STOP RWANDA! Glasgow Solidarity Protest

On Monday 5th September, MEND attended the ‘STOP RWANDA! Solidarity Protest’ which was held in George Square, Glasgow. This protest aimed to hold the British Government to account for their failure to protect basic human rights as they began the process of flying asylum seekers over 6,000 km away to Rwanda while their applications for asylum are processed.

The event was organised by Stand Up to Racism and was supported by MEND, Care4Calais, TUC, PCS, Scottish Refugee Council, Maryhill Integration Network, Afghan Human Rights Foundation and Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees. The rally attracted activists of countless different backgrounds, ages, races and religions. In this loud expression of solidarity with the people seeking shelter and safety on our shores, the sense of unity was immense and as the sun filled George Square so did the people of Glasgow as they came together to send a strong message to those in power.

During the event, Linsay Taylor – MEND’s Scotland Regional Manager and Deputy Head of Community Development & Engagement – spoke about the traumatic experience asylum seekers endure which force them to leave their home countries. During her speech, Linsay emphasised the fact that the arduous journeys which people seeking asylum often endure in their search for peace and security are often incredibly dangerous. This highlights the importance of dispelling the myth that asylum seekers merely seek economic gains in their journeys.

Other speakers in attendance included the prominent human rights lawyer, Aamer Anwer; Kaukab Stewart MSP; Paul Sweeney MSP and Pinar Aksu of the Maryhill Integration Network as well as speakers from the trade unions – STUC and CWU.

We would like to thank Stand Up to Racism for organising this event and for inviting us to take part.