Police call for calm ahead of 'significant' anti-racism protest in Glasgow city centre

A significant policing operation will be in place in Glasgow city centre on Saturday ahead of a planned anti-racism protest.

Large numbers are expected to attend the demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism Glasgow in response to racist attacks in the city amid unrest following a knife attack in Belfast on Monday.

Five people were injured, including two police officers, after hundreds of people wearing masks marched through Glasgow city centre on Tuesday.

The force said members of the public had been “attacked due to the colour of their skin”.

The following evening, a protest was held outside a hotel in Greenock that has been used to house asylum seekers.

A 32-year-old man was charged with a hate crime, and two other men were arrested and issued with fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour offences.

Smaller demonstrations have also been held in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Perth, Ayr and Paisley with no arrests made.

Assistant chief constable Alan Waddell said that a “significant” policing operation will be in place in Glasgow on Saturday to support public safety and minimise disruption.

The anti-racism demonstration is expected to begin at 1pm at Buchanan Steps, in front of the Royal Concert Hall.

Organisers have called for Glaswegians “of all backgrounds and faiths” to “stand together against any attempts to spread violence and hatred”.

Ahead of the event, ACC Waddell has warned that there “must be no repeat of the disorder and violence seen in the city earlier this week”.

“People have the right to express their views lawfully and we will act to keep people safe, protect communities and reduce the impact on residents, businesses and visitors”, he added.

“We will continue to engage with organisers and partners as part of our planning, with a focus on public safety and preventing disorder.

“We recognise the concerns felt within communities, particularly following recent events in Belfast, and we understand that those concerns may be heightened at this time.

“It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.

“There must be no repeat of the disorder and violence seen in the city earlier this week, when members of our communities were targeted because of the colour of their skin and officers working to keep people safe were injured.

“The behaviour witnessed has rightly been condemned across Scotland as it does not reflect the country’s values.

“There is no place in Scotland for racism, hatred or violence of any kind.

“My message is clear. Those attending must do so lawfully and the police will support public safety.

“But we must issue a warning that anyone seeking to exploit recent events to break the law, promote racism or violence, or disrupt people’s lives should be in no doubt that Police Scotland will respond decisively and robustly to keep communities safe.”

Following the scenes witnessed across the country, John Swinney warned of a “rising tide of the spread of hateful rhetoric” in Scotland, which is “inciting people to behave in a reckless, aggressive and thuggish fashion”.

The First Minister attacked Reform UK, accusing the party of “stirring up hatred within our society”.

He went on to criticise Reform’s deputy in Holyrood, Thomas Kerr, who urged people to protest on Wednesday, but to remain peaceful.

In a statement on Wednesday, the First Minister said: “The scenes we saw in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr last night are unacceptable.

“Scotland is a welcoming nation, and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities.

“Racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland. We must stand against it.”

Nearly 20 arrests as violence in Belfast continues

In Belfast, 19 arrests have now been made since street violence first erupted on Tuesday.

Police in Northern Ireland have said Thursday night was “much calmer” with only “lower level disturbances” compared with the disorder of the previous two nights.

Disorder flared in response to a knife attack on Monday night, in which a man suffered significant injuries, including the loss of his left eye.

Stephen Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, also suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in the stabbing attack in the north of the city – a graphic video clip of which went viral. On Thursday, it was said he remained in an induced coma, but his condition was said to be improving.

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack.

Alodid entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border by bus in February 2023, having flown to Dublin from Paris.

He then claimed asylum upon arrival and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

On Tuesday night, mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire in Belfast, with people targeted based on their race.

Water cannons were deployed in Co Antrim on Wednesday after police were pelted with bricks, and a Department for Infrastructure vehicle was left in flames. There was also serious unrest in Portadown, Co Armagh. Twelve police officers were injured on Wednesday evening.

Foreign national healthcare workers have also been subject to threats and intimidation.