They Belong to Glasgow

1st of October 2005

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Above photograph George Square 26-10-05

On the 13th of September 2005, a sixteen strong immigration squad kicked in the door of the Vucaj family's Kingsway high rise flat, in a dawn raid.

The family had been living in Glasgow for the last 5 years and had become fully integrated into the community.    Originally from Kosovo the family now considered Glasgow as their home.   Isan and Nexhi's three children Saida (13), Nimet (16) and Elvis (18) all spoke with Glasgow accents.  Saida in particular knew nothing of the country that the Home Office wished to return her to.

These 'dawn raids', as there were many, generated a strong response from all sections of Scottish society and particulary so from the communites directly effected by the raids.

Scotland's First Minister at the time, Jack McConnell, after months of silence, and under intense pressure, finally spoke out;

From public bodies to children's organisations to school friends, there is recognition that these scandalous immigration practices are causing trauma and distress, and blatantly disregard children's rights. When Scottish society expresses such profound concern, it is right to expect the Scottish Parliament to do likewise.
Jack McConnel - 23rd of September 2005  

The family were deported on the 29th of September 2005.

The following photograhs, are from the emotional demonstration when more than a thousand people marched on Glasgow city centre, in protest at the deportation of the Vucaj family.