Sleeping Out

I'll be sleeping here (see pic) tonight, George Square in the center of Glasgow. I think Stuart will also be doing this, and Lynn would have done likewise but as she's already split herself into about four bits so she can be in several places at once she won't make it.

This is not however some mad Glasgow bloggers sleep out, but is part of the Still Human Still Here campaign in protest against the enforced destitution of asylum seekers.  This grand old square has a history of protest, most infamously "Bloody Friday" in 1919 when Tanks were stationed in the near-bye Salt Market area of the city, and English Troops sent to quell any trouble. Hopefully tonight will be a good deal more peaceful than events in 1919!

why am I doing this?

In my work and daily life I’ve come across many people who are either in or have been part of the asylum system. I’ve been struck by their deep humanity, by their fortitude in believing that life can be good, that we can be kind and caring , when many of their experiences mitigate against such a view. I therefore want to take part to show my solidarity with them, to say ‘we care even if the system does not’. I also want to help highlight to the wider public the issues that surround asylum – yes these are complex but if we peruse justice (i.e. sending people “home” who are not genuine asylum seekers) without any grace, mercy or compassion, then what we end up with is not justice but tyranny.

Comments

[emma]

If I was still in Glasgow I would love to be a part of this... hope it goes well Brodie.

[jason77]

Spot on man, if I lived there I would be there as well!

[lynn]

Hey I made it for a wee while, including giving a presentation at a Core Leaders meeting, going to a farewell do for a much loved previous boss who fell out a tree and brought his retirement forward by a year, and marking 50 papers for a the SQA.....(managed to fit in the daytime performance of the school concert)

as I type this in the early hours of the morning I spare a thought for you Brodie, who I left a couple of hours ago beside some beer, bananas, press folks and several Glaswegian....errrr......men who'd partaken of a few ginger beers........let us know how it went.....