LONDON: Police in Scotland said on Saturday officers responding to ‘disorder in various areas of Glasgow city centre’ had made a number of arrests, after antiimmigration and anti-racism protesters staged duelling demonstrations.
Unverified footage posted on social media showed scuffles and violent confrontations between the two rival groupings in and around Glasgow Green, a park southeast ofthe city centre.
Police, including officers on horses, could been seen intervening, with attendees on both sides wearing masks. Anti-immigration group Unite The Clans Scotland had advertised a protest there starting at 12pm (1100 GMT) under the banner ‘save our women and children’ and ‘protect our future’.
The Stand Up To Racism organisation held a counterdemonstration, saying it was ‘opposing the far right in Glasgow’.
‘Police are responding to incidents of disorder in relation to planned protest in Glasgow Green,’ Police Scotland said in a mid-afternoon statement. ‘A significant policing operation is in place... and a number of arrests have already been made.
‘We understand the concern this is causing in the community and anyone with concerns can approach officers,’ the force added. ‘This is a particularly challenging situation, and officers are working hard to bring this incident to an end.’ The Glasgow Green rally was the latest in a series of protests around immigration in Scotland’s largest city, while towns and cities in neighbouring England have seen numerous similarly themed demonstrations some turning violent in recent years.-AFP