ANTI-RACISM campaigners will hold a rally in Glasgow on July 25 to counter a meeting of the far-right group "Unite the Clans" and to protest growing anti-immigration disorder that has spread across Glasgow in recent weeks.
Organised by a coalition of groups including Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and Women Against The Far Right, and supported by groups like the University College Union (UCU) and Refuweegee, protesters will gather on Saturday, July 25 at 11am at the McLennan Arch in Glasgow Green.
This protest will aim to counter another coalition-led rally, organised by Unite the Clans. It comes after several days of anti-immigration demonstrations in Glasgow.
The anti-immigration disorder – which has seen crowds gather in Cranhill, Castlemilk and Royston – came as social media posts were spread on far-right pages like Unite the Clans and various similar local pages about alleged sexual assaults.
Police Scotland said misinformation was being spread online by bad actors, often from outside Glasgow. Five police officers were injured during the protests.
Anti-racism groups have expressed concerns that “extremists from elsewhere could seek to inflame tensions”. They accused far right actors of using “horrific attacks on women to infiltrate local communities to build their far right street movement”.
On June 18 at 10pm, around 60 men dressed in black organised into four columns outside Glasgow Cathedral. Six days later, on June 24, a similar fascist-style protest was held outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh, The Times reported.
These organised protests came just weeks after racist rioters in Glasgow attacked people based on the colour of their skin amid disorder in the city centre on June 9, and a terror-linked attack allegedly targeting Muslim people in Edinburgh on June 19.
Thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered in Glasgow following the disorder on June 9, drowning out a small far-right gathering that had to be escorted out of the area by police.
Another anti-racism rally was held the following week in Edinburgh, also attended by thousands, closing down part of Leith Walk where several Muslims and their businesses were allegedly targeted on June 19.
In a statement posted on Facebook, SUTR called on people to join the counter protest.
The post said: "The fascist group 'Unite the Clans Scotland' have announced a demonstration in Glasgow on 25th July and invited the likes Britain First to join them.
"We say no to racism, division and hatred! No Pasaran! Assembly point and details to be announced - follow us on social media for more updates!
"Glasgow says no to racism, no to the far right! Spread the word."
