Everyone who signs up to our campaign has their own reasons for doing so: Brexit affects us all in different ways. However, when we asked our supporters what their reasons were, some common themes emerged.
1. We are Europeans
“I am a citizen of Europe. I want something that recognises this and allows me to declare that identity.”
“As far as I am concerned I am a European and I am devastated that I am having this identity removed from me against my will. Most borders are artificial, and change over time. We are all just part of the human race.”
“Being European is a fundamental part of who I am. It’s a part of my identity and symbolic of my values.”
“I did not realise that I had a real sense of European identity until that citizenship was taken away from me. Associate citizenship would perhaps allow me to reclaim it.”
“European describes my identity much better than British or English. I want my identity to be less about nationality and more about our shared beliefs and values across the whole continent.”
“I am an EU citizen. I am part of Europe. No government should be able to take this from me.”
2. We never chose to lose our EU citizenship
“I voted to remain, along with many other people, and our voices have not been heard.”
“It is unfortunate that a marginal majority gets to determine the fate of those who wished to remain. Whilst I respect the outcome of the referendum, my choice to consider myself European should also be respected.”
“I didn’t have my EU citizenship revoked due to my actions – they removed my EU citizenship without my permission and without any consideration for my opinion. I should have the right to be given back what I never asked to be taken from me.”
“There are many benefits which I have appreciated up until now and I strongly oppose being forced to lose my EU citizenship by people who probably don’t even use theirs.”
“My country, Scotland, voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, and I refuse to just stand back and allow my European citizenship to be torn away from me.”
“I consider myself European and thus voted to remain. I don’t see why my rights should be withdrawn when I never voted for it.”
“Just because a minority of the British electorate vote to leave the EU this should not determine my human right to remain an EU citizen. I will forever see myself as an EU citizen regardless of my birth country’s government decision to exit the EU.”
3. We believe in the European project
“I believe in the unity of countries and that we are stronger in a community than alone.”
“It’s exciting to feel part of a multicultural, peaceful, international community where ideas can flow freely and people can live, love and work wherever they wish. I am devastated by the loss of this and by the increased hostility towards people from other countries and racism I see everywhere.”
“My grandfather fought in the first world war and came back determined that we should never be so disunited again. I believe we are catastrophically failing in our duty to our fellow humans in pursuing an agenda of division and isolationism.”
“I identify and resonate with the core values upon which the European Union was founded, and believe it’s a fantastic form of governance enacting vital data protection as well as environmental and financial law.”
“I want to continue living in a civilised, modern way. I have worked on many enlightened, European-funded projects which have helped people to learn vital new skills, or conducted significant research into important issues like working conditions, health and wellbeing and violence against women.“
“My grandparents fled Germany and Poland in the war. I want to keep my identity as a European and send a message that I still care about partnership with and peace in Europe.”
4. We want the right to live, work and travel across Europe
“I do not want to lose the rights, freedoms, and privileges that I have as an EU citizen.”
“I am British but I live and work in France. I do not wish to be looked upon as a non-European or foreigner in the country in which I live just because the political games are changing direction.”
“I have been lucky to live and work in other EU countries and am devastated about losing the opportunity to do so again. The EU gives us such a wealth of cultures, languages, people, and I am not ready to leave.”
“I have family living in the EU and wish to continue to be able to visit them with no restrictions. Living and working together in a union is far better than living alone – we have so much to learn from other people and their lifestyles.”
“My right to work, study and reside in the EU is something I value greatly and I am angry that my country is seeking to strip it away from me.”
“It honestly breaks my heart that I won’t have the right to travel and see many friends and family in Europe with ease. I don’t want to lose out on that for the mistakes of my parents’ generation.”
5. We want to keep opportunities for future generations
“I wasn’t old enough to vote in the referendum – now I feel robbed of something I never even had the chance to enjoy.”
“It is my sincere wish that my children and all children around the country are given their identity back and the benefits of being part of the EU affords them.”
“I was not allowed to vote in 2016 and feel that my voice has never been heard nor represented. Neither have my children’s.”
“As a former languages teacher I know how important it is to get to know people who speak those languages, to see them as friends not aliens. I spent years trying to open the eyes of the children I taught to the world around them, and I am watching with sadness as the barriers are being put back up.”
“I wish my children to have the ability to work and travel freely in Europe. With globalisation the world is getting smaller so we need to unite and encourage European links.”
“I see Brexit as a nostalgic, hopeless, unrealistic attempt to step backwards into the nineteenth century. I feel it as a personal impoverishment which will harm my children’s and grandchildren’s future.”
