RIOT COPS CLASH WITH PROTESTERS IN GEORGE SQUARE
‘Football risk groups’ kept apart as tensions flare over statue
At this time of crisis that the country faces, I think it’s particularly shameful behaviour
AMAJOR police presence reacted to flashpoints around George Square yesterday as hundreds of people gathered – while tensions increased over statues of historical figures with links to slavery.
Police on horses, in vans and in riot gear formed a ring around the square for hours in the afternoon after a crowd began forming just before noon.
Police Scotland said officers had identified several “known football risk groups” involved in both sides.
It appeared there were three types of people among those within the square.
There was a small group of around 40 to 50 around the Cenotaph, many with veteran’s uniforms on, and some from motorcycle groups, including a few with Blue Angels colours and others with veterans’ motorcycle group insignias.
John McIntyre said he was former Royal Artillery, and was there in his veteran’s uniform with colleagues.
He said: “We are veterans. We are not here to demonstrate or to protest.
“We are here to guard our cenotaph. Our sole aim here is the cenotaph, not the other statues.
“Our grandfathers and forefathers died for this and I feel it is our duty to protect the cenotaph.”
Pointing to the rest of the crowd in the square, he added: “We don’t care about this lot over there. We’re nothing to do with them.”
Inside the square were groups of mainly men, gathered in small groups of around half a dozen to a dozen, ranging in age from their 30s to their 60s, who were standing around acting as a presence should anyone intending to target statues turn up.
The other group, of a few hundred, consisted of mostly young men from teens to early-30s, whose focus was beyond the police cordon around the square, aiming to identify anyone they thought could be protesters.
They seemed intent on confrontation and relished the prospect of violence.
They were mainly dressed in black with faces covered.
On several occasions, they charged towards the streets around George Square.
A group calling itself the Loyalist Defence League had days earlier urged supporters to gather in George Square to protect statues.
In streets around the square smaller groups had formed looking to enter George Square, leading to the flashpoints.
The original Black Lives Matter protest, organised by the Glasgow Youth Art Collective, was postponed due to what organisers say was a lack of access to the square and “police targeting activists”.
It is believed that those protesters were intending to enter George Square from different streets, to target the statue of Robert Peel, the former prime minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police in London, leading to those in the square charging towards them while police kept them apart.
On at least one occasion, police drew batons to force the crowd back into the square.
At one stage a woman was led to safety after a number of those in the crowd surged to surround her.
She was swiftly surrounded by police instead and removed to outside the police cordon.
Following another thwarted surge towards Hanover Street, a number began a chorus of Rule Britannia while facing the police.
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Alan Murray said: “A sizeable number of individuals identified as being from various groups gathered in George Square this morning with a stated intention of protecting statues.
“Throughout the day, police officers were required to intervene due to the presence of opposing groups to maintain order and public safety.
“Both factions included known football risk groups.
“There have been no arrests in connection with the event today.
“As is usual with events of this nature, a review will take place and should any criminality be identified appropriate action will be taken.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted to the incidents.
She said: “Violent protest is never acceptable.
“I say to anyone that has found themselves on the streets of Glasgow in an altercation with other groups or with the police, that they should really take a long hard look at themselves.
“That is not acceptable behaviour at any time, but at this time of crisis that the country faces, I think it’s particularly shameful behaviour.”
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Our Police officers have been at the frontline keeping us safe during pandemic. Today’s scenes in Glasgow are shameful.
“Be in no doubt you will face the full force of the law if you assault a police officer.
“What a contrast to peaceful
Black Lives Matter protests in Scotland last week.”