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Police ensure protest march goes off peacefully

Only five arrests as right-wing demonstrators shipped out on buses to avoid confrontation with anti-fascist campaigners.

14 November 2009 16:17 GMT

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A group of right-wing demonstrators have been prevented by police from attending an anti-fascist rally where Scotland's political and religious leaders were speaking.

Strathclyde Police confirmed that around 70 Scottish Defence League (SDL) members had met up and held a "static" protest at the corner of Cambridge Street and Sauchiehall Street before being dispersed.

Some of the group were loaded on to buses as part of police plans to ensure there was no threat to public safety.

There were reports of minor skirmishes in the city centre resulting in five arrests, but the demonstrations passed without any major incidents.

Around 1,500 anti-fascist campaigners attended a Scotland United rally in Glasgow Green in response to SDL plans for an "anti-Islamic" march to the city’s Central Mosque.

The Glasgow Green rally was attended by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie and Reverend Ian Galloway.

It was followed by a march through the city centre, culminating in a minute's silence at George Square for victims of racial violence.

The SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League which has been involved in confrontations between opponents and police.

Last updated: 15 November 2009, 13:01 GMT

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  1. Default avatar

    1. 14 Nov 2009 17:29jamsie said

    so how much money did this cost the police to patrol?,,,,,,,

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  2. Default avatar

    2. 14 Nov 2009 19:04a.hussain said

    Jamesie, the police patrol every Friday and Saturday night in the city centre in the same numbers and because of drink. But is that ok compared to keeping us safe from right wing thugs?

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    3. 14 Nov 2009 22:58p.j.me said

    but... come next summer when more right wing thugs,this time masquerading as orange men inflict their venom on the catholic population, where i wonder will all the police be. still standing outside of the mosque?but then racisim only counts when its directed at asian's or other race's .shame for poor kriss donald because as the police pointed out that was not a race crime.just evil perpetrated by asian thugs on a poor young boy ...or..moira? the list goes on.remember when glasgow was a safe place to let kids and women go out?

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    4. 14 Nov 2009 22:58p.j.me said

    but... come next summer when more right wing thugs,this time masquerading as orange men inflict their venom on the catholic population, where i wonder will all the police be. still standing outside of the mosque?but then racisim only counts when its directed at asian's or other race's .shame for poor kriss donald because as the police pointed out that was not a race crime.just evil perpetrated by asian thugs on a poor young boy ...or..moira? the list goes on.remember when glasgow was a safe place to let kids and women go out?

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    5. 16 Nov 2009 17:22hdi said

    The killers of Kriss Donald were convicted of racially motivated murder and received life sentences, with 25 yrs minimum recommendation. Mohammed Sarwar went to Pakistan and persuaded them to give up the killers despite that country having no extradition treaty with the UK. I think you could say he expended a lot more effort on that than just attending a rally, so the statement that "racism only counts when it's directed at asians" could not be further from the truth for those engaged in Saturday's protest.

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