Support has poured in for a Glasgow primary school after an image posted on social media of the First Minister meeting pupils attracted a number of racist remarks.
Nicola Sturgeon retweeted a picture of herself with pupils at St Albert’s Primary in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow on Friday during a visit to mark the end of Climate Week.
However, a number of people responded with racist remarks about the photo.
Glasgow City Council’s head of service for the education services department, Gerry Lyons posted on Twitter: “No one in Glasgow is going to allow any of our brilliant children to be racially abused.
“We’re so proud of all of them, and that’s the enduring message we send to all who would even think about abusing them. Not on our watch.”
The council’s director of education, Douglas Hutchison added: “You believe in love rather than hate @StAlbertsG41 because love draws out the best in us while hate feeds on our smallness.
“Keep doing what you’re doing and being who you are. Love and goodness will prevail.”
On Saturday night, Sturgeon also condemned the “vile racists”.
She said: “Every brilliant young person and every member of staff @StAlbertsG41 is worth a million and more of the vile racists who hurl abuse at them.
“It’s my privilege to represent the wonderful, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Southside of Glasgow. I stand with them, always.”
The Scottish Government’s education secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville added: “Second time in as many weeks I’m on to condemn racism targeted at our young people, their teachers and their schools.
“This sort of behaviour has no place in our society. I’ve no doubt that the young people at @StAlbertsG41 will grow up to be citizens we can all be proud of. Doubt you could say the same for those that take part in a pile on towards a primary school’s Twitter feed.”
The statement tweeted by the school also said: “Our motto is, ‘Creating Conscience Led Communities’. We will continue to embed this in all our practice.
“We urge all our colleagues to embrace equity in all policy and practice and stand as active allies with anti racist and culturally responsive practice.
“We are sending love and hope it touches the hearts of those who live in hate. Thank you for your support.”
Others also tweeted their support, including Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie who said: “Solidarity with the pupils and staff at @StAlbertsG41 who have been subjected to a torrent of racist abuse.”
Scottish Labour leader and Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar tweeted: “Sending love and solidarity. No place for hate or racism – regardless of who it is from or who it is to.”
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