Thousands of protesters gathered in Glasgow as police battled to keep both sides apart, with just two men being arrested. More than 1,000 far-right activists gathered for a planned pro-UK protest in George Square on Saturday September 7 but – were vastly outnumbered by around 5,000 counter protesters from Stand Up To Racism (SUTR).
Hundreds of police officers were deployed to the city centre in an effort to keep the protesters from clashing. The protest came after riots spread across the UK last month following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside.
Misinformation spread online and claimed an asylum seeker was responsible for the deaths. The pro-UK rally in Glasgow was backed by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and due to begin at noon.
But by 11am, thousands of anti-racist protesters were already in attendance with only a handful of pro-UK activists at the scene. Numbers continued to swell as a crowd of far-right protests dressed in black, with their faces covered, marched into George Square.
Trouble flared in the early afternoon when a large group were kettled by police on the perimeter of George Square just outside The Piper pub. In ugly scenes, hundreds of protesters raced out to confront them as cops scrambled to the area.
Officers on horseback circled the baying mob, and others drew their batons to try and prevent pro-UK activists from leaving the area and clashing with others. Both sides were marched up the street surrounded by dozens of cops as the far-right group jeered and chanted, with missiles being thrown from both sides.
Speakers for both groups addressed the crowds with one person from the SUTR group pointing out people were being held back by police. A large number of protesters gathered but those being kettled were held at the scene for two hours by officers.
At one point, an anti-racist protester ran into the pro-UK crowd and attempted to grab a flag but police quickly gathered around him as a throng of protesters charged towards the man. Officers drew their batons and formed a line around the edge of the crowd as a menacing atmosphere filled the air.
Anti-racist protesters could be heard chanting “cheerio, cheerio” as the pro-UK side started to leave the area when the speeches ended. By 3pm only around 50-100 from the far-right remained in the area as the anti-racist protesters sang songs mocking Tommy Robinson.
Police Scotland confirmed that two men were arrested following the demonstrations. A spokesperson for the force said: “A proportionate policing plan was in place for a planned protest in George Square, Glasgow, today.
“A 40-year-old man was arrested for a hate crime and a 20-year-old man was arrested for carrying an offensive weapon. Enquiries remain ongoing.
“Officers contained a small group of people to engage with them, maintain public safety and minimise disruption. Containment is an approved tactic used by highly trained officers where a breach of the peace is taking place or is reasonably thought to be imminent.”
Stop the War Coalition organiser Angela McCormick pinned the blame on former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the previous Tory government for the rise in anti-immigration sentiment across the country. She said: “We are here today so the far-right don’t divide us.
“There’s nowhere else we could be today. It’s about unity and diversity, against racism and fascism. We need to celebrate diversity.
“Rishi Sunak and the Tories ran an election campaign on ‘stop the boats’. Hopefully the grassroots movement shows the Labour government not to concede to these racist agendas.
“They need to see the majority of people are against war and against racism – war creates refugees.”
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