• Mike Love from Together for peace informed the group about the decision of Leeds City Council to receive 200 refugees in the next two years: subject to approval by the board. There was a widespread agreement by the group that the number being offered by the council was unacceptable in light of the magnitude of the crisis. He also informed the group that the council was planning to make some funds available to build capacity of existing organisations working on the issue already.
• Estela also shared her experience as a refugee which brought the urgency of the situation to bear and she expressed a willingness to offer her spare bedroom to a refugee.
• Mike also highlighted the Grace Hosting Project already taking place in the city which involves members of the public providing accommodation to refugees and Asylum Seekers. He noted that this scheme is currently being run by Leeds Asylum Support Network (LASSN) and is worth considering.
• Mavina also noted that it might be advisable and creative to link the spare bedroom for refugees with the bedroom tax as a way of pressuring the government to increase the numbers.
• Mavina said that we needed to be both strategic and focused in our campaign: she suggested that the Anti-Bullying week can be an appropriate time to organise a campaign and that we should see. The anti Bullying week will take place 10-17 October. She also told the group about her charity, Angel of Youths, which can provide a platform to engage young people on this issue.
• There was a suggestion to promote publicity on the issue by designing t shirts, and other items which can bear a positive message.
• Estela made the point that such materials should be largely affordable so that people can buy them.
• There was also a suggestion to go to the Council chambers the following day to demonstrate: using a banner that stated that refugees were welcome in the city.
• Christian from Stand Up to Racism also felt that it was important to contextualise the campaign as an anti racist campaign with an emphasis on public demonstration. He provided a brief history on the rise of the Far right, like the Golden Dawn in Greece, which was putting out a strong racist message in the public. This approach, he contended will involve organising rallies and public demonstrations which will demonstrate solidarity with refugees and he suggested possible dates: 3^rd of October, 17^th of October.
• He also informed the group that UKIP were organising a speaking Tour for Nigel Farage to visit Leeds and they were plans for a demonstration to inform them that Nigel Farage was not welcome in Leeds.
• Kate Meyer mentioned the need to focus the campaign on OPENING THE BORDERS. She mentioned the need to recognise that the situation at Calais was both urgent and important: she also wants another public demonstration to communicate the message that refugees were welcome in the city.
• There was also a suggestion about using info graphics to share relevant information: in order to combat inaccurate information about the crisis.
• Ian also shared the East Leeds Pledge, which stated that the EAST Leeds Constituency were in solidarity with refugees and willing to play their part in welcoming them. He also informed the group about a meeting on the 9^th of October in East Leeds, which was dedicated to the issue. However, he noted that the meeting was open to constituents of East Leeds
• Michael Emly also suggested that we consider engaging faith groups who might be interested in the issue: he also noted that there is currently a shift in public opinion which might make it possible to secure the support and participation of members of the public.
• Someone also mentioned the need to coordinate our campaign with existing organisations that are actively working in the situation; rather than creating anew structure

• The head of the Student Union from Leeds Beckett Union also shared their plan to create a welcome Pack to distribute to refugees: he also demonstrated a willingness to participate in a campaign-especially in collaboration with other student Unions.
• Similarly, Isabelle from Leeds University Student Union also noted that she’d like to be part of the campaign but recognised the gulf between the city and the university: she, however, expressed a willingness to work collaboratively with organisations and people in the city.

• John Ojukwu also suggested a community relations approach to campaigning, which involves reaching out to the members of the community creatively—especially those who might not always share our vision. He raised the question of how to “mobilise compassion” and suggested that this can involve creating a platform to listen to members of the public and an opportunity for them to interact with refugees—using teas to stimulate conversation and friendship. He also mentioned the need to harness the Birmingham Declaration—a document that was released by City of sanctuary-as a campaigning tool.
• Group of Rhino fans were going to game on Thurs and it’s on Sky – and were considering meeting under Big screen on western terrace to display the banner

• Organising committee also decided that we need to schedule a further meeting to discuss public campaigning – potentially next week Tuesday at the Playhouse at 5.30pm or on a weekend.
• There was also a suggestion to put out positive messages through posters on various places such as shops, offices and bus stops.
• It was also suggested that summer camps could be organised for asylum seekers and that English classes will need to be coordinated.

There will be a follow-up meeting at 5.30 on Tuesday 22^nd in the Playhouse café.