From Govanhill Baths:
One year on, we are coming together to commemorate Kenmure Street’s community response to a deportation raid. This is a celebration of the unbreakable solidarity expressed by the community of Pollokshields and beyond, and our ongoing resistance to the cruelty of the war on refugees and asylum seekers.
We will occupy Kenmure Street, Maxwell Square, The Quad and the Bowling Green with music, dance, theatre, talks, panels of discussion, food sharing, activities for young people and much more!
On the morning of 13 May 2021, in the middle of Eid al-Fitr, two of our neighbours living on Kenmure Street in Pollokshields, Glasgow were taken from their home and detained by the Home Office in a van on the street. In response, neighbours and anti-racists organised a spontaneous sit-in protest, surrounded the van and occupied the street for eight hours, until they were released.
This victory made international news. It gave succour to refugees and asylum seekers who live in isolation and fear of deportation and gave confidence to anti-racist activists across the world fighting bigotry, intolerance and racist policies. It proved that ordinary people can and did stop Priti Patel and the Home Office’s war on refugees.
We welcome you to join us against racism and the inhumane treatment of those going through the immigration system reflected through its approach to detentions, evictions and deportations. We welcome you to celebrate a community coming together in solidarity
Schedule
Saturday 14, 1:00 – 3:00pm, Maxwell Square Park
Free food kindly provided by Pollokshields FoodPoint, The Gurdwara and Soul Food Sisters.
Saturday 14, 2:00 – 3:00pm, Bus Stop Kenmure Street
Zia-ul-quran Madrassa kindly providing teas and coffees.
Saturday 14, 12:30 – 4:00pm, East Pollokshields Quad
A host of community activities throughout the day. Big Noise performing from 3:00pm.
Saturday 14, 1.30 – 4:00pm, Stepping Stones Park
The Village Storytelling Centre will be sharing folk tales about resistance and the power of people to come together and challenge the status quo. All stories will be family-friendly and you can stay for as much or as little as you like!
Saturday 14, 12.30 – 4:00pm, Maxwell Square Park
A memory table where people will be invited to reflect and write down or draw their memories and emotions about the protest to create a visual arts memory book which will be open to the public and kept at Govanhill Baths Community Trust.
Saturday 14, 2:00 – 4:00pm, Maxwell Square Park
Sunflower seed planting with Urban Roots and We All Belong to remember refugees that have died fleeing their homes.
Saturday 14, 2:30pm, Shields Community Garden, Shields Health & Care Centre
Freedom from Torture is taking a Human Library approach to hold a community discussion through lived experienced stories of individuals who were victims of torture. Please join us in promoting dialogue, reducing prejudices and encouraging understanding.
Saturday 14, 3:30 – 4:00pm, Bowling Green
Launch: Join Unity Sisters and Govanhill Baths Community Trust for the launch of the ‘No Radio Silence’ educational resource. This is a companion e-book to the film No Radio Silence, offering meaningful class activities to develop understanding of issues involving refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
Saturday 14, 1:00 – 4:00pm, Maxwell Square Park Basketball Court
Children’s art activities led by St Albert’s Primary School.
Saturday 14, 7:00 – 9:00pm, Bowling Green
Celebrating Diversity music and dance event led by The Pollokshields Trust. Family-friendly all welcome.
Stalls Throughout Kenmure Street: Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights • Community Infosource • Freedom From Torture • Glasgow Trades Union Council • Govan Community Project • Honorary Scotians • JustRight Scotland • Love Music Hate Racism (inc music) • Maryhill Integration Network • Migrants for Racial Equality • Refugees for Justice • Refuweegee • Scottish Refugee Council • Scottish Yemeni Foundation • Stand Up To Racism • Unity Sisters