Glasgow: protests against sudden eviction of 600 refugee families
Pupils from Lourdes Secondary School, Cardonald, Glasgow, will be presenting a 1,000 signature petition in person, to the First Minister Alex Salmond MSP on Thursday, in support of their friends and neighbours who are among 600 families facing enforced removal from Glasgow City Council accommodation. The refugee families were given just three days notice to leave their homes and schools, where many have been settled for as long as nine years.
Glasgow City Council will have to foot the bill for homelessness and social services, and council taxes could rise.
The evictions are taking place as a result of the UK Border Agency's unilateral decision to terminate the £10 million Glasgow asylum contract. Faith groups, schools and community organisations are planning to hold a peaceful demonstration calling for the UK Borders Agency to renegotiates a contract with Glasgow City Council.
The UKBA sent out letters of removal to 600 families on 5 November and created mass panic which resulted in agencies being deluged with calls and visits from upset service users.
A spokeswoman from the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees said: "At least two women refugees were hospitalised after breaking down when they received the removal letter. The detrimental impact of the UKBA's communications on Glasgow refugee families cannot be under-estimated. On 7 March 2010, a Russian family of three committed suicide together after being sent a letter from the UK Borders Agency telling them to leave their accommodation.
For more information contact Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees: Margaret 07870 286 632, Jock 07896 877 315