Two arrested after anti-vaxxers 'intimidate' shoppers in city centre

Two men have been arrested after a group of anti-vaxxers intimidated shoppers and staff at Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow.

The protesters – who were voicing anger at the Scottish Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccination programme, including vaccine passports – made their way along the Gallowgate into the city centre before entering the busy shopping complex.

Two men, aged 34 and 60, were arrested for holding the procession, which was not notified to Glasgow City Council or Police Scotland.

Chief superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow, said: “Officers engaged with the group, which included a significant number of families and children and facilitated the procession to minimise disruption to the wider community and ensure public safety.

“Some members of the procession entered Buchanan Galleries shopping centre, causing disruption and intimidation to shoppers and staff.

“Two men aged 34 and 60 were arrested for holding the procession in contravention of section 65 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 .

“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do.

“This means that we will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest, balanced against the rights of the wider community.”