In Pictures: No One Is Illegal - We All Belong - March
Last weekend saw the second in a series of demonstrations by Southsiders who oppose the Nationality and Borders Bill, which makes claims for asylum from anyone arriving in the UK, by an ‘illegal route’ inadmissible, while criminalising them and anyone who seeks to save their lives.
Photo of the march by Bel Pye
A march took place on Saturday 29 January from The Bowling Green on Kenmure Street in Pollokshields to George Square. It was the second in a series of demonstrations by Glasgow Southside Against the Racist Nationality and Borders Bill group.
Last year, the local community famously took a stand against Home Office deportations by coming to the support of two men who had been detained and refusing to allow the van to leave Kenmure Street.
Read more: Remembering Kenmure Street
The march joined the Refugees for Justice group who were unveiling a remembrance bench dedicated to people who seek asylum, and in opposition to hotel detention.
According to demonstrators:
“The Bill gives the government unprecedented powers to strip people of their citizenship without warning and in secret. Clause 9 of the Bill exempts the government from having to give a reason or to tell the individual, effectively denying a right to appeal.
“The Bill makes claims for asylum from anyone arriving in the UK, by an ‘illegal route’ inadmissible, while criminalising them and anyone who seeks to save their lives. The Bill also gives the Border Force immunity from prosecution if their actions cause the death of asylum seekers crossing the channel.”
“The bill will allow the government to be able to strip people of their citizenship and not need to tell them. It would mean that only those who enter the country via ‘legal’ routes would have the right to claim asylum; yet less than one percent of refugees arrive through these routes.”
The bill is currently undergoing line by line examination in the committee stage of the House of Lords.
Photos of the march, taken by Bel Pye
