Anti-immigration protest met with counter demonstration in city centre

The latest demonstration comes days after hundreds of people wearing masks marched through the streets of Glasgow following the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast.

Anti-immigration protest met with counter demonstration in Glasgow city centreSTV News

An anti-immigration protest in Glasgow city centre was met by counter demonstrators on Saturday.

The latest demonstration comes days after hundreds of people wearing masks marched through the streets following the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast.

Five people, including two police officers, were injured during the unrest.

The force said members of the public had been “attacked due to the colour of their skin”.

A second demonstration took place outside Glasgow’s Concert Hall on Saturday; however, it was met by a large crowd attending the Stand Up to Racism Glasgow demonstration.

Police separated the group with barriersSTV News
Police separated the group with barriers

Organisers called for Glaswegians “of all backgrounds and faiths” to “stand together against any attempts to spread violence and hatred”.

Police were seen separating both groups on Buchanan Street with barriers. Footage sees one man, wearing a union jack mask, confronting protestors before being led away.

Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.

Unrest across Scotland following Belfast attack

On Wednesday evening, a protest was held outside a hotel in Greenock that has been used to house asylum seekers.

A 32-year-old man was charged with a hate crime, and two other men were arrested and issued with fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour offences.

Smaller demonstrations have also been held in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Perth, Ayr and Paisley with no arrests made.

Following the scenes witnessed across the country, John Swinney warned of a “rising tide of the spread of hateful rhetoric” in Scotland, which is “inciting people to behave in a reckless, aggressive and thuggish fashion”.

The First Minister attacked Reform UK, accusing the party of “stirring up hatred within our society”.

The latest demonstration in Glasgow was met with counter protestorsSTV News
The latest demonstration in Glasgow was met with counter protestors

He went on to criticise Reform’s deputy in Holyrood, Thomas Kerr, who urged people to protest on Wednesday, but to remain peaceful.

In a statement on Wednesday, the First Minister said: “The scenes we saw in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr last night are unacceptable.

“Scotland is a welcoming nation, and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities.

“Racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland. We must stand against it.”

Nearly 20 arrests as violence in Belfast continues

In Belfast, 19 arrests have now been made since street violence first erupted on Tuesday.

Police in Northern Ireland have said Thursday night was “much calmer” with only “lower level disturbances” compared with the disorder of the previous two nights.

Disorder flared in response to a knife attack on Monday night, in which a man suffered significant injuries, including the loss of his left eye.

Stephen Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, also suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in the stabbing attack in the north of the city – a graphic video clip of which went viral. On Thursday, it was said he remained in an induced coma, but his condition was said to be improving.

Police descended on Glasgow on Tuesday evening as crowds of people dressed all in black gathered in the city centreSTV News
Police descended on Glasgow on Tuesday evening as crowds of people dressed all in black gathered in the city centre

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack.

Alodid entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border by bus in February 2023, having flown to Dublin from Paris.

He then claimed asylum upon arrival and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

On Tuesday night, mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire in Belfast, with people targeted based on their race.

Water cannons were deployed in Co Antrim on Wednesday after police were pelted with bricks, and a Department for Infrastructure vehicle was left in flames. There was also serious unrest in Portadown, Co Armagh. Twelve police officers were injured on Wednesday evening.

Foreign national healthcare workers have also been subject to threats and intimidation.

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