In May 2021 Sumit Sehdev and Lakhvir Singh living in Kenmure Street, on Glasgow’s southside, were removed from their home by the UK Home Office and detained in a van on the street. Spontaneously, neighbours came together and prevented the vehicle leaving by sitting in the road. Word spread, the number of protestors surrounding the vehicle grew and so forced the release of Sumit and Lakhvir to joyful cheers from the crowd.
Reported worldwide, it was an inspiring and historic victory for antiracist campaigners and a moment no one will forget.
It was the last such raid to date but to make the impact of this community action last we need to continue working.
One year on we are planning a celebration. The Festival of Resistance will remind us the UK Government continues policies based on hostility and racism and our need to continue campaigning against the threatened Nationality and Borders Bill. In the words of Amnesty International, the Bill if passed will create significant obstacles and harms to people seeking asylum in the UK.
Already diverse communities, like those in the southside of Glasgow, feel under threat and at risk.
This festival will give us a chance to bond around the legacy of the action, connect with campaigning organisations, share ideas and share knowledge. International guests will speak about similar actions against the immigration policy during Donald Trump’s presidency.
With thousands expected to take part, on the 13th and 14th of May Kenmure Street will be closed to traffic, brightly decorated and devoted to celebration. Banners will hang from windows, bands and musicians will play on a specially built stage in the local park. Exotic food aromas will fill the air as the music plays and people dance.
To make all this happen we need your support.
An event of this size and scope needs significant resources, whether providing first aid and stewarding to keep people safe, building the concert stage, providing materials for children’s activities, or allowing international speakers to attend. We need your support to pay for these essentials. But you will not only be helping this one festival to take place; you will be helping guarantee the energy and action sparked in Kenmure Street a year ago continues and grows creating lasting change.
Please help make this possible.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Funds will be received and distributed by Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Registered Scottish Charity No. SC036162, and member of the festival organisers.
Organisers include:
Pollokshields Trust; Govanhill Baths Community Trust; Maryhill Integration Network; Refugees for Justice; Freedom from Torture; Stand Up to Racism; Pollokshields Space Force; Scottish Arab Women’s Association; Urban Roots; Love Music Hate Racism; and, Scottish Refugee Council.
Picture credits, with permission: photos ©Jack Wrigley; painting ©Craig Smillie.