15 arrests and weapons seized following Glasgow anti-immigration protest
A large police presence is in the area, with around a dozen vans and officers in horse back in attendance.
Fifteen people were arrested and weapons seized after violence erupted in Glasgow city centre following an anti-immigration protest.
Chief Superintendent Emma Croft, of Police Scotland, said there had been “significant disorder” as protesters gathered in Glasgow Green, with a large-scale anti-racist counter protest also taking place outside the park perimeter.
The two sides were separated by police but outbreaks of violence followed, with projectiles thrown into the anti-racist crowd and footage showing violence and intimidation both inside the park and in the city centre.
Arrests were made for possession of an offensive weapon, assault, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest.
Chief Superintendent Emma Croft said: “We have seen significant disorder from disparate groups in Glasgow today at what should have been peaceful, lawful protests.
“Incidents of this nature can understandably cause a great deal of concern, and our officers took quick and decisive action to protect the public and bring the situation to conclusion.
“I want to be clear that the behaviour from many of these groups is not legitimate protest, it amounts to violence, intimidation and fear and will not be tolerated.
“Officers have recovered weapons that clearly indicate there has been an intention for pre-meditated disorder, violence and intimidation. Enquiries continue in this regard.
“This is completely unacceptable behaviour and those involved should be in no doubt that they will be identified and held to account for their actions.”
The far-right protest was led by a group called Unite the Clans to coincide with the first weekend of the Commonwealth Games.
The chief superintendent added: “At a time when Glasgow should be shown at its best, it is extremely disappointing to once again be dealing with violence and disorder that attempts to create unease in our communities.”
Arrests were also made as a large group made their way from Glasgow Green to the City Centre.
A number of containments were put in place, including in Oswald Street, with members of the public asked to stay away from the area.
Total numbers who attended both protests have yet to be confirmed, but it is understood that those in the anti-immigration protest were in their low to middle hundreds with anti-racist supporters turning out in their low to middle thousands.
Officers contained members of the Green Brigade, a Celtic F.C fan group, who appeared to be gathering for the pro-immigration counter-protest.
Helicopters circled the park, one of the city’s busiest, as police managed to separate the groups near Saltmarket in the city centre.
Those taking part in the Unite the Clans rally, some wearing balaclavas and dark hoodies and draped in Scotland flags, chanted “send them home” and held placards reading “stop the boats”, as blue smoke billowed from the park.
An eyewitness recalled a “total air of menace” after being spat on, kicked and threatened by anti-immigration protesters.
The eyewitness, who does want to be named, described the atmosphere around Glasgow Green as “toxic”.
As police worked to contain the protesters, the observer witnessed an estimated 100 to 150 anti-immigration protesters break away from the main group and attacked around a dozen people, described as anti-fascists, who had split from the main counter-protest to gather by a bridge in Glasgow Green.
The eyewitness said: “The police were pretty stretched by this point, there were just too many people, and the anti-immigration protesters managed to break through and reach this group by the bridge. Some were heckled, some were beaten, they were totally outnumbered”
He added: “There was a total air of menace”.
The counter-demonstration was organised by a coalition of groups including Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and Women Against The Far Right, and supported by groups like the University College Union (UCU) and Refuweegee.
It is the latest in a series of protests around migration in Glasgow.
Tensions have flared in recent weeks, with police pinning much of the blame on misinformation online.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The scenes in Glasgow this afternoon are wholly unacceptable. For the second time in as many months, members of the public in the city centre have faced serious and concerning disorder by protestors who want to spread division and fear.
“Police Scotland should be commended for acting quickly to control the disruption and minimise any threats of aggression.
“As the eyes of the world fall on Glasgow with the Commonwealth Games and the city welcomes people from all over the globe, it is disappointing that people are choosing to spread division rather than celebrate community, friendship and compassion.”
We’ll bring you more this developing story as it happens.