A PORTHMADOG man has taken to the streets of Bangor to protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill.

The protest, which took place at the town centre clock tower at 1pm on Saturday, was organised by Joe McDonald.

The 24-year-old, known for his work as vice chair of the local Labour Party branch and as a Black Lives Matter supporter, independently organised the protest.

Explaining why, he said: “I believe this bill is intentionally targeting refugees’ right to asylum, and this could put them at risk of human rights violations.

“The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said the bill will “create an unfair two-tier asylum system and cause unnecessary suffering to asylum-seekers” and would break the 1951 Refugee Convention.

“The point of the protest is firstly to show that refugees are welcome in Gwynedd, and we demand that the bill be scrapped completely. It remains in the committee stage and is awaiting a third reading in the House of Commons.

“Secondly, there should be new measures that not only follow international law, but also stops human traffickers, by ensuring safe passage for refugees who attempt to make irregular journeys, and once they arrive here, they should be treated with decency and compassion, not deported or sent to cruel offshore processing centres.

“We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with thousands of homes that have been empty for over 10 years. I believe denying asylum for refugees who are fleeing war, oppression and poverty is unreservedly abhorrent, and that’s why I have organised this protest.”

Organising a protest against a Conservative bill is not something Joe would have done a few years ago.

He said: “I used to be a prejudiced bigot until 2017, and I used to be a Tory, but after a long journey in education and actually listening to people, I changed and understood that I should stand up for equality, and defend people who are suffering, especially refugees. This is another reason why I wanted to organise this protest. I am proof that with education and listening, we can change public opinion, and live in a more compassionate society.”

Around 25 people joined Joe’s protest.

“We got the attention of passers by and all of the speakers were brilliant and spoke passionately against the bill,” Joe said.

“Quite a few students attended to support the protest.”

The speakers included Joe, another Labour Party activist, the secretary of North West Wales Unite community branch and Buba Ceesay who came to Britain as a refugee.

Joe added: “Thousands of refugees have left everything behind to flee war, persecution and poverty, and have risked their own life paying smugglers to put them in a lorry or give them a dinghy to reach Dover. For me, that demonstrates how desperate these people are. These are families willing to lose everything and risk their lives for one chance to get here. This kind of legislation is not designed to help refugees; it will make refugees more vulnerable to smugglers who are trying to profit from their situation.”