In October 2018, German filmmaker and Films United founder Grig Richters made One Million Steps, walking from Paris to Berlin.
He walked 1400 kilometres (roughly 800 miles) to raise awareness about two thousand unaccompanied children who are stuck in “the world’s worst refugee camp” (according to the BBC), Camp Moria, on the Greek island Lesvos.
The mission: Relocate 2,000 children from European refugee camps, to European countries and provide them with a safe home.
The journey
Grig arrived in Berlin on 9 December 2018. His campaign received the support of over fifty Members of the German Bundestag, the European Commission and the European Parliament. The campaign was also supported by the commission of human rights of the German Bundestag.
Four German cities agreed to take the children, offering spaces for up to 2,000 children. Unfortunately, the main request was blocked by the German Ministry of Interior.
In March 2019, Grig took the campaign to the European Parliament. With the help of Uwe Praetel and Danielle Wilson.
In March 2019 Films United collaborated with British rock band QUEEN and TikTok on a music video and launched the #InThisTogether / #WeAreTheChildren campaign to raise further awareness. The campaign has been viewed more than three million times.
The first music video to the Freddie Mercury / QUEEN song “Is this the world we created…?”. Produced in support of I MARCH FOR YOU.
In April 2019 a group of Nobel Peace Prize winners, spearheaded by Kailash Satyarthi, sent a letter to the leaders of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, asking them to support the campaign and to give the children a safe home.
The countries agreed to take two hundred children and other European countries (including Germany) took some of the children as well.
Nobel Peace Prize winner sends a video message, in support of the I MARCH FOR YOU campaign.
In early 2020, European MEP Erik Marquardt (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance) brought Films United and Grig Richters onboard to spearhead the international part of the #LeaveNoOneBehind campaign which has raised further awareness of the issues. Films United brought several international celebrities onboard like Hollywood actress, Keira Knightley.
The campaign is ongoing.
Keira Knightley pictured, holding up a sign in support of #LeaveNoOneBehind.
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