In Glasgow, thousands came together to voice their opposition to a rally endorsed by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Around 2,000 anti-racism activists assembled in George Square to counter the ‘Pro-UK rally’ supported by Robinson.
Despite a few hundred far-right activists being present, they were significantly outnumbered, and a large police presence ensured that the groups remained apart.
Dismal Turnout for Far-Right Activists
Among the far-right protesters, one man waved a flag that read “asylum frauds go home,” while another sported a Donald Trump 2016 baseball hat.
The scene included a little girl in a buggy holding two Union flags, with her mother requesting that no photos be taken of her.
Tensions briefly escalated when police contained a group of teenage Celtic fans dressed in black tracksuits and fishing hats, leading to a minor confrontation with the far-right activists.
Shouts of “Rule Britannia” from the far-right sparked a reaction, including chants of “racist scum” from the counter-protesters.
Vibrant Counter-Protest
The counter-protest, organized by Stand Up to Racism Scotland, featured book stalls and loudspeakers playing music by Bikini Kill and Blondie.
Homemade signs displayed messages like “we are all human, no room for hate,” “no room for racism,” and “diversity is desirable.”
Suzie Boyd, a retired nurse from Glasgow’s West End, shared that some of her students, who are refugees from Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, Palestine, and Somalia, were too frightened to leave their homes despite the sunny weather.
Boyd emphasized the need for inclusivity and support for refugees.
Solidarity and Arrests
The counter-protest included chants like “cheerio” to tell far-right protesters to “go home,” and several Palestinian flags were prominently displayed.
Other chants included “show me what community looks like” and “fascists go home,” with one banner reading “Jews against Islamophobia.”
Angela McCormick from the Stop the War Coalition stressed the importance of unity and diversity, criticizing the Tory party’s election campaign for its stance on immigration.
In the end, two men were arrested—one on suspicion of a hate crime and the other for carrying an offensive weapon.
Police Scotland confirmed that a comprehensive policing plan was in place, and containment tactics were used to ensure public safety and minimize disruption.
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