Photography: Simon Murphy

The hostile environment is intensifying. The new Sovereign Borders Bill means, for the first time, that entering the UK ‘illegally’ could negatively impact the progress of an asylum claim. If it comes into effect, only those who arrive via a ‘legal’ route will get help yet less than 1% of the world’s refugees follow ‘legal’ migration routes, such as resettlement schemes.

The historic solidarity and peaceful resistance that stopped a Home Office immigration raid in Pollokshields on the southside of Glasgow on 13 May was an awesome display of unity to defend our neighbours. What can we learn from this experience?

Join this panel for an eyewitness account of the events in Pollokshields and discussion of how collective action can challenge the Home Office. This event hopes to inform, agitate and inspire action to foster anti-racism, and help to continue to build a welcoming culture and a movement to defend the rights of those seeking asylum and a better life in our city.

This panel is being held as part of the Govanhill International Festival. For more information, you can view the festival’s programme here.