Arrest warning to protesters
PROTESTERS have been warned they face arrest if they engage in “violence and thuggery” at demonstrations this weekend. Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said police are aware of “a few” planned demonstrations and protests to take place on Saturday and Sunday.
He said Police Scotland respects people’s right to “freely and peacefully express their views”.
But he condemned attacks on officers and the public during recent protests and stressed that coronavirus lockdown restrictions remain in place.
There has been a large police presence and several arrests at protests held in the past two weeks.
On Saturday, police vans lined George Square in Glasgow as an anti-racism protest took place, with more than 100 officers in attendance including riot police and mounted officers.
The rally followed disorder in the square on June 17 after far-right loyalists disrupted an event calling for more rights for refugees.
Mr Higgins said: “Recent disorder in George Square saw people hijacking a peaceful event with the intention of violence and thuggery.
“This remains completely and utterly unacceptable and we will not tolerate these scenes, including attacks both physical and verbal on the public and our officers.
“My message to those who have been involved in the disgraceful scenes witnessed over the last couple of weeks is that if you continue to behave like this then to be arrested.”
He added: “We have a comprehensive policing plan in place with access to additional resources that can be deployed very quickly to respond to incidents of disorder anywhere in Scotland.
“However, I would remind people that the lockdown restrictions remain in place and people should only leave their homes for very limited purposes.
“Anyone who wishes to protest should find another way of doing so that keeps everyone safe.”
The police warning follows councillors and an MSP questioning the response of officers to recent protests in Glasgow city centre.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie and Kim Long, who represents the party on Glasgow City Council, wrote a joint letter to chief superintendent Hazel Hendren.
They said: “There is a strong impression that a lower-key approach has been taken to the protests by far right and loyalist groups than was taken in relation to Saturday’s anti-racism demonstration.
Ruairi Kelly, an SNP representative on Glasgow City Council, also wrote to Ms Hendren claiming “fascist thugs were able to run wild in George Square”.
Ms Hendren said: “It’s important to reiterate that significant police resources were deployed at George Square to prevent the disgraceful scenes of violence and disorder witnessed in previous days.
“Those who turned up to protest were facilitated with an appropriate policing response.” be prepared
We will not tolerate these scenes