Glasgow's CCA closes amid planned takeover by pro-Palestinian activists

The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow has temporarily closed in response to protests planned by pro-Palestine activists.

The board announced on Wednesday that it had made the decision to keep the building on Sauchiehall Street closed for the rest of the week.

It comes after Art Workers for Palestine Scotland shared plans to occupy the public courtyard as part of a week-long programme of action.

The campaign group said it would stage an events programme in the “liberated zone”, including workshops, screenings and discussions that centre Palestinian liberation and “interrogate the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions in the ongoing genocide in Gaza”.

The action was announced in response to the CCA’s Board’s refusal to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).

Art Workers for Palestine Scotland action at CCA STV News

The PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions.

Activists began their takeover on Tuesday, resulting in police being called and a 63-year-old woman being arrested. The woman was later taken to hospital.

The CCA Board said the decision had been taken to close the building temporarily to prioritise the safety and well-being of staff and partners and “create space for reflection”.

A statement issued on social media said: “In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we’ve made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week.

“This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and well-being of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection.

“We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully.

“We will be sharing further updates in the coming days.”

In response, AW4P accused the CCA of choosing “complicity” and called for the resignations of board member Roddy Hunter and chair of the board Jean Cameron.

“GSA Pal Soc are disgusted by the actions of the CCA and its board that took place yesterday, during a public programme of events centered around resistance, learning and artistic solidarity organised by Art Workers for Palestine”, the group said in a statement.

“CCA used internal security, then called police who violently escalated the situation and brutally arrested a member of the public. It is completely shameful and abhorrent to enact fascist state violence against members of their local community who refuse to stay silent in the face of genocide.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 12.55pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, we received a report of a disturbance involving a large group on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

“Officers attended and engaged with those present. The group later dispersed.

“A 63-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection, and is expected to appear at court at a later date.”