Community Triumph: Glasgow's Kenmure Street Protest Inspires in New Documentary
The extraordinary story of Glasgow's Kenmure Street uprising in 2021 is powerfully retold in an absorbing documentary by film-maker Felipe Bustos Sierra. This event has become a landmark moment, resonating with historical protests like London's Cable Street, showcasing how a diverse community can stand united against perceived injustice.
A Day of Defiance and Unity
On 13 May 2021, during the Muslim festival of Eid, an immigration detention van arrived in Kenmure Street to arrest two men of Indian Sikh background. Whether this timing was coincidental or a strategic miscalculation by the Home Office, it proved to be a critical error. The community viewed it as heavy-handed policing by Westminster authorities, especially as the men lacked immediate legal representation, fueling perceptions of unfair play.
News of the detention spread rapidly through WhatsApp groups and social media, drawing crowds to the scene. The van was immobilized by a single activist, nicknamed "Van Man," who slid underneath and held onto the axle, refusing to move. This act of defiance left Police Scotland stunned and unable to proceed, turning the tables on traditional protest dynamics.
Documentary Highlights and Celebrity Involvement
In the documentary, Emma Thompson voices the anonymous Van Man, using his own words to bring his story to life, while Kate Dickie portrays a local nurse who attempted to provide water during the standoff. The film leverages a treasure trove of footage captured by residents, who livestreamed and recorded the event from high windows, creating a real-time account that attracted more supporters by the hour.
This flashmob effectively halted police operations, with one witness noting that unlike protests in places like Trafalgar Square, where outsiders can be kettled by police, here the police were the outsiders. They stood forlornly around their static van, losing the initiative as the community encircled them, preventing reinforcements from intervening.
A Peaceful Victory and Historical Context
What followed was akin to a political miracle: through persistence and non-violence, the community held its ground. Mainstream media interest surged, and leadership emerged collectively without coercion. There was even a touch of good humour, with protesters and police officers sharing access to mosque toilets before resuming their positions.
Ultimately, the two men were released from the van, securing their freedom. The documentary skillfully interweaves this moment-by-moment account with Glasgow's rich history of socialism, trade unionism, and community activism, such as the "Glasgow Girls" who opposed dawn raids in 2005. It also touches on the city's economic ties to plantation wealth, providing depth to the narrative.
Relevance and Impact
In an era marked by divisive politics and nationalist movements, this film serves as a morale-boosting testament to community resilience. It demonstrates how domineering policing tactics can be countered by a stubborn insistence on justice, rooted in British and specifically Scottish values. Everybody to Kenmure Street premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival and is set for release in UK and Irish cinemas from 13 March, offering an inspiring look at grassroots power and solidarity.
