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A vibrant “Stories of Hope” exhibition and cafe style event to explore what life is like for EU citizens living in NI

NI didn't vote for Brexit. Close to 150,000 EU citizens living here were denied a say at all despite our lives being on the line. This change has had a lasting impact - we feel the heat daily in the moments once taken for granted. Last year the eVisa was rolled out to all migrants and now there are plans for digital IDs for everyone born and living here. Electronic borders and barriers between people and peoples are being erected at every step. 

All this as well as racist riots and anti-migrant political and media climate make it tempting to retreat from public life, but instead, we must insist on being heard! 

It’s time for us to be at the decision-making table and not merely on the menu. Together, we have the power to change the way we are treated in the media and by decisionmakers.  But it starts with us. If we want to be heard, we need to be willing to listen to each other’s experiences first. To reconnect and build strength as a diverse community.

We invite you to join us for a vibrant “Stories of Hope” exhibition and cafe style event to explore what life is like for members of our communities in NI and if anything has changed for you, for better or for worse, ten years on from Brexit and 20 months into the Labour government. 

The exhibition showcases EU citizens’ perspectives on the themes of identity, belonging, and aspirations through the art of photography. Through reflecting on their stories we hope to provide a platform to express ourselves and share our unique narratives and explore what we can do to have our voices heard and have a say in how Northern Ireland is shaped.

You may also be interested in the FixTheDigitalStatus event on Tuesday evening.