Little Amal comes to Camden [Simon Lamrock]

• I WAS really inspired to walk with Little Amal last weekend, along with so many Camden residents and councillors, (Thousands turn out to walk with ‘Little Amal’ as Camden celebrates refuge status, April 6).

To see Little Amal welcomed with open arms by communities in West Hampstead, Kilburn and King’s Cross was truly inspiring.

Little Amal, inset, is the 3.5m puppet of a Syrian child refugee and has come to represent the plight of asylum seekers across the world.

Our walk with Amal started at JW3, where we learned about Passover, before moving to Palm Sunday at the Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate, and then finally it was on to King’s Cross where we shared an Iftar.

Amal’s visit to Camden could not be more timely. Set against the national vitriol against those coming to Britain, Camden showed what it means to be welcoming.

I feel a sense of pride, as I’m sure many others do, seeing the way that our communities have thrown their arms open to refugees from Syria, Ukraine and more.

Sadly recent events have shown that this hospitality is not universal, and attacks by far-right groups on asylum seekers’ accommodation is totally unacceptable.

Let’s maintain our welcoming spirit and stand with those fleeing to this country from war and persecution.

ANNE CLARKE AM
Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet & Camden