Friends, You can support our work at the Rural Refugee Rights Network with a holiday donation via an etransfer to homesnotbombs@gmail.com or a cheque made out to Homes not Bombs, 2583 Carling Ave., Unit M052, Ottawa, ON K2B 7H7 (earmarked RRRN). The relentless and persistent grassroots work of the Rural Refugee Rights Network is represented by daily accompaniment and advocacy with some of the planet’s most vulnerable asylum seekers. Our work daily supports those seeking safety from Gaza, Cameroon and Iran to Afghanistan and Syria.  

For over a decade, our work with a loose-knit grouping of folks in both rural and urban settings has encompassed a broad range of activity to uphold the rights of refugees and immigrants, to promote sanctuary as a viable option for those facing significant risk upon deportation, and to work towards breaking down the walls, borders and barriers that prevent some of the world’s most vulnerable people from moving freely and seeking asylum and a better life. 

Along the way, we've reunited a lot of families, stopped deportations, created safe spaces for those who refused to board a plane returning them to torture, and provided action and support for refugees whose cases had simply fallen through the cracks. For the past number of years, our work has included an intensive campaign to open doors for Afghan refugees to get to Canada.

Because we advocate for systemic change to end the suffering of those displaced by systemic greed and violence, we unfortunately cannot offer tax receipts. But what we can point to is a strong record of refusing to see any situation as impossible, and coming up with creative, novel solutions that set precedents so that we can open the door for others who fear they will never again see their kids or their spouses.

As we head into 2023, we have much work to do not only on individual cases, but also on seeking legislative and regulatory changes to end the punishment Canadian institutions regularly inflict on refugees for having had to flee their countries. The Liberals campaigned during the last election on introducing a new visa to bring families together during permanent residency processing. It's a good idea, but one that has to become a reality as soon as possible. Those in war zones, living under impossibly difficult conditions and traumatized by separation, cannot wait a day longer.

To donate to the Rural Refugee Rights Network, please send an etransfer to homesnotbombs@gmail.com or a cheque made out to Homes not Bombs, 2583 Carling Ave., Unit M052, Ottawa, ON K2B 7H7 (earmarked RRRN)

Thanks for your support. 

Matthew Behrens

Rural Refugee Rights Network