THOSE who have lost their lives travelling across borders have been commemorated in Machynlleth.

On Saturday, February 8, members of Mid Wales Refugee Action (MWRA) and supporters gathered at the Machynlleth clock tower to commemorate the lives of 15 people who were shot with rubber bullets and who drowned as they tried to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco.

There have been many examples of death and disappearance at European borders, with many thousands more having lost their lives in the desert, at sea, having gone missing, or becoming victims of forced trafficking.

The event was part of an European-wide day of action with events taking place in Brighton, Manchester, Berlin, Marseille and Machynlleth amongst others.

Carlos Alonso, one of the event organisers said: “We will not forget those who have lost their lives or went missing in their search for better lives and to escape war and persecution.

“We will provide a space for remembrance and we will collectively build something from our grief.”

He added: “We will not be alone and we will not give up. We will continue to fight for freedom of movement and human dignity for all in our daily lives.”

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s deadliest border crossings, with thousands of deaths and people reported missing annually.

“Without safe and legal migration routes and with the European Union externalising its borders, people will continue to lose their lives crossing the sea,” added Carlos Alonso.

The event was important to members of MWRA personally, as well at a time when life is increasingly uncertain and difficult for those with the experience of migrating or seeking asylum in the Wales and UK more broadly.

Mid-Wales Refugee Action is a grass-roots community organisation working to support refugees here in Mid-Wales and in Europe.

MWRA aims to support refugees by providing volunteers to help in camps and distribution centres, fundraise and collect donations such as clothes, bedding and other essential items.

For more information visit midwalesrefugeeaction.org/