Rival protesters clashed in Glasgow city centre on Saturday, as thousands gathered for an anti-racism rally while a smaller counter-protest group performed what appeared to be Nazi salutes.
The Stand Up To Racism demonstration, titled “reclaim our streets – stand up to the far right,” was organised following a week of disorder after a stabbing attack in Belfast.
Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder and was remanded in custody.
He claimed asylum after arriving Northern Ireland in 2023 and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.
There were also incidents in Glasgow where Police Scotland reported people being targeted due to their skin colour, leading to a local mosque locking worshippers inside for safety.
Thousands of anti-racism activists assembled, separated by police from a significantly smaller group of counter-protesters. These counter-protesters, predominantly men, wore balaclavas or other face coverings. The scene grew tense as police struggled to contain the group, which attempted to breach barriers before spilling onto Bath Street.
Projectiles, including drink cans, were reportedly thrown towards the anti-racism group, while an egg appeared to be aimed at the counter-protesters. The counter-protesters waved Union and Israel flags, contrasting with Palestinian, Ukrainian, and Scottish flags displayed by the anti-racism side.
Anti-Islam chants were heard from some counter-protesters, met with shouts of “Nazi scum off our streets” from the anti-racism rally.
Several politicians attended the anti-racism event, including Labour MSPs Paul Sweeney and Pauline McNeill, Green MSPs Iris Duane and Holly Bruce, former SNP equalities minister Kaukab Stewart, and prominent human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar.
Police Scotland confirmed a “significant operation” was in place to “ensure the safety of the public and to minimise disruption,” stating the protest passed “without major incident.”
A 53-year-old man was arrested for threatening a police officer, and another officer was struck by an egg. While an unspecified number of individuals were issued with city centre dispersal orders, police also confirmed that a number of reported hate crimes would now be investigated.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “We did warn that officers would respond decisively and robustly to keep communities safe and I want to thank the public for their patience while the demonstration took place.”
