Racist thuggery
Minister slams far-right yobs after clashes with police in George Square
FAR-RIGHT thugs were condemned last night after they attacked a peaceful protest in support of asylum seekers. Police made six arrests as they fought to restore order in Glasgow’s George Square for the second time in days. The group No Eviction Glasgow planned to protest against the living conditions of refugees in the city but aborted the event, saying the location was “not safe”. Hundreds gathered in the square after a “loyalist” group claimed they intended to “protect the cenotaph”. But an angry Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf branded the group “racist”. He tweeted:
BY GORDON ROBERTSON reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk
“Briefed by Police Scotland on disorder in George Sq. Let’s not mince our words, this has nothing to do with statues and everything to do with racist thuggery.”
Those who gathered in the early evening were met by a large police presence. No Evictions Glasgow was due to start its protest from 6pm but said it had been made aware a far-right group would be turning up an hour earlier.
The so-called National Defence League urged supporters to go to the square to “make a stand”.
Many of them could be heard hurling racist and sectarian abuse as tensions increased. Police wielding batons tussled with protestors and formed cordons to stop further clashes breaking out.
Officers on horseback were also deployed.
Last night, police said the arrests were for minor public order offences and reports would be sent to the procurator fiscal.
There were also shameful scenes on Sunday when a group called the Loyalist Defence League descended on George Square to “guard” the statue of Metropolitan Police founder Robert Peel.
Police in riot gear were forced to step in as a small group of counter-protesters was targeted and attacked with missiles.