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Last Saturday in Glasgow, far right activists were among an estimated 350 protestors who descended on George Square for an anti-immigration protest.
The “pro-UK rally” followed widespread disorder in England and Northern Ireland this summer, after false reports that an asylum seeker was behind knife attacks which led to the deaths of three young girls in Southport.
The “pro-UK rally” in Glasgow had been organised by a social media activist called Stef Shaw, who goes by the name, “Glasgow cabbie”. It was promoted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who uses the pseudonym, Tommy Robinson. His intervention prompted a counter-demonstration by an estimated 2500 to 3,000 anti-racism protestors. Neither Yaxley-Lennon nor Shaw attended the event.
Anti-immigration speakers included Niall Fraser, a right-wing political activist formerly with the Scottish Family Party, and Alistair McConnachie, another right-wing activist and regular election candidate. He was accused of Holocaust denial after claiming that gas chambers were not used by Nazis to murder millions of Jews during World War Two. McConnachie denies the allegation.
Around 300 to 400 people attended the anti-immigration protest and it was largely peaceful.
But far right activists were in attendance, including some from fascist group, Patriotic Alternative. Members of the Union Bears, a Rangers football club ‘ultras’ fan group known for links to violence, also took part.
Some of the anti-immigration protestors wore masks to conceal their identities.
The Green Brigade, supporters of Celtic football club linked to violent disorder, were also masked to hide their identities. They tried to join the anti-racism protest but anti-immigration protestors surged towards them and scuffles broke out as they entered George Square under police escort.
The Green Brigade and Union Bears are bitter rivals and sectarian chants were heard. Police formed lines in an attempt to prevent violence and horses were used to separate protestors.
The Green Brigade were kettled by police and prevented from joining the anti-racism protest as a measure to prevent further disorder.
Police Scotland said in advance of the protests that a “proportionate policing plan” was in place to balance public safety with the right to peacefully demonstrate.
Before the rally, Glasgow city council’s leader, Susan Aitken, said that “far right ringleaders” like Tommy Robinson were “not welcome in Glasgow”.
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Words and photos by Billy Briggs. Photos by Angela Catlin.
This article was corrected at 09.37 on 16 September 2024 to state that Niall Fraser is no longer with the Scottish Family Party.
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