Glasgow's Kenmure Street Protest Immortalised in Award-Winning Documentary
On a clear spring morning in May 2021, UK Immigration Enforcement chose Eid al-Fitr to raid a property in Glasgow's diverse southside, detaining two men. Within eight hours, hundreds of local residents surrounded the enforcement van, preventing its departure in a spontaneous act of civil resistance that led to the men's release. This extraordinary event is now the subject of the documentary Everybody to Kenmure Street, directed by Felipe Bustos Sierra, which has earned a special jury award at the Sundance Film Festival.
A Forensic Look at Community Mobilisation
The film provides a granular anatomy of the protest, drawing primarily on footage captured by participants on the day, sourced from social media and individuals. Over four and a half years, Bustos Sierra painstakingly assembled this material to present the developing scene from multiple viewpoints, offering a forensic counter to online misinformation. Through leisurely interviews, the documentary introduces a diverse cast: a neighbour in pyjamas, a community activist alerted by text, a local imam, and a schoolkid heading to biology class, all united by the event.
Historical Context and Cultural Significance
Bustos Sierra, who grew up in Belgium after his Chilean father fled Pinochet's coup, highlights how the protest reflects Glasgow's activist heritage, incorporating archive footage of rent strikes and shipyard occupations. He notes that the initial outrage over the raid on Eid was replaced by a readiness, with participants spiritually prepared from Ramadan. As one Muslim activist remarks, "They had the time. We had the water." The protest also saw practical solidarity, with a nearby bus shelter becoming a makeshift station stocked with donated drinks, snacks, and Eid cake.
Key Figures and Anonymous Courage
The film features younger activists like Roza Salih of the Glasgow Girls, who previously fought against child detention, and addresses Glasgow's complex history, including its associations with the transatlantic slave trade, as noted by curator Zandra Yeaman. A pivotal moment was the courage of an activist known as Van Man, who slipped under the vehicle and wrapped his arm around the axle, enabling the protest. He remains anonymous, with his recollections voiced by executive producer Emma Thompson, adding a touch of charm and defiance.
Relevance in Today's Political Climate
Five years on, with anti-immigration sentiment rising and Reform UK poised for gains in Holyrood elections, the film's message of hope and community action resonates strongly. Activist Pinar Aksu emphasises, "People need to hear a story like this now. We don't always have a victory at the end of our stories, but hope is all we've got." Bustos Sierra, who lived nearby but did not join the protest initially, sees the film as an act of atonement, underscoring the importance of collective action and empathy.
Everybody to Kenmure Street premieres at the Glasgow Film Festival on 25 February, serving as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities unite against injustice.
