Max JossPolice have concluded their investigation of “hateful signs” at a rally in protest against the UK Government’s blocking of Scottish gender recognition reforms and have made no arrests.
Hundreds of people gathered in Glasgow to take part in the Rally for Trans Equality on Buchanan Street on Saturday, January 21.
Activists and politicians spoke at the rally in the city centre while those in the crowd held placards with slogans including “trans rights are human rights”, “trans liberation now”, and “hands off the GRA reform”.
However, police were alerted to the content of some signs displayed at the gathering amid concerns that they amounted to hate crimes.
Previously, Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser tweeted saying that he was among those who have complained to Police Scotland after seeing a sign reading “decapitate terfs” alongside an image of a guillotine.
Another sign read: “I eat terfs and tories”.
Terf is an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist and is often used in reference to opponents of gender identity reforms – some of whom believe it to be derogatory.
On Saturday, Fraser said it was “very disappointing” that police had been unable to identify the individual involved.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Our enquiries are complete and no one has been arrested, however, if any new information comes to light it will be fully investigated.”
A photo of SNP MSPs Kirsten Oswald and Kaukab Stewart from the rally shows them standing in front of the signs.
JK Rowling, a vocal critic of the reforms, tweeted: “A few of Scotland’s wonderfully progressive and kind politicians, posing proudly in front of banners calling for women to be decapitated and eaten.”
Stewart said she was unaware of the signs when she attended the protest “in defence of Scottish democracy and the rights of trans people”.
“I utterly disagree with them,” she said.
“Violent hate speech is totally unacceptable and has absolutely no place in our public discourse.”
Rowling responded: “I too beam with delight when having my photograph taken with things of which I am entirely unaware.”
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