THE Scottish organisers of a global protest movement are today making the final preparations for an international show of solidarity with refugees.

Around 13,000 people are expected to join together in George Square tomorrow for the Glasgow Sees Syria event.

The vigil, organised by student Alexis Stearns, sparked massive interest on Facebook and has led to more than 20 sister events stretching from Argentina to Turkey. Co-ordinated under the Europe Sees Syria banner, the events will begin at 2.30pm as the public remembers the refugees who have died seeking safety from conflict.

Commemorations will be held in locations including Helsinki in Finland, Alicante in Spain and Llubljana in Slovenia.

Four have been organised in Germany alone, where authorities expect to welcome 800,000 asylum seekers this year, with others taking place in Bialystok, Poland, and Brazilian city Rio De Janiero.

In Scotland, sister events will take place in Skye, Edinburgh, Linlithgow and Aberdeen, as well as Orkney, Dundee and Shetland.

Meanwhile, fiction fans attending the Bloody Scotland festival in Stirling will also stop alongside bestselling authors as part of the international day of action.

Attendees are asked to bring a candle and consider donating a book to Libraries without Borders, which distributes materials to areas where people have fled violence, war and natural disasters.

In a statement, novelists Denise Mina and Chris Brookmyre said: “People are beginning to realise that it’s no longer good enough to leave humanitarian responses to others.

“Each of us has to take action, and it’s great that crime writers and readers will be united in their support of efforts to address the terrible circumstances facing so many people around the globe.” Fellow writers Lin Anderson and Alex Gray, who founded Bloody Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support crime fans who wish to take part in the call to offer more support to people escaping unimaginable horrors in their homelands.”

Yesterday Stearns, 33, paid tribute to those supporting the movement, saying: “I am blown away by the response people have had.

“Police Scotland have been amazing. The people at the events team have been very encouraging and incredibly helpful in organising the vigil in George Square.

“It has taken a big pressure off.

“Glasgow City Council has not been as accommodating but we don’t need to ask permission. We are within our rights to gather in such a way to make a statement.”

Council officials yesterday said they would offer advice on health and safety to Stearns and her team.

However, the mother-of-two said volunteer stewarding has been arranged following a public appeal for help and a litter clear-up will be held when the crowds disperse at around 10pm.

“Glasgow Girl” Amal Azzudin, a campaigner and community worker, will speak at the event and a children’s choir will also perform.

Professor Alison Phipps, co-convener of the Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network,will also address the crowds.

The event is backed by Amnesty International and also supported by the Scottish Refugee Council,which will run a stall in the square. Scottish Action For Refugees will collect donations of warm winter clothing, tents and sleeping bags at the St Paul’s Building on the corner of John Street and Martha Street.

Stearns said: “It is all in the spirit of quiet remembrance.

“People want to be able to mourn. There is a need to do that in a peaceful environment and this will be a peaceful event.”