Police called to anti-lockdown protest in Glasgow city centre

Police were called to manage an “unplanned” anti-lockdown demonstration in Scotland’s largest city.

The event mainly focused on protesting against the vaccine passport scheme in place across the UK.

In order to attend some events and venues in Scotland, people are required to show evidence of a negative lateral flow test or their vaccine passport – the latter being a record of how many jags they have received to prove they have been fully vaccinated.

People taking part in the ‘Freedom Rally’ (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Media

The protest is believed to have been organised by Scotland Against Lockdown, a group that runs campaigns against mandatory facemasks, the Scottish and UK Governments’ Coronavirus Act 2020, social distancing and mandatory vaccines, according to its social media pages.

Protesters gathered at Glasgow Green at 1pm on Saturday and proceeded through the city centre.

Crowds of activists marched in Argyle Street during what the campaign group called a “Freedom Rally”.

People march down Argyle Street (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Media

Some of them were pictured carrying placards saying “Do you trust your ‘government with your life?” and “vaccine passports means your body will be owned by the state forever”.

One witness said about 1000 people were taking part.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are currently facilitating an unplanned procession in Glasgow City centre to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the community.”

Speaking about the demonstration, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Covid-19 vaccinations are entirely voluntary in Scotland, and those for children will only take place with the appropriate consent.

“Getting vaccinated saves lives and helps protect the NHS by making it much less likely that people will need hospital treatment if they do get Covid.

“Deliberately spreading misinformation about the vaccine is irresponsible and reckless, and anyone doing so should be ignored.”