peeriebryan Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 The Shetland For Sakchai campaign has been short-listed for The Herald's annual award which "recognise the most effective Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year" http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/73756.html In a delicious irony, John Reid (the politician ultimately responsible for the immigration policy that resulted in the attempt to deport Sakchai) is a nominee for "Best Scot at Westminster" for "having taken the "dysfunctional" Home Office by the scruff of the neck" The awards are to be presented at a ceremony on Thursday 16th November Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 (**Mod edit - taken from another thread**) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6156548.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6156548.stm That's great news! I see Tavish has also been named Master Debater of the year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trout Posted November 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Congratulations to all involved. An accolade for the local community - Original story can be found hereAuthor Unknown THE COMMUNITY led campaign to prevent the deportation of Lerwick man Sakchai Makao back to his native Thailand was honoured last night at a ceremony in Glasgow. The campaign to save Thai born Sakchai Makao from deportation made headlines around the world - Photo: Malcolm Younger Photography"Shetland for Sakchai" was voted Public Campaign of the Year 2006 by judges at the Scottish Politician the Year awards, sponsored by the The Herald newspaper and drinks firm Diageo. More than a third of islanders signed a petition calling on the Home Office not to deport the 23 year old as a foreigner with a criminal record. Spearheaded by local man Davie Gardner along with Mr Makao's employer James Johnston and his former head teacher Joe Irvine, the campaign was brought to the Holyrood and Westminster parliaments. After weeks of uncertainty, Mr Makao eventually won an immigration hearing in July this year, in which the tribunal said the campaign had played a key role in their decision by demonstrating the "intensity" of community support for the young man. Accepting the award last night Mr Gardner said the recognition was a victory for "justice, compassion and humanity". He added: "The whole community won this. It is an incredible accolade to them and without them Sakchai would probably back in Thailand. We have a massive thank you to say to Shetland and to everybody around the world. This accolade is for them, not for us." Meanwhile Shetland MSP and Scottish transport minister Tavish Scott was voted Debater of the Year, while health minister Andy Kerr was named Politician of the Year for introducing the controversial smoking ban in public places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 From the Herald website http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/74686.html Also honoured was the amazing community spirit shown by the people of Shetland, who rallied behind Thai-born Sakchai Makao when he was facing deportation. More than a third of the islands' 22,000 population petitioned the Home Office. Their faith in 23-year-old Sakchai was confirmed when a court upheld his appeal and he returned to the warmth of his adoptive home. The campaign was nominated by the public, and the award was accepted by Sakchai and campaigners Davie Gardner, James Johnstone and Joe Irvine. Mr Gardner said: "This was not only a victory for the campaign itself but a victory for justice, compassion and humanity." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieG Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Hello everyone Just to say how delighted and honoured we all are that the Sakchai for Shetland Campaign won the title of Public Campaign of the Year at last nights Politician of the Year award in Edinburgh sponsored by the Herald and Diageo. The award really is what it says on the tin - it was for the FULL Shetland community involvement, right from our national and local politicians through to those who wrote e-mails to the Home Office and signed the petition via the local and national media and of course you all at Shetlink. You share a major part of this award for sure and that was recognised on the night I promise you. John Reid was not at the awards event and did not win the award Westminster Scot of the Year that he was nominated for either. Angus McNeill won that for highlighting the cash for peerages issue - a worthy cause and a real decent guy who can hold his dram as we found out. The First Minister Jack McConnell also came across to speak (off his own back) but Sakchai had no idea who he was, which was pretty amusing. We also met Alex McLeish and a braw few others besides. Wish everyone who helped us out could have been there with us So once again thank you Shetland from everyone at the Campaign, especially for winning the battle for us in the first place and also winning the community this award. Regarding the finances - there will be an official and detailed announcement published shortly, but the legal bills are now all in and ready for payment. They amount to just over £10,000 and we have around £7500 in the bank which will be transferred to cover most of these costs. The reaminder will be met by Shetland Recreational Trust. This at least ensures there will be no need for a 'debate' about what to do with any surplus. All accounts will be available for audit should anyone require this. Finally can I just say a massive thank you to the editor of the Herald, his team and Diageo for making us so welcome at the awards event last night - Tavish for hosting us for lunch at the parliament (and a dram or two at his house in Edinburgh after the awards) - its not as big as the media would have you believe I can assure you. Also congratulations to him for winning the 'Debater of the Year' award at the same event last night. Once again thanks so much to each and everyone of you. Davie and the Sakchai for Shetland team and Sakchai Makao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Great stuff!.........now I just hope that the politicians in Westminster and the civil servants who hide behind them have learned that the Great British Public can and will fight back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aWordinyourEar Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Great stuff!.........now I just hope that the politicians in Westminster and the civil servants who hide behind them have learned that the Great British Public can and will fight back.Here here,and I want to offer my congratulations to all who took part in the campaign and all those who make Shetlink such an effective vehicle for linking people. I think this recognition of your victory is not just a sign to the politicians but an emblem to all that ordinary people have power if they just raise their voice. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Njugle Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 And a big thank you to you, Davy, for coming back to the forums to give us all an account of the excellent event in Edinburgh, as you said on Radio Shetland, a brilliant way to wind up the whole campaign. Much appreciation. Njugle Shetlink Team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieG Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Just as a terrific postscript to all this, there is a brilliant article in the Hearld today from Ron Ferguson......well worth a read. http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/74838.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAStewart Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Wow, it was a surprise that it won, but I guess thats how good we are up here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted June 6 Report Share Posted June 6 I'm bumping this thread to the to of the forum becuase Shetland News have just posted a story noting that it's 20 years since Sakchai was snatched! https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2026/06/06/remember-like-yesterday-years-sakchais/ What a great story, and how time flies! thebfg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinner72 Posted June 7 Report Share Posted June 7 Time flies indeed. I was still a lowly lurker at the time but followed the story here as it unfolded. A testament to all involved and also to Shetlink, showing what positive local social media can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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