MASI Launch - From Fear to Liberty

MASI, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, is launching the second issue of the MASI Journal, ‘From Fear to Liberty', on Saturday 6th August at IMMA from 1.30pm. The journal includes poetry, essays, artwork, and personal testimony by people who are in the Direct Provision system. We are fundraising to help with the cost of transport for people who are coming from the hotels and hostels, food, and entertainment for the launch and party, and to help cover the cost of printing the MASI Journal.

What will your donations be used for?

• transport costs for c.150-200 people coming from Direct Provision centres (c.2500 euro)

• food, refreshments and catering supplies (plates, cutlery, cups etc) for 200 people (c.1000 euro)

• printing costs for 500 copies of the MASI Journal (2,300 euro)

Join the Facebook event page here

Who are we?

The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland is a grassroots organisation based in Ireland. We are people who are or have been in the asylum and direct provision system in Ireland, working and advocating together for justice, freedom and dignity for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Our focus is on the complete abolition of direct provision and an end to deportations, on the Right to Education and the Right to Work for all people seeking asylum.

What are we fundraising for?

The last 2+ years have been hard for many, and particularly hard for people confined in the Direct Provision system. After the last years of acute isolation and hardship, this opportunity to meet in person in celebration and solidarity is of vital importance for us.

MASI members live in Direct Provision in conditions of imposed deprivation. Unlike other activist groups that may have access to financial and other resources and can rely on individual members to cover some costs, MASI does not have any such safety net.

Any money we raise will help cover the cost of transport for people who are coming from Direct Provision centres for the day from across the country. The funds raised will help cover the cost of providing meals for 150-200 people. Funds raised will also go toward journal printing costs and toward art materials and entertainment for children coming for the day.

We need your support to celebrate this achievement. Your support will enable people from all over the country to come together and highlight the realities of the Direct Provision, asylum and deportation system as reflected in the words and images of those who live or have lived it.

Tell me more about the MASI Journal and the launch party?

MASI, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, is bringing out a second issue of the MASI Journal, 'From Fear to Liberty.' The journal includes personal essays, poetry, artworks, research and commentary on the realities of the Direct Provision system and other issues by people who are or have been incarcerated in the open prison that is Direct Provision.

We are having a launch party to mark this achievement and to honour and amplify the work of our contributors. The launch party will be an opportunity to come together once again in solidarity, celebration and resistance after the long separation and isolation of the last 2+ years. This will be the first public MASI gathering in person since our MASI Conference in October 2019 when the first issue of the MASI Journal was launched. We look forward to a wonderful day together to celebrate the creativity and achievement of our journal contributors and the continued existence, strength and solidarity of the asylum seeker-led movement for justice, dignity, and freedom for all and the end of the Direct Provision and deportation regime.

Join MASI in celebration and solidarity for an afternoon of music, dance, food and fun from 12 noon until 6 pm on the beautiful grounds of IMMA. As well as readings by our journal contributors, there will be guest speakers and speakers from MASI, dance, music, food, art and live performances from artists including Farah Elle, Nealo, Go Dance For Change, Catherine Young, NuxSense and Mimmie Malaba. There will also be activities for children. Bring a picnic and bring your friends and family – everyone is welcome.

What other actions can you take to support MASI’s work?

There are many really vital ways that you can support this event and MASI’s work: