Crowds gathered on Denmilne Street today after rumours circulated that asylum seekers would be getting sent to Rwanda.
Migrants are to start being detained by the Home Office after the Rwanda Act was passed last week.
Now residents are “sending a message” to the government as they rallied round to “protect vulnerable neighbours.”
James Granleese attended the protest (Image: Sourced)
Crowds appeared on Denmilne Street (Image: Sourced)
James Granleese, 29, who lives in the city centre of Glasgow is a member of Stand Up to racism and said: “We came today because we got word that asylum seekers are going to be rounded up and deported to Rwanda.
“We want to make it very clear no matter where the Home Office is at, no matter where they want to deport our neighbours, we will be there.
“Just like we were on Kenmure street, in Edinburgh, and all across the country to make sure they can’t get their hands on anyone.
“We will be here without fail every time to stand up for the most vulnerable in the community.
“We will make sure that the van does not leave this street with anyone in the back of it.”
Read more: Rwanda Bill explained as it finally becomes law in the UK
Cheryl Govind showed up to support the protest (Image: Sourced)
Cheryl Govind, 32, is an Easthall resident who attended the protest and said: “We heard there was a deportation potentially happening. We don’t want to see that happen in our community.
“I wouldn’t want it to happen to me or my mum, so we are here united together because division doesn’t work.”
MP David Linden said: “My office was given a tip off that there would be raids taking place in both Perth and Denmilne Street.
“The scheme to deport people to Rwanda is not one that Scotland does not support, we have opposed it at every single turn.
“We will make the case very forcefully today that deporting people to Rwanda is not the way forward.
“We will do everything we can to protect people.”
Residents held banners (Image: Sourced)
Dave Moxham, deputy head of Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), said: “We heard there was a potential raid taking place which is part of the government’s horrible, discredited and disgusting Rwanda scheme.
“Whether or not anything happens today we are sending a message that we will be here when it happens and we will not let this disgusting activity take place on our streets.”
Anne McLaughlin MP for Glasgow North East said: “There were strong rumours the home office was coming to get rid of asylum seekers and threatened to take them to Rwanda.
“People are anxious, we don’t want to put fear and alarm into people unnecessarily but we want them to know it is happening.
“We need the home office to know we will be here to protect people. This is a message to the home office and to anyone who is worried about this.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Now that the Safety of Rwanda Act has passed and our Treaty with Rwanda has been ratified, Government is entering the final phase of operationalising this landmark policy to tackle illegal migration and stop the boats.
“At some stage inevitably this will include detaining people in preparation for the first flight, which is set to take off to Rwanda in 10-12 weeks.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further on operational activity.”
