It started with unusual posters being pasted across central London over the weekend, proclaiming the UK as a "Pokemon gym for UK Pokemon only." A stern-looking, giant Charizard character hovers by Parliament next to the words:
"Just because your Pokemon is here, doesn't mean it will stay."
#pokemongohome campaign to highlight #brexit uncertainty. Or a way to augment a unliked reality? pic.twitter.com/vQBqMnGo6V
— Derek (@seTankwart) August 14, 2016
"Illegal Pokemon WILL be deported!" It insists, providing a website link where illegal Pokemon can be reported by suspicious humans. Hashtag: #PokemonGoHome."
Spotted in Westminster this morning. Someone's post-Brexit campaign. #pokemongo #pokemongohome #london pic.twitter.com/U3HqOF771v
— Andrew Blakeley (@ABlakeley) August 15, 2016
Upon reaching the site, the public are reassured that their Pokemon addiction is not at risk. What is instead, are the futures of the over half a million EU citizens who do not know how long they will have the right to live and work in the UK.
The UK voted on June 23rd in a referendum to leave the EU by a slim margin. However, the official negotiations, will only start after Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty is triggered by the UK Government.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will not invoke Article 50 this year, and has given no indication for when she will.
David Felton is a spokesperson for the #PokemonGoHome campaign.
He told Sputnik that he hopes the widespread interest in the smash hit Nintendo game Pokemon Go, can be channeled into awareness of the fate of 590,000 EU nationals living in the UK.
"There has been so much uncertainty. We're hearing that Brexit may be delayed. In fact we don't even know when Article 50 will be triggered. And that is the biggest problem for EU Nationals, this uncertainty looming over their heads, especially for people who have just moved here for work. It's very difficult," David Felton told Sputnik.
#Pokemongohome pic.twitter.com/YV3mQTFV5y
— Aarathi Prasad (@aarathiprasad) August 14, 2016
"I think what we're doing with this campaign ties into the British sense of humour, satire and parody that is innate to the UK."
The #PokemonGoHome team is asking people to sign an online petition pressing the government to make the post-Brexit situation clearer.
"We need a statement from the government saying that we as a country are committed to the rights of people who want to come and live and work here. They have families and friends and a life here," Felton said.
The target is 10,000 signatures, which will be enough for Parliament to respond to the request. As of Tuesday (August 16) morning, roughly 5,000 have signed the petition.
In the meantime, even pro-Brexit advocates are expressing concern over the uncertainty lingering over British politics.
On Tuesday, Gisela Start, co-chair of Vote Leave, the official group which campaigned for Brexit, has warned that EU citizens have been "left in limbo."
Good of Gisela Stuart to start worrying re rights of EU citizens living in UK. Can't imagine why she didn't mention this in the campaign!
— rosetta delisle (@elisled) August 16, 2016
The Labour MP will head a research project on what legal status could be granted to EU nationals; how that would affect custody battles and employment disputes; as well as how best to protect their rights after the UK does leave the EU.
Prime Minister May has thus far indicated that she does want to protect EU citizens' status, but only as long as a reciprocal deal can be negotiated for British ex-pats living in EU countries.
The strategy has prompted MPs from all parties to attack the government for using people as "bargaining chips."
#PokemonGoHome campaigners are optimistic that piggy-backing off the explosion of Pokemania that has enthralled the world, will successfully highlight what, for many, is an unpopular and divisive issue.
"I had such a positive response when I was putting the posters up over the weekend with friends," Felton recalls.
"People came up to us and got it straight away! They told us it was a good idea and that they were interested in getting involved."
"I know it's a bit risky with campaigns like this. We're putting ourselves out there. Some of the comments on articles in the press have been quite critical.
"Still, I'll be putting more up in South London!" Felton said enthusiastically.
