{"id":19362,"date":"2021-07-22T14:14:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T14:14:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/?p=19362"},"modified":"2022-03-18T17:23:01","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T17:23:01","slug":"glasgow-protest-against-the-nationality-and-borders-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/07\/22\/glasgow-protest-against-the-nationality-and-borders-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Glasgow protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>This article written by Maria Elena Carpentero Torres-Quevedo was first posted by<em> bella caledonia<\/em>. It reports from the Glasgow \u00a0protest against the \u00a0Nationality and Borders Bill organised by the No Evictions Network. It is followed by a poem by Ewan Girvan read out on the Buchanan Street steps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>1. GLASGOW PROTEST AGAINST THE NATIONALITY AND BORDERS BILL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/notillegal2-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-19363 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/notillegal2-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/notillegal2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/notillegal2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/notillegal2-1-800x1067.jpg 800w, https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/notillegal2-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Standing on the steps of Buchanan Street in Glasgow, Lana, who first arrived in Scotland as an asylum seeker, said: \u201cif someone is not desperate, why on earth would they ever risk their three-year-old child\u2019s life in the ocean? We left our country because there were no human rights, and after taking so much risk and arriving here, now this Bill will again take our human rights away from us\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Last Saturday, she was one of the speakers at a protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill organised by the No Evictions Network in Glasgow.<\/p>\n<p>The No Evictions Network has been central to vital community organising, especially over the past few months. From campaigning for <a href=\"https:\/\/bellacaledonia.org.uk\/2021\/04\/16\/no-evictions-network-campaigning-for-asylum-seekers-housing-rights\/\">asylum seekers\u2019 housing rights <\/a>to playing a crucial role in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2021\/may\/14\/a-special-day-how-glasgow-community-halted-immigration-raid\">resisting the deportation of two locals at Kenmure Street <\/a>in May, the Network\u2019s activity reflects the kind of Scotland many residents hope is in our future. Most recently, they have been working to fight Priti Patel\u2019s proposed new \u201cNationality and Borders Bill\u201d that would impose draconian immigration rules.<\/p>\n<p>The Nationality and Borders Bill (<a href=\"https:\/\/gal-dem.com\/priti-patel-immigration-bill\/\">see here for an explainer by Minni Rahman for gal-dem<\/a>), which will receive its second reading in the house of Commons on Monday 19th July, has received heavy criticism from activists for its criminalisation of refugees and asylum seekers. No Evictions highlight that \u201cThe UK signed up to the 1951 Refugee Convention, which gives a strong legal basis to claim asylum\u201d \u2014 a commitment that this bill fails to uphold.<\/p>\n<p>The UN Refugee Agency describes the 1951 Refugee Convention as centred on the principle \u201cthat a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. This is now considered a rule of customary international law.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/uk\/about-us\/background\/4ec262df9\/1951-convention-relating-status-refugees-its-1967-protocol.html\">They also highlight that a refugee has:<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The right not to be expelled, except under certain, strictly defined conditions (Article 32);<\/li>\n<li>The right not to be punished for illegal entry into the territory of a contracting State (Article31);<\/li>\n<li>The right to work (Articles 17 to 19)<\/li>\n<li>The right to housing (Article 21)<\/li>\n<li>The right to education (Article 22)<\/li>\n<li>The right to public relief and assistance (Article 23)<\/li>\n<li>The right to access the courts (Article 16)<\/li>\n<li>The right to freedom of movement within the territory (Article 26)<\/li>\n<li>The right to be issued identity and travel documents (Articles 27 and 28).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Conversely, No Evictions point out that the N&amp;B Bill could refuse asylum seekers entry to the UK if they have not gained prior permission to enter\u2013 a process that is extremely difficult for those facing urgent and immediate danger\u2013 even criminalising them and sentencing them to anything between six months and four years in prison. It would also limit their right to appeal or challenge a court decision. Furthermore, it would limit their rights to access public benefits by imposing \u2018no recourse to public funds\u2019 and put an end to family reunification for those coming to the UK through other countries. By criminalising asylum seekers, the Bill would push many to seek more dangerous channels of entry to the UK, thereby putting their lives at increased risk.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Immigration-bill-protest-RIC-Banner.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-19364 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Immigration-bill-protest-RIC-Banner-300x223.