A crowd of protesters erupted into cheers and applause as two men detained by a Home Office immigration were release after being held since 10am this morning in Glasgow.
The peaceful crowd surrounded the van after the Border Agency conducted an early raid on a property on Kenmure Street in Pollokshields in the south of the city.
After hours of protest Police Scotland announced the men being held would be released.
Incredible videos show the moment the men walked free from the van crowds cheered.
Both men were walked to a local mosque where they were met by family and friends.
Both men looked relieved and delighted as they waved to the crowd - thankful for the astonishing support they got from their city.
We previously told how dad Baldev Singh, whose son Lakhvir was taken in the raid, told how he was “thankful” to protesters.
He told the Daily Record: "I am very upset. My son has been taken. We are very thankful to the protesters. We hope for a solution."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Today’s events were entirely down to @ukhomeoffice actions. @policescotland were in an invidious position - they do not assist in the removal of asylum seekers but do have a duty to protect public safety. They act independently of ministers, but I support this decision.
“I disagree fundamentally with @ukhomeoffice immigration policy but even putting that aside, this action was unacceptable. To act in this way, in the heart of a Muslim community as they celebrated Eid, and in an area experiencing a Covid outbreak was a health & safety risk.
“Both as MSP and as FM, I will be demanding assurances from the UK government that they will never again create, through their actions, such a dangerous situation. No assurances were given - and frankly no empathy shown - when I managed to speak to a junior minister earlier.
“Lastly, I am proud to represent a constituency and lead a country that welcomes and shows support to asylum seekers and refugees. The day when immigration policy is the responsibility of @ScotParl can’t come soon enough.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Police Scotland, has now said: “In order to protect the safety, public health and well-being of all people involved in the detention and subsequent protest in Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, today, Police Scotland has, following a suitable risk assessment, taken the operational decision to release the men detained by UK Immigration Enforcement back into their community meantime.
"In order to facilitate this quickly and effectively, Police Scotland is asking members of the public to disperse from the street as soon as possible. Please take care when leaving the area and follow the directions of the officers on the street."
