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Protesters against dawn raids give Tony McNulty the send-off he deserves

"Positive Action in Housing" | 27.03.2006 18:48 | Anti-racism | Migration | Social Struggles

50 protesters, including asylum seekers, church ministers and charity workers gave Tony McNulty, immigration minister - the man who refuses to end dawn raids on Scottish soil - the send-off he deserves, letting him know in no uncertain terms that asylum seekers are Scotland's future lifeblood and are needed and wanted here, but he is not.

Protesters booed the immigration minister as he went to his car outside the Radissons hotel in Glasgow where he held a press conference. They then followed McNulty to the city chambers in Glasgow where he met council official regarding the proposed housing contracts for dispersed asylum seekers. Around 150 protesters waited at the city chambers for Mr McNulty, who refused to come out of the main entrance when he saw the strength of feeling amongst the crowds. Council officials then offered him a side exit to leave by. Mr McNulty gladly took it.

However, astute protesters, including Paddy Hill, Church of Scotland Minister Reverend David McLachlan, the Singh Family, actor Peter Mullan and Sandra White MSP located the side entrance and approached the City Chambers side entrance. Behind the tall iron gates, Mr McNulty was trapped "like a rat" in the city chambers tunnel inside his car and was unable to leave for 20 minutes while protesters blockaded the side exit to the chambers.

Said Robina Qureshi, Director, Positive Action in Housing:
"It's a pity because all I wanted to ask him was why he won't stop dawn raids, and why he insists on making asylum seekers destitute on the streets of Glasgow when they have nowhere else to go in this world. I don't think he has a heart to even answer that question. So he was trapped like a rat in a tunnel by the protesters and got the send off he deserved. Mr Mcnulty was not welcome in Glasgow in November and he is still not welcome today.

"Today Glasgow spoke loud and clear and the message is leave our communities alone, we need and want asylum seekers. Mr McNulty is not welcome here with his barbaric inhumane practices on Scottish soil, and I doubt if he'll be back for a while. We want asylum seekers here because they are Scotland's future lifeblood. We demand an amnesty for those already here. Such an approach would complement the Fresh Talent initiative and the one Scotland Many cultures campaign launched by the Scottish Executive."

"Positive Action in Housing"
- e-mail: home@paih.org


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  1. MNCULTY IS A SCUM BAG — notocrossrail

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