That the Parliament notes the joint statement from Perth and Kinross Council reaffirming its status as a Council of Sanctuary; understands that Perth and Kinross has a long established and acknowledged standing as a safe and welcoming community for people fleeing conflict and persecution since the First World War through to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; shares the robust defence of the right to peaceful protest; believes that protests targeting many who have lost homes and family members due to war, do not reflect the compassion, solidarity and fairness long associated with Perth and Kinross; joins the call for residents across Perth and Kinross, and all Scots, not to trust what it sees are misleading headlines and online misinformation about people seeking refuge; understands that this has been a cross-party statement, showing the breadth of support in Perth and Kinross, as well as other cities of sanctuary in Scotland, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow; calls on local authorities across Scotland to take similar action, and stands steadfast in the face of what it sees as increasing levels of hostility and racism, which it believes have no place in Scotland.
Supported by:
Clare Adamson, Alasdair Allan, Ariane Burgess, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Bob Doris, Ross Greer, Patrick Harvie, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, John Mason, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Evelyn Tweed, Mercedes Villalba