We confronted the public with posters, showing pictures of real refugees. Underneath, their simple wish: „I want to stay here“.

The posters appeared in places where they were an obvious disturbance.

And led people to a reaction that is often reflective of reality: refugees should disappear as quickly as possible. But a text on the back of the posters pointed out, that this decision is often made too quickly and simply:

"Unwanted.

People from crisis regions frequently seek refuge in countries such as Austria. But often they are not tolerated and simply removed from those places where they look to stay. Like this Poster."

The Idea grew

Via Youtube, Twitter and Facebook we encouraged supporters to print out their own posters and cover public spaces with them.

The response was astounding.

Countless volunteers printed their own posters and took to the streets for the Vienna Refugee Campaign. Within a very short space of time, this simple request became a mantra for the entire refugee movement. Even Austria’s Green Party took part in the campaign.

We put the issue into people’s minds.

The media, policticians and the public began to rethink austrias position of just sending the asylum seekers back to where they came from.

Consequently those 60 refugees are still in Austria today.