Nicola Sturgeon condemns ‘upsetting’ anti-lockdown protest

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at George Square in Glasgow on Saturday.

Nicola Sturgeon condemns ‘upsetting’ anti-lockdown protest Neil-scott.com Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon has condemned an anti-lockdown protest that took place in Glasgow on Saturday after hundreds of people gathered in George Square.

Some of the protestors had signs saying Covid-19 is a hoax and with another wearing an armband adorned with the Star of David and the word “unvaccinated” underneath it.

The SNP leader compared the scenes with the reality of what was happening in India where crematoria and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by a surge of coronavirus infections.

She also slammed the notion that the virus was a hoax saying that thousands of bereaved Scottish families know how real it is.

Anti-lockdown protest George Square Glasgow, April 24, 2021 (Neil Scott)Www.neil-scott.com/

The demonstration, which took place around noon on Saturday, April 24, was against the implementation of coronavirus restrictions and the idea of health passports.

Sturgeon said: “Covid is not a hoax – as more than 10,000 grieving families in Scotland know, it is very real.

“The juxtaposition of this and the catastrophe unfolding in India is quite upsetting.

“Thankfully, things are getting better here and restrictions are easing – but we must still take care.”

Anti-lockdown protest George Square Glasgow, April 24, 2021 (Neil Scott)Www.neil-scott.com/

A march took place near the city’s Queen Park earlier in the day, with some protestors walking to and from Glasgow Green as well.

A large demonstration took place in London on Saturday, with thousands of protestors marching against restrictions.

The death toll of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days now stands at 7652.

A further 176 positive cases were also reported by the Scottish Government on Sunday, meaning a total of 225,204 people have tested positive in Scotland since the start of the pandemic.

Hospital numbers are not updated at the weekend but, on Friday, 93 people were being treated in hospital having recently tested positive for coronavirus, of these 12 were in intensive care.

Anti-lockdown protest George Square Glasgow, April 24, 2021 (Neil Scott)Www.neil-scott.com/

From Monday, restaurants, cafes and non-essential shops are able to welcome customers back following the easing of coronavirus regulations.

Libraries, gyms and swimming pools, and visitor attractions such as museums and art galleries, can also reopen as the country moves from level four to level three of the Scottish Government’s five-tier Covid alert system.

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