‘Refugees are welcome here’
This the chant which was resonating through the quiet streets of Glasgow city centre last night, during the peaceful protest in solidarity with asylum seekers who have been evicted from their homes and forced into hotel detention by Mears, an asylum accommodation contractor attempting to prevent danger due to the pandemic.
When moved into these facilities however, people have been prevented from practicing social distance, denied their previous financial support and provided with inadequate food.
The three key demands which are urgently prompted, with full support of the Glasgow No Evictions Campaign, are an immediate change of hotel food, a reinstatement of financial support and the end of their abominable and inhumane hotel detention.
For this reason, protesters and activists gathered last night at 6pm in George Square to show their support for these people, who have not only been denied the assistance and necessities they deserve as human beings, but also the dignity and freedom they must be assured as citizens in Glasgow. The protestors, whilst holding up banners which furiously declared ‘Borders Kill’, were ironically surrounded by two frontiers of police men standing around the pacific group to isolate it from far right militants who were present in George Square at the same time, in a probable attempt to undermine the solidarity protest. Despite the uncivil efforts to disrupt the gathering, the voices of many young people and activists rose higher, beyond the fickle and shameful hatred, and spoke for a city which is not prepared to tolerate discrimination and hostility in any form. The demonstration, carefully safeguarded by an extraordinary number of police forces, proceeded successfully and marched imperviously in defence of the many individuals who in this exact moment find themselves constrained both physically and socially. This proof of resilience and cohesion is the declaration of a country that is prepared to welcome everyone regardless, unless they discriminate: in that case, there is no acceptance for hate. Scotland must be moved by love, integrity and unity; to welcome asylum seekers and refugees is a civil duty this country has embraced and will continue to undertake relentlessly.
A pandemic is not a good enough excuse to leave anyone behind: the real virus is indifference and injustice. No one is safe until we are all safe. May Glasgow become a lifeboat, a safe harbour and an example of indiscriminate inclusion to the rest of the world.
