Thread by @ma_cataluna

Dear @theresa_may,
Yesterday you wrote me a letter about my rights as an EU citizens in the UK.
I reply back in good faith.
(And may I call you Theresa? You called me Maria Ana!)
1/15 (thread)

2. Sadly, much damage has been done. The fact that citizens’ rights were included in the negotiations was enough reason for some to leave.
Discussed in @ScotParl by @willie_rennie (only 2mins listen): bit.ly/2jABfhI
Our @YoungAcademySco Report: bit.ly/2BwXsRX

3. Despite your cheerful tone, many of us don’t feel our rights are secure, as @cliodiaspora rightly puts it. And we still have to apply to secure them, meaning we can be rejected (with scarily high % of errors at the Home Office, as you know).
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

4. This issue affects not only @The3Million + @BritishInEurope directly but also families, partners, friends, colleagues, employees, employers and more. I don't know how many, but a lot more than 4-5million people (and some of them, unlike us, can even vote in General Elections).

5. By not meeting @The3Million or @BritishInEurope , it wasn't clear we were a priority. They have much to discuss with you. It's not too late. @scotgov meets today with EU citzs. Why not have a similar meet. with both groups and actually hear citzs out?

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6. And I know you are busy, but let’s be honest: if there is time to go to a reception by Dacre of the Daily Mail, a newspaper which has done so much to vilify migrants, but no time for the citzs affected, it does send a mixed message about priorities.

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7. So, it would be great if you could rebuke their headlines from time to time. To always be silent on what is clear hate speech is complicit. To attend their dinner parties, worse. Even the UN has recognised this is a huge problem in the UK. Will you? bbc.co.uk/news/uk-371931…

8. And can there be some attention to the tone on EU citzs’ rights? Using words like “offer” or “concession” gives the impression to the public that it is a “favour” to guarantee existing rights, rather than the fair and right thing to do. Would you feel welcome with such a vibe?

9. This seeps through the media: “they are allowed to stay”. If you want to have a “deep and special partnership with the EU”, it is important to create an environment where EU citizs don’t feel and are not regarded by others as second-class citizens.

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10. Looking at the comments below your fb post bit.ly/2AuJrqW, you're getting a hard time for the letter. Someone told you to leave the country, similar to what many of us have heard in the last two years. You have to read the @InLimboBrexit to fully get the feel for it.

11. And kids have also been subject to a lot more racism in schools post-#Brexit vote. Kids, Theresa, kids! Check @MigrantYouth report on this for one example: bit.ly/2jQG9Em

12. In addition to all this, the sheer and prolonged uncertainty that this has generated could be an infringement (by UK and EU) of our human rights, as pointed out by expert @DimitriosGian.
History will not look kindly on this.
theconversation.com/eu-citizens-ri… via @ConversationUK

13. And talking of experts: if it wasn’t for people like @ColinYeo1 and @StevePeers we would be even more in the dark about our rights. I’m grateful for the time they take to explain obscure details of EU and UK migration law. The BBC missed/misprinted details too often lately.

14. So, citizens' rights were negotiated as part of phase 1 and will now continue to be negotiated alongside trade in phase 2 (again: alongside trade). It is a disturbing sight in a Western, developed country. We end up with less rights. Even more disturbing.

15. Some food for thought – might help with some New Year resolutions?
I wish you a Merry Christmas too.
Your sincerely,
Maria Ana