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Immigration-bill-protest-RIC-Banner-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Immigration-bill-protest-RIC-Banner-768x570.jpg 768w, https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Immigration-bill-protest-RIC-Banner-800x594.jpg 800w, https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Immigration-bill-protest-RIC-Banner.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In response to this Bill, the No Evictions Network, which is run by people with first hand experience of the asylum system, has been organising for a community and governmental response from Scotland. Initially, they <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/no_evictions\/status\/1412795261043216392\">released a statement<\/a> condemning the Bill, explaining its violation of human rights, noting that \u201ccrossing borders is not a criminal offence\u201d and highlighting the lack of a safe route for asylum seekers to enter the UK. They also note plans to hold refugees in \u201cconcentration camps\u201d abroad\u2013 they are referring here to the part of the Bill that enables the Home Office to send asylum seekers to offshore centres\u2013 removing them from any possible integration into a community and keeping their living conditions out of sight from the general public. Finally, they put forward demands asking for clarification of the relationship of the Bill to the 1951 Refugee Convention, details of how much enacting the Bill will cost taxpayers, an estimate of the number of asylum seekers that will be jailed as a result, a commitment to introducing safe routes for asylum seekers, and abandoning any part of the Bill found to be unlawful or unsafe.<\/p>\n<p>Later, they released <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSe8Qn8Pij8MwY-TOz3dp5yu5HoOLbyLHDQW6E52-XIMMrFJow\/viewform\">a petition<\/a> open to the community and local organisations to demand that government representatives take a firm stance against the bill, stating:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have had enough with the sound bites, and the gestures of welcoming refugees. As a dispersal city First Minister, MPs, MSPs and this devolved government needs to take more direct action, and to take more responsibility as the lives of vulnerable people are at further risk\u2026 We need our political representatives to stand up for the principle of refugee protection for everyone seeking asylum in the UK. It is vital that all the Glasgow MPs take a firm stand, and strongly oppose every stage of the Nationality and Borders Bill when the Second Reading takes place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They plan to present this petition to both the Scottish and UK governments.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday the 17th of July, they organised a protest on the Buchanan Street steps in Glasgow. Here, the community gathered to listen to speeches from supporting organisations and members of the No Evictions Network, including a twelve-year-old refugee. The speakers emphasised that those who take already dangerous routes to enter the UK do so because their lives depend on it. MP Chris Stephens also spoke, stating his commitment to keep fighting this Bill and asking fellow Glaswegians to do the same as \u201cit\u2019s not what Scotland stands for\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>No Evictions say that the community response has been very supportive. Savan Nielson, a member of the network, says his inbox has been flooded with messages from people in Scotland that have encouraged him to keep fighting, emphasising the value of the work they\u2019re doing and the belief that \u201cif you live in Scotland you are Scottish\u201d. They plan to keep campaigning and holding rallies. To get involved or find out more details, follow the No Evictions Network on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/noevictions\/about\/?ref=page_internal\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/no_evictions\">Twitter<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/no_evictions\/\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This article was posted at:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">https:\/\/bellacaledonia.org.uk\/2021\/07\/19\/how-the-no-evictions-network-is-fighting -the-nationality-and-borders-bill\/<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">____________<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2. THE NATIONALITY AND BORDERS BILL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Ewan Girvan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>This Immigration Bill is a spell<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Cast by callous Johnston and inhumane Patel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Their logic is all tapsalteerie<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>They peddle truth most insincerely<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>We a\u2019 want tae bring<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Human smuggling tae an end<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>But what they want is<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>No welcome whatsoever and to send<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Everyone back across the channel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Or imprison them for years<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>No this bill is concocted<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Of veiled threats and tears<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Ah mean, if your hoose wiz bombed tae bits<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Or your sexuality wiz questioned<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Or ye were raped and