Senior detective describes disorder at George Square as ‘unacceptable’
BY ANDY SHIPLEY andy.shipley@reachplc.com
POLICE probing a racist attack on a Chinese photographer by right-wing thugs during a protest have issued descriptions of the suspects.
Tommy Ga-Ken Wan has told how he was called a c***ky and punched in the head by loyalists who converged on Glasgow’s George Square to “protect statues” as activists from the Black Lives Matter movement gathered for a demonstration.
Tommy says the racist yobs also attempted to take his cameras as he tried to take pictures when clashes erupted.
In a Holyrood debate, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf later condemned the thugs who targeted Tommy.
The photographer’s ordeal on June 14 began as he took pictures of protests near to the Counting House bar at George Square.
The 34-year-old was approached by two men who shouted sickening racist and homophobic abuse at him.
He retreated towards a Greggs shop beside the square but was then surrounded by a gang of youths who verbally abused and assaulted him. Tommy then made his way to North Frederick Street, where he was racially abused by another group of three men.
He was unhurt but badly shaken and later posted on social media: “I have never felt less safe anywhere in the world.”
Cops are now trawling CCTV footage in a bid to identify his attackers.
All are described as white men, mostly wearing dark-coloured clothing. One had an orange jacket, another a white top with stripes and a third man was wearing a dark jacket with the hood up and a scarf covering his face.
Police are appealing for anyone with information, images or photographs of the incident to come forward.
Detective Inspector Sarah McArthur said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim.
“The disorder which occurred that day is unacceptable and retrospective inquiries continue.
“I would appeal to the law-abiding people who were in George Square that day who may have witnessed this assault or have any information on the males involved to contact us. Any information could assist us in piecing together what happened and identify those responsible.”