Pupils and staff at a Glasgow school targeted by racist trolls have received messages of support from across the city and beyond
St Albert's Primary in Pollokshields has been flooded with kind words as Glasgow City Council confirm the disgusting abuse has been reported to police as a hate crime.
The shocking comments were made online after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited pupils last Friday to mark Climate Action Week.
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Ms Sturgeon condemned the targeted attack and many across the country have also vocalised their support for the multi-cultural school.
Director of Education for Glasgow City Council, Douglas Hutchison, Tweeted: "You believe in love rather than hate @StAlbertsG41 because love draws out the best in us while hate feeds on our smallness. Keep doing what you’re doing and being who you are. Love and goodness will prevail."
Other city schools have also shown solidarity with St Albert's.
Langside Primary Tweeted: "Standing with our colleagues and the wonderful children of @StAlbertsG41. Sending love and respect for all you do. Racism has no place in Scotland."
And staff and pupils didn't were thrilled to find their concrete playground was covered in chalk hearts when they turned up for class yesterday.
'We (heart) St Albert's' was scrawled in the middle of one. The school has been in awe of the goodwill shown by many.
They tweeted: "Overwhelmed with love and support from our community and beyond. We believe love is a verb, it’s we do next that counts. Planning firm, inclusive action."
Following the appalling comments made online, head teacher Clare Harker quickly reported the incident to police.
She said: "We were shocked and horrified by the abuse posted in response to a photo of children in one of our classes. Thankfully the pupils in the photo are unaware of the online abuse as they're so young, but all the teachers and parents are appalled.
"Thank-you to everyone, including the First Minister, for their messages of support for the children and school. Their kind words have helped reaffirm our faith in human beings following the disgusting online abuse.
"People should not be afraid to report hate crime. It is very important that, when it happens, we all do so. In our experience, the police will treat it very seriously. We had officers in the school yesterday and it sends out a very clear message to our older pupils and our wider community that no-one should tolerate abuse - it must be reported."
The council has also voiced its horror after the attack and is fully backing St Albert's fight against trolls.
Councillor Christina Cannon said: "Glasgow is proud to be an inclusive city enriched by its diversity. Our slogan is People Make Glasgow and that means all people. We do not tolerate hate crime and I encourage anyone who witnesses it or experiences it to report it either to the police or via a Third Party Reporting Centre.
"I'm proud that Glasgow is working with a wide range of partners including inter-faith, disability groups and the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Club to highlight Hate Crime Awareness Week. Sadly, the online abuse aimed at children in one of our primary schools is a sickening reminder of precisely why everyone needs to stand up to hate crime."
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