tortured<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>In a regime of repression<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>According tae this evil bill<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What ye have to dae<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Is tae pipe up here and then<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>We hiv just to say<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>And ask yer torturer\u201d Could you be so kind<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>To describe your cruel mistreatment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>And if you do not mind<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Prepare my immigration documents<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>It\u2019s for the UK government<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>I hope you understand<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>They won\u2019t let me seek asylum<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Unless I have my papers in hand\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>No it appears to me that the only thing illegal here<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Is this Bill that traumatises the traumatised with fear<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Cast by the callous inhumanity of Johnston and Patel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>We must deft this bill, Let\u2019s break this spell<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">__________<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">also see:-<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. The aftermath of Kenmure Street challenges us all \u2013 Sean Bell, Source Direct<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"pFFI9kyV8w\"><p><a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/28\/the-aftermath-of-kenmure-street-challenges-us-all\/\">The aftermath of Kenmure Street challenges us all<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;The aftermath of Kenmure Street challenges us all&#8221; &#8212; Emancipation, Liberation &amp; Self-determination\" src=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/28\/the-aftermath-of-kenmure-street-challenges-us-all\/embed\/#?secret=pFFI9kyV8w\" data-secret=\"pFFI9kyV8w\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Further reflections on the battle of Kenmure Street- Smina Akhtar and Alistair Davidson<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"KLaCF28uB6\"><p><a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/23\/further-reflections-on-the-battle-of-kenmure-street\/\">Further reflections on the Battle of Kenmure Street<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Further reflections on the Battle of Kenmure Street&#8221; &#8212; Emancipation, Liberation &amp; Self-determination\" src=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/23\/further-reflections-on-the-battle-of-kenmure-street\/embed\/#?secret=KLaCF28uB6\" data-secret=\"KLaCF28uB6\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Glasgow says \u201cNo Pasaran\u201d to the Hostile Environment &#8211; Robina Qreshi, Director of <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Positive Housing<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Mpbiuyz1UR\"><p><a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/15\/glasgow-says-no-pasaran-to-the-hostile-environment\/\">Glasgow says &#8220;No Pasaran&#8221; to the Hostile Environment<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Glasgow says &#8220;No Pasaran&#8221; to the Hostile Environment&#8221; &#8212; Emancipation, Liberation &amp; Self-determination\" src=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/05\/15\/glasgow-says-no-pasaran-to-the-hostile-environment\/embed\/#?secret=Mpbiuyz1UR\" data-secret=\"Mpbiuyz1UR\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Pimlico Academy students destroy Tory myths on racism \u2013 Anti*Capitalist Resistance<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"hgiLPgBkkt\"><p><a href=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/04\/12\/pimlico-academy-students-destroy-tory-myths-on-racism\/\">Pimlico Academy students destroy Tory myths on racism<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pimlico Academy students destroy Tory myths on racism&#8221; &#8212; Emancipation, Liberation &amp; Self-determination\" src=\"http:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/2021\/04\/12\/pimlico-academy-students-destroy-tory-myths-on-racism\/embed\/#?secret=hgiLPgBkkt\" data-secret=\"hgiLPgBkkt\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article written by Maria Elena Carpentero Torres-Quevedo was first posted by bella caledonia. It reports from the Glasgow \u00a0protest against the \u00a0Nationality and Borders Bill organised by the No Evictions Network. It is followed by a poem by Ewan Girvan read out on the Buchanan Street steps. 1. GLASGOW PROTEST AGAINST THE NATIONALITY AND&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1852,1858,8976,1875],"tags":[9083,9082],"class_list":["post-19362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-how-communists-organise","category-oppression-liberation","category-migrant-struggles","category-scotland-against-unionism","tag-author-ewan-girvan","tag-author-maria-elena-torres-quevedo"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"views":1363,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19362"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19372,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19362\/revisions\/19372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/republicancommunist.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}