HUNDREDS of people marched through Falkirk on Saturday to mark one year since the start of community-led resistance to local "asylum hotel" protests, the organisers have said.
The Falkirk For All Unity March saw around 450 people gather at Callendar House for speeches from key figures in the movement, before marching into Falkirk holding banners, flags and chanting in support of refugees and condemning the far-right violence that has been seen across Scotland in recent weeks.
Several figures from a far-right opposition group attempted to disrupt the protest, including a man, who due to spent conviction legislation cannot be named, who previously admitted to assault after attempting to break down a door his then partner and son were hiding behind with a ceremonial long-sword.
A spokesperson for the anti-racism rally said he "infiltrated the march itself, behaving abusively towards marchers and police".
Other far-right figures, part of the group Scottish Freedom Patriots, also reportedly travelled to the location of the anti-racism rally to disrupt it, despite it being held away from the ongoing anti-immigration rally outside the Cladhan Hotel.
"For a year, these groups have claimed that their demonstrations are about protecting women and children," the spokesperson said.
"Yet today we saw the same pattern of intimidation, threatening behaviour and abuse directed at women and other members of our community.
"They are not protectors. Women and children should not be used as a political excuse for abusive behaviour.
"Despite their attempts to create disruption, around 450 people stood firmly together and took Falkirk’s streets back from the politics of fear and division.
"The message from today's march was simple: everyone is welcome here. Racism and bigotry are not. The far right may shout the loudest, but they are not the majority, and they will never go unchallenged.
"We will continue to organise, to stand together, and to ensure Falkirk remains a place where everyone can feel safe, respected, and included."
Speakers at the anti-racism rally included Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Talat Yaqoob from Women Against the Far-Right, Councillor Laura Murtagh and the Very Rev Sally-Fulton, former moderator of the Church of Scotland.
In recent weeks anti-immigration disorder has broken out across Scotland, particularly in Glasgow, following a stabbing attack in Belfast and the trial of the man who murdered teenager Henry Nowak.
