Political Urban Solidarity: A Tool for Empowerment and Social Change

Within the literature on migration and refugees, the concept of solidarity has consistently held a significant position. Generally, solidarity is often associated with notions of compassion, and humanitarianism towards refugees and migrants. Alternatively, it can be linked to broader movements such as radical no-border politics and coalitions formed by individuals uniting against oppression. This paper draws on Bauder’s interpretation of solidarity “a productive and inventive practice that generates novel possibilities of politicization and provides opportunities to rethink ways of belonging” (2020, 11) intersecting with the concept of ‘political solidarity’ (Scholz 2008). Drawing upon one year of ethnographic research conducted within the solidarity network of Rete Kurdistan Roma, this study aims to explore political solidarity practices within the urban context of Rome. This argument posits that political urban solidarity can be conceptualized as the process and the practices of establishing spaces of empowerment wherein the solidarity network operates in synergy with migrants, collaborating with them rather than acting on their behalf. This definition of political urban solidarity is distinguished from the broader concept of urban solidarity by its form of overtly political group engagement, an emphasis on moral commitments, individual conscience, collective responsibility, and shared action with migrants.