Demonstrators gathered in Glasgow last week to object to dawn raids of asylum seekers after a Maryhill man collapsed during a raid. The man was taken to hospital after falling ill when immigration officers unexpectedly arrived at his home.
Officers arrived at seven in the morning to detain and deport, the 67-year-old man and his family on the 23rd of April. The Maryhill man, who has underlying health issues, told the crowd In George square, via telephone about his experience.
He said: “I asked them about my medical condition and my wife’s condition. Then I fell on the floor. I don’t know what happened to me.
“I shocked even my family. My daughter, she was crying. They told me you are not a refugee we will come again.”
The raid stopped when the man was taken to hospital. The family were in the process of appealing a rejected claim for refugee status and received no warning they would be visited by the Home Office.
“Amplify the voices who cannot be here”
Campaigners held signs, chalked slogans on the square and chanted: “Say it loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here.”
Dania Thomas, Ubuntu Women Shelter said: “We are here to raise awareness and amplify the voices who cannot be here as they are either in detention or they are in the process of being deported. Taxpayers’ funds go to into keeping this hostile environment.”
Refugees Welcome
Glasgow hosts the most asylum seekers in the UK. Dawn raids stopped in Glasgow 15 years ago after protests.
Thomas said: “The treatment of refugees is on all of us. They are seriously unsafe and afraid of existing in this city.”
Glasgow MP’s called on Priti Patel, Home Secretary, to “halt such inhumane practices” in a letter concerning dawn raids.
The return of dawn raids comes as refugees have been given the right to vote for the first time in the Scottish Parliament elections.
The protest was organised by several campaign groups from across the city. Protesters wore masks and were socially distanced.
For more information on refugees and asylum seekers please see: Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Migrants | Amnesty International
Lucette Wood 