A far right group accused of being a front for neo-Nazis is trying to recruit at Scottish universities.
Generation Identity Scotland/Alba is part of a European-wide movement that opposes Islam, immigration and multiculturalism.
One of its members has been linked to the banned neo-Nazi group National Action and GI members in France were exposed last month for racist attacks and Nazi salutes.
GI Scotland put up posters at both the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University an attempt to recruit new members.
Both universities have removed the posters and an investigation has been launched with Police Scotland informed.
A GI poster put up at the Department of Vision Science at Glasgow Caledonian University said: “You are not alone. Patriots walk amongst you. Join the patriotic revolution.”
https://twitter.com/GID_Scotland/status/1074643722183294976
GI Scotland tweeted a photograph of the poster and said: “The worst thing you can do in these dark times is to remain silent. Join the fastest growing, patriotic movement in the UK. To find out more, send us a DM or email us via our website: https://www.generation-identity.org.uk #Scotland #GenerationIdentity
After the same poster was put up at Glasgow University, GI Scotland tweeted: “Many are ostracised at universities because they do not share the ethnomasochistic tendencies of their fellow students and instead want to preserve their ethnocultural identity. #GenerationIdentity have a message for those students. You are not alone; patriots walk amongst you!”
https://twitter.com/GID_Scotland/status/1074643722183294976
A spokesperson for Glasgow Caledonian University said: “Three posters were removed as soon as they were discovered. The University has launched an investigation and notified Police Scotland in accordance with government policy. Glasgow Caledonian has a zero tolerance approach to literature which appears to promote extremist views, runs counter to the values of the University and is illegal.”
A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said: “A poster from the organisation Generation Identity was removed from University premises and any others which appear will also be removed. Literature of this kind has no place on our campus.”
Unite Against Fascism urged people in Scotland to oppose GI’s attempts to get a “foothold” here.
A UAF spokesman said: “As traditional Nazi parties like the National Front or the BNP have fallen apart new groups like generational identity are a dangerous next generation of fascists. They are savvy with social media, produce slick videos and they do high profile stunts all aimed at drawing young people into their poisonous web of hate. They are also clever with their use of language shying away from making obvious racist statements but we can see from across the continent that whenever they get organised violent racist attacks follow.”
Patrick Harvie MSP, of the Scottish Greens, said: “There is a serious threat from far right extremism in this country, and it is troubling to know that this group is targeting Scottish universities to peddle their message of hate. I’ve already raised this with the University of Glasgow at the highest level, and I believe they take this threat seriously. I would urge anyone on campus, or indeed anywhere in Scotland, to ensure that any such extremist activity is challenged and given no platform.”
Jacob Bewick of Generation Identity Alba/Scotland is an alleged former associate of National Action, according to anti-fascist group, Hope not Hate.
Revealed: neo-Nazi terrorists are behind Scotland’s newest far right group
GI Scotland started recruiting in Scotland via social media in 2017 but anti-fascists shut down its first public meeting in Glasgow.
Generation Identity says on its website: “Generation Identity (in some countries, ‘Identitarian Movement’) is a Europe-wide patriotic youth movement that promotes the values of homeland, freedom and tradition through peaceful activism, political education, and community & cultural activities. We want to create an awareness for a metapolitical patriotic value base.
“The crucial questions of the 21st century will be asked in the field of identity politics. Accordingly, we, as patriotic Europeans, have to acknowledge that the current demographic situation is unfavourable for the indigenous population and that we expect many ethnic, cultural and religious conflicts unless there is a political rethink.
“We aim to preserve the cultural heritage that has characterized our countries and the continent of Europe over many thousands of years. We do not want to break this chain.
“That is why we see it as our mission to argue for a peaceful and secure future within Europe. We continue along the path forged by the ethno-cultural tradition of our ancestors.”
This article was published in the Sunday Mail on December 30, 2018.