COMEDIAN Frankie Boyle, writer Paul Laverty, and former first minister Humza Yousaf are among the famous faces calling on Scots to join a “reclaim our streets” rally in Edinburgh in response to allegedly terror-linked anti-Muslim attacks in the city.
A 36-year-old white Scottish man appeared in court on Monday charged with five counts of attempted murder “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection” after a series of alleged stabbings in the Scottish capital.
Video shared online appeared to show the suspect shouting about “protecting our country” and “Muslim bastards”.
A rally to stand with “the victims of the racist attacks” has now been called for Edinburgh, with organisers calling on people to gather at 1pm on Saturday, June 27 at Montgomery Street Park.
Scots comic Boyle said it is “important to resist the general drift in this country towards racist scapegoating”.
“Idiots on the far right are being empowered by the cavalier attitude of the media and political classes,” he added. “Solidarity with everyone in Leith marching to protect their communities.”
Yousaf, the former SNP leader, said: “When dog-whistles about Muslims are blown every day by those in parliament, and sections of the media, it is hardly a surprise that people then act upon it.
“It is time for all decent and good people to come together and demand action in tackling the corrosive and damaging impact the far right are having on our society and communities.”
Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, the co-leaders of the Scottish Greens, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also backed the rally.
In a joint statement, Greer and Mackay said: “The anti-Muslim attack in Leith and the scenes we have witnessed in Glasgow, Greenock, and Belfast show that now more than ever we must stand together against hate.
“We need to stand with the communities that others would seek to marginalise and scapegoat and say loudly, and with one voice that the only people unwelcome in Scotland are bigots and fascists.”
An open letter signed by those supporting the rally states: "We will stand in solidarity with the victims of the racist attacks in Leith, as well as those targeted in Belfast, Glasgow and elsewhere. At a time when many people in our Muslim, Black, Asian, migrant and refugee communities feel frightened and under threat, it is vital that we come together with a clear message that racism and the far right will not divide our communities or drive people from our streets.
"We refuse to allow fear to replace solidarity, or hatred to replace hope. Every act of unity weakens those who seek to divide us. The far right want people to feel isolated and afraid. This rally is about showing that our communities stand together."
Earlier in June, racist rioters on the streets of Glasgow targeted people based on the colour of their skin following a stabbing attack in Belfast.
In response to the disorder, fuelled by far-right agitators, thousands of Scots protested on Buchanan Street. A small counter protest saw Nazi salutes thrown and scuffles with the police.
