Thousands attend anti-racism rally in Belfast

1 day ago

Paul Hastie, BBC Scotland and

James Cook, Scotland editor

BBC

A black-clad group scuffled with police officers on Buchanan Street

An anti-racism rally in Glasgow has been disrupted by a masked group following violence in the city earlier this week.

Thousands of campaigners who marched along Buchanan Street in the city centre were met by several dozen far-right demonstrators who clashed with police.

The black-clad group - including at least one performing a Nazi-style salute - scuffled with officers as campaigners shouted "off our streets".

A similar rally was held in Belfast on Saturday after homes, businesses and vehicles targeted in violence across the city this week.

Police Scotland said the Glasgow rally passed "without major incident" and only one arrest - a 53-year-old man who had threatened an officer.

The masked group, some waving Israel and Union flags, had been separated by barriers and line of police officers.

The scene on Buchanan Street - one of Glasgow's busiest shopping areas - became tense as the group attempted to break through the police line.

Projectiles including eggs and drink cans were thrown.

Thousands of anti-racism campaigners filled Glasgow's Buchanan Street

BBC News witnessed one masked man performing a Nazi-style salute as police tried to clear a passageway for the group.

Seconds later, officers pulled another man to the ground before handcuffing him and leading him away.

Police Scotland said several individuals were issued with city centre dispersal orders and a number of reported hate crimes would investigated.

Police Scotland said a "significant policing operation" had been put in place to support public safety and minimise disruption this weekend.

'Without fear of hatred or intimidation'

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: "Our role is to facilitate lawful activity, protect the public and respond appropriately to any incidents that may arise.

"We recognise the concerns felt within communities, particularly following recent events in Belfast, and we understand that those concerns may be heightened.

"It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation."

Stand Up To Racism had organised the "reclaim our streets" march.

Politicians at the rally included Labour MSPs Paul Sweeney and Pauline McNeill, along with Green MSPs Iris Duane and Holly Bruce.

Former SNP Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart and human rights lawyer Aamar Anwar also attended.

A man performs a Nazi-style salute as police separated the masked group

Earlier this week, three men were arrested and charged following disorder in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Five people were injured, including two police officers, after hundreds of people wearing masks marched through the city centre.

On Wednesday, a 32-year-old woman was charged with a hate crime over a protest outside a hotel in Greenock that has been used for asylum seekers.

Another two men were arrested near the Holiday Inn Express over anti-social behaviour offences.

A line of police officers separated the anti-racism campaigners and the masked men

ACC Waddell said there must be no repeat of the disorder and violence in the city earlier this week, when people were "targeted because of the colour of their skin".

He added: "The behaviour witnessed as rightly been condemned across Scotland as it does not reflect the country's values.

"There is no place in Scotland for racism, hatred or violence of any kind."

The disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media.

Hadi Alodid, 30, originally from Sudan, was charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie.

In parts of Northern Ireland hundreds of masked people took to the streets and violence followed.

The disorder was restricted to pockets of Belfast and other towns, but across Northern Ireland schools and shops closed early, and public transport shut down.