a few kilometers away from the border with Germany, which has recently announced that it expects to accept as many as 800,000 refugees this year.

France and Germany reached agreements on Thursday regarding the principal of distribution of migrants between the 28 member states of the EU, a quota system which has divided European leaders.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker is expected Wednesday in Strasbourg where, during the plenary session of the European Parliament, he will address the issue. Enditem