English actor Jude Law has called on to the British government to save lives of the child refugees waiting to be evicted in the Calais Jungle in northern France. The "The Talented Mr. Ripley" actor appeared at the camp site on Sunday to read out literary and historical letters, and to urge British Prime Minister David Cameron to permit the children who have relatives in the UK to be reunited with them.
Law and other British personalities including Toby Jones, who stars in the "Dad's Army" film, and Tom Stoppard attended the event organized by Letters Live. About 200 people gathered at the camp site. Comedian Shappi Khorsandi and singer Tom Odell were also present. The petition letter urging Cameron to intercede in the refugee crisis in Calais and Dunkirk was signed by 96,000 people including 150 famous personalities, Daily Mail reports.
"These are innocent, vulnerable children caught up in red tape with the frightening prospect of the demolition of the Jungle hanging over them," Law said earlier last week. "David Cameron and the British Government must urgently work with the French authorities to alleviate this humanitarian crisis."
"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch, Jemima Khan, Steve Coogan, and Richard Curtis who also signed the petition, requested to postpone the demolition until the French authorities were allowed to protect the child refugees or they will be permitted to enter into the UK. Law started the event by reading the letter to Cameron. The people in the camp, whom critics called economic migrants, performed songs and read out letters that they have personally written, according to Telegraph.
"This is a humanitarian crisis that needs to be acknowledged as such and it is imperative that we do everything we can to help these innocent and highly vulnerable refugees, especially the minors, as swiftly as is humanly possible," the petition reads. "Such an enforced move would uproot again those who have already had to abandon their homes due to war and persecution."
Law led the group to sign the petition addressed to Cameron last week. He's requesting the prime minister to urge France to stop the plan to demolish the site, which could begin on Tuesday. The eviction will be finalized on Tuesday after a judge ruling, Yahoo claims. According to the charity Help Refugees' record, there are 440 child refugees in the camp site where 291 were unaccompanied. The French authorities were banning the entry of the refugees to avoid their entry to Britain via the tunnel under the channel or the ferries.
The demolition set this week could destroy community facilities including a library, three mosques, and a theatre. Law has been firm in leading the group of British stars to support the child refugees to be brought to the UK. He claimed that it's everyone's responsibility to look after the children. Law said, it's not a big thing to ask, but it's the right thing to do.
