Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Asylum, immigration and anti-racism – an interview with Amal Azzudin

2015; Volume: 3; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1332/204986015x14331614909031

2049-8675

Laura Penketh,

Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees

The fight against asylum and immigration policies and their punitive impact on young people and their families was given high-profile media and political attention when the ‘Glasgow Girls’ at Drumchapel High School campaigned against the detention of one of their school friends in 2005. Amal Azzudin played a key role in fighting for her friend to be released from detention and, in the process, engaged with teachers, other pupils at Drumchapel High School, politicians and the media, raising awareness of the way in which asylum seekers without leave to remain were being treated. The campaign was instrumental in challenging mainstream attitudes and assumptions, and informing policy debates. Amal, in this piece, discusses the campaign and her continuing commitment to fighting against racism and inequality in all areas of society. She offers an insight into the successes that can be achieved when groups come together to fight against oppression in all its forms.