Police are investigating online racist abuse aimed at children from a Glasgow primary school. Comments were directed at children from St Albert's Primary School in Pollokshields, after Nicola Sturgeon made a visit on Friday, September 30, to join pupils in marking Climate Action Week.
The First Minister had shared a picture with the pupils from her constituency, which was met with abhorrent insults from online trolls insults, many of which were directed toward the kids.
The slurs have sparked outrage from across Scotland. Police Scotland are investigating the incident after it was reported as a hate crime.
"Our kids should be visible," Headteacher Clare Harker said on the BBC's The Nine. "They are successful, respectful, clever, creative, they should be as visible as all other schools in Scotland.
"We will not be hiding away because that is what has happened to this community for many, many years. We have a very clear strategy to be visible for the excellence in Pollockshields."
St Albert's staff were left overwhelmed when they discovered someone had drawn hearts in chalk all around the school entrance as a sign of support.
Parent council chair Fauzia Ahmed also praised the headteacher for her response, saying that when she was primary school incidents like this would be brushed off, but now the community was "raising it's voice".
Nicola Sturgeon was quick to condemn the racism and show her solidarity, tweeting: "Every brilliant young person and every member of staff @StAlbertsG41 is worth a million and more of the vile racists who hurl abuse at them.
"It’s my privilege to represent the wonderful, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Southside of Glasgow. I stand with them, always."
Police Scotland said inquiries were continuing into the incident and have ask anyone to report any offensive comments to Police Scotland on 101."
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “This type of online abuse will not be tolerated."
