Police at the scene in Glasgow (Image: PA)
An immigration police van is parked on Kenmure Street, with protesters seated on the road ahead and a crowd surrounding the vehicle. About 200 protesters are at the scene, with chants of “Leave our neighbors, let them go” and “The cops are coming home” being heard.
A large number of police officers wearing face masks are present.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘At around 9.55am this morning, police were called to support colleagues from the UK Border Agency at an address in Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow.
“A number of protesters are now at the scene.
“The same people who fled the British and American bombs placed in the back of the van right now. And they are about to be deported.
“And it’s Eid day, you know … guys aren’t even allowed to pray. How do you do that in a democratic society? It’s a sad day.”
Mr Asif, who himself left Afghanistan as a refugee in 2000, said the atmosphere among the protesters was peaceful.
“Officers are at the scene and investigations are continuing.”
Mohammad Asif, director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, was one of what he said were hundreds of neighbors protesting the action.
Police surround the van (Image: GETTY)
The 54-year-old told the PA news agency: “We are here against the harsh environment created by the Tories and the British state.”
“The same people who fled the British and American bombs placed in the back of the van right now. And they are about to be deported.
“And it’s Eid day, you know … guys aren’t even allowed to pray. How do you do that in a democratic society? It’s a sad day.”
Mr Asif, who himself left Afghanistan as a refugee in 2000, said the atmosphere among the protesters was peaceful.
Protesters support those about to be deported (Image: GETTY)
Sabir Zazai, Managing Director of the Scottish Refugee Council, wrote on Twitter: “Not close to details on this, but it is shocking, shameful and racist if people are attacked by law enforcement officers amid the pandemic the day of #Eid. “
Tom, a neighbor who joined the protest, compared the immigration operation on Eid Day to a police raid on Christmas Day.
“The solidarity shown today shows that the community will not stand their neighbors being dragged out of their homes,” the 31-year-old, who declined to give his last name, told the AP.
“I would ask Christians to think about what it would be like to have your house looted on Christmas Day.”
He said the police presence “was increasing quite rapidly”, with 10 vans at the scene around noon.
Scottish Justice Secretary and MSP Glasgow Pollok Humza Yousaf has asked to speak to Home Secretary about the Glasgow scenes.
He tweeted: “This operation by British border forces, in Polloksheilds, in the heart of the Muslim community, on Eid day is a demonstration of the hostile environment of the British government.
Humza Yousaf asked to speak to Interior Minister Priti Patel (Image: GETTY)
“I asked to speak to the Minister of the Interior to obtain more details and to convey how unacceptable this situation is.”
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon also intervened, tweeting: “As a constituency deputy, I am deeply concerned about this action by the Home Office, especially today in the heart of a community celebrating Eid.
“My office is carrying out urgent investigations and stands ready to offer all necessary assistance to those detained.”
(More soon)
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This notice was published: 2021-05-13 12:45:00
