How far right activist promoted Glasgow gathering hours before unrest
Anti-racist group say gathering was ‘called for and joined by’ far right figures
While no single unified group took part in the demonstrations in Glasgow on Tuesday evening - the largest of a series of protests across Scotland in the wake of the Belfast stabbing attack - the ugly scenes appeared to be co-ordinated, at least in part, by far right activists.
The majority of those taking part wore black or dark coloured clothing, with many donning face coverings or, in some cases, balaclavas. Most were young men.
Some captured in images and videos on social media were waving Union flags and Saltires, while others brandished banners with messages. One referenced the murder of Henry Nowak, bearing the words, ‘White lives matter’. Another banner, hoisted by a group walking down Buchanan Street, read ‘We will not submit’.
As far as officials are concerned, there was undoubtedly a racial element to proceedings. Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable, Alan Waddell, said that members of the public were attacked “because of the colour of their skin.” The force’s officers were also attacked.
According to the Glasgow branch of Stand Up to Racism, the grassroots campaigning organisation, whose members took images and videos of the protests in Glasgow, those involved were “fascists” and “far right thugs,” some of whom were wearing masks.
It condemned the “repugnant” scenes that followed, and said the protests were a “last minute gathering,” with individuals assembling at the steps at the top of the city’s Buchanan Street, before marching down the street.
The group claimed that the gathering in Scotland’s biggest city has been “called and joined by” prominent figures in the Scottish far right, who it said had a “long history of touring Britain to join violent anti-refugee protests.” It added that the group who assembled in Glasgow were addressed by a member of the far right group, Patriotic Alternative.
Several hours before hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Glasgow, there were already calls for people to assemble at a city centre landmark at a pre-arranged time.
Shortly after 3pm, Craig Houston, a right-wing activist and member of the Restore Britain party, posted a digital flyer image on X calling on people to attend a gathering at 7pm at the steps outside the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Buchanan Street.
The post described it as an event to “stand together,” adding “united in community, united for Scotland,” with multiple images of the Saltire.
As of 2.30pm on Wednesday, the post in question had garnered more than 123,000 views, according to X’s metrics, with more than 300 reposts and around 1,300 accounts on the platform favouriting it.
Shortly after 8pm on Tuesday, Mr Houston shared a video of men in black marching through the city centre, singing ‘Rule Britannia’ and waving a Union flag. The prominent YouTube creator, who has close to 100,000 subscribers, also uploaded a longer video on his channel.
It is unclear if any of those involved in co-ordinating the Glasgow demonstration were linked to smaller scale protests that were held in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Perth, Ayr, and Paisley. Police Scotland said no arrests were made at any of those five gatherings.