Hundreds of people protest in Glasgow against the deportation of two residents – and block the immigration authority’s vehicle for hours.
Glasgow – On Thursday (May 13th, 2021) around 200 people gathered in Kenmure Street in the Pollokshields district of the Scottish metropolis of Glasgow to demonstrate against the deportation of two men. The migration authority’s emergency vehicle was blocked for hours. A man lay down under the car to obstruct the departure.
Glasgow: Hundreds demonstrate against the deportation of two men
The police gave in to the pressure and released the two men, who according to Scottish media are believed to be Indian citizens, after eight hours to great cheers. “Leave our neighbors alone, let them go,” the demonstrators shouted inside, among other things.
Lakhvir Singh, one of the men, thanked those present with the help of a translator. He was “amazed and overwhelmed” by the support. The 34-year-old told the ITV television channel that “fate” brought him to Glasgow, “where people are closely connected and take to the streets to help one another”. The release caused “the happiest feeling” in him. Both men are said to have lived in Scotland for ten years. However, they do not have a permanent right of residence.
At first there were only five or six people on site, said Singh. However, word of the planned deportation quickly got around on social media, “then there were hundreds”. “I’ve never been so proud of Glasgow,” a local resident told The Herald. “No hostile environment here.” The protest against the deportation in Glasgow was largely peaceful. However, two men and one woman were arrested “in connection with the incident”.
Protest against deportation in Glasgow: Scotland’s head of government criticizes the operation
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon responded on Twitter and sharply criticized the British Home Office around Priti Patel from the conservative ruling party. The fact that the mission was carried out “in the heart of the Muslim community” on the day of the breaking of the fast is “incredibly irresponsible”. However, the men are not supposed to be Muslims, reports The Scotsman. The deeper problem lies with Britain’s asylum and immigration policies, Sturgeon added. Her colleague from the Scottish National Party and Justice Minister Humza Yousaf spoke of a “hostile environment” in the British government, which is not welcome in Scotland.
Shortly after 5 p.m. local time, the Scottish Police issued a statement. “In order to ensure the safety, public health and well-being of all concerned,” the arrested men were ordered to be released. However, the police were not involved in the deportation. The officers were only on Kenmure Street to secure the situation.
Scotland: Protest prevented deportation in Glasgow
Immigration law is governed by UK law in Westminster. A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry said: “The operation in Glasgow was carried out in connection with alleged violations of immigration law.” The two men always followed the instructions of the officials on site. With the “new plan for immigration”, the British government will “remove” those who have illegally entered the UK more quickly in the future. (Lukas Rogalla)