STREETS OF HATE
Day that centre of Scotland’s largest city was crippled by powderkeg marches and counter-protests, as disorder f lares for second time in just over a week
TEN people were arrested yesterday and a police officer taken to hospital as sectarian tensions flared yet again in Scotland’s biggest city.
The centre of Glasgow ground to a halt as hundreds of police battled to contain the threat of violence when two Irish republican groups marching through the city were met by groups of loyalist counter-protesters.
As shoppers and tourists thronged the streets on a sunny Saturday afternoon, scores of police motorbikes, cars and vans lined the march routes, while boats patrolled the River Clyde and a helicopter hovered overhead.Fearing a repeat of the violent clashes that took place in the city on the Friday before last, the police put on a huge show of strength, with horseback patrols and officers on foot armed with riot gear.
People going about their usual business faced significant disruption as hundreds of marchers and protesters waved flags and shouted sectarian chants.
Teams of police were seen running through the streets and several roads were blocked off to limit the spread of disorder. One officer was taken to hospital after he was hit by a thrown firework. Ten people were arrested for charges including carrying an offensive weapon, being drunk and disorderly, obstructing the police, sectarian breach of the peace and public order offences.
The ugly scenes so soon after the last outbreak of violence are sure to reignite calls for an urgent crackdown on sectarian marches.
Yesterday, Police Scotland said more than 1,000 people had taken part in the processions and counter-protests.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: ‘The majority of those who took part listened to us and complied with our instructions.
‘A significant number of those who attended as part of counter-protests were intent on stopping the proces
sions from taking place but were prevented from doing so by prompt and decisive police action.
‘I am, however, disgusted at the recklessness and stupidity of those who decided to throw pyrotechnics, one of which injured an officer.
‘I utterly condemn any acts of violence and would like to thank officers and staff whose dedication and professionalism helped us successfully deliver a first-class policing operation on what was a very challenging day.’
Annie Wells, Scottish Tory MSP for Glasgow, said: ‘It is concerning that these marches are having such an impact on the lives of ordinary Glaswegians. The businesses and individuals whose lives are being disrupted should be considered when marches are authorised.’
Two pro-Irish republican processions were given the go-ahead by the city council last week despite violence flaring at a similar event in the Govan area of the city at the end of last month. Glasgow City Council announced it would not refuse permission, despite the ‘significant disorder’ at the previous event.
The first march yesterday began just after 2pm, in the Calton area of the city. It was led by local republican group Cairde na hÉireann (Friends of Ireland) and attended by around 250 people. With mounted police leading the way and flanked by officers, they set off to the sound of the Sean McIlvenna Republican Flute Band, with the crowd singing ‘Go on home, British soldiers’.
Passing through the Saltmarket, the march was directed onto the Broomielaw, which runs beside the River Clyde. Around 15 police cars and riot vans lined the street.
At around 3pm they were greeted by around 200 counter-protesters, some of whom were waving Union flags and singing Rule Britannia. Police hemmed in those opposing the march until it had passed.
Later, a second march, led by the Friends of the IRPWA (Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association) and dissident republican political group Saoradh set off from Blythswood Square, surrounded by police, and headed to the Broomielaw.
Protesters waiting on Argyle Street shouted ‘IRA off our streets’ as they went by. Around 30 gathered outside the Premier Inn and booed loudly as the march passed by.
One man was quickly submerged under a crowd of officers after producing a Union flag.
At 4.30pm, tourists riding on an
open-topped sightseeing bus which was being held back by police watched nonplussed as marchers approaching Argyle Street were booed by loyalists.
Marchers unfurled Irish flags, held up signs bearing names of republican prisoners and chanted ‘Get the Brits out now’.
Counter-protesters responded with jeers, whistles and booing.
Tourist Mike Williams, 71, of Auburn, Alabama, said: ‘I was walking to my hotel and wondered what it was all about. It’s weird, what’s going on.’
Student Bracken Robertson, 22, said: ‘I was really scared.’
The marches and protests eventually broke up around 6pm.
Late last month, riot police, a helicopter and dog units were called in after trouble flared following an Irish Unity march and counter-protest in Govan.
A march organised by the James Connolly Republican Flute Band was met by a counter-demonstration of ‘several hundred people’ from loyalist groups. Afterwards, there were calls for a crackdown.
Glasgow City Council said it would consider ‘any action’ to protect the public from ‘morons intent on bringing mayhem to the streets’, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemned the riot as ‘utterly unacceptable’.
Last night Dave Scott, director of anti-sectarian charity Nil by
‘More parades in Glasgow than Belfast’
Mouth, said: ‘There are more loyalist and republican parades in Glasgow than in Belfast. This has led to much public debate over how we resolve an issue which only seems to be becoming more entrenched.
‘The right to free speech is important and should be protected. But when that free speech leads directly to public disorder or intimidation, something has to give.’
Last night, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ‘I am very grateful to all of the officers and police staff involved in the robust policing operation.
‘The right to hold processions, as well as the right to hold counter-demonstrations, is central to our democratic society... [but] communities also have a right to feel safe and to be protected from disorder and thuggery.
‘At my meeting with the city council and police on Thursday we discussed a range of issues... I told the council leader that we are open to considering all options, including changes to legislation and guidelines. ‘
Glasgow City Council said: ‘We want to thank the police for everything they did to ensure trouble was kept to a minimum.
‘We will be very carefully considering that community impact when we receive notifications of processions in future.’