BARRIERS have been set up in George Square ahead of two protests that are set to take place on Saturday.
A gathering, billed as a "Pro-UK rally" on social media, has been organised to take place near the Cenotaph today (September 7) and has been publicised by far-right figures including Tommy Robinson.
A description of the rally said: "This peaceful rally is against the UK Government's mass and illegal immigrations policies which we believe are now having a detrimental effect on the vast majority of people in the UK."
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) has organised a counter-protest "against the far right" which will take place from 12pm.
Nine trade unions, politicians, culture figures, and leading campaigners are expected to take part.
Organisers said: "This will be a safely stewarded, family-friendly, demonstration open to all anti-racists and anti-fascists to stand in unity against those stirring up hate and division in our city.
"The far-right are trying to exploit horror in Southport using the horrific murder of three children to push their Islamophobic, racist, anti-refugee agenda - even though the perpetrator of the crimes was not a migrant as they falsely claimed.
"This rhetoric led to a violent fascist riot outside a mosque in Southport and then in London and Hartlepool which now others hope to build on to create a climate of violence and fear against Muslims, migrants and ethnic minorities."
A picture from Glasgow City Council's George Square Webcam this morning shows barriers have been set up in George Square to separate the groups with what appears to be a "no-go" area left between then in the middle of the square to avoid any clashes between protestors.
Police are in attendance and protesters are already gathering.
📽️ Chants of 'refugees are welcome here' can be heard in George Square at Stand Up to Racism's rally 'Pro-UK' campaigners have also arrived to hold a rally in the city today pic.twitter.com/UHxyHeFnkp
— The National (@ScotNational) September 7, 2024
Earlier this week, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said a policing plan was in place and violence and disorder would be dealt with "swiftly and robustly".
He said: "We are aware of a planned protest in George Square, Glasgow, on Saturday, September 7, and a proportionate policing plan is in place.
"Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation and we have been engaging directly with the protest groups to ensure public safety, while balancing their right to peacefully demonstrate.
"Violence and disorder are not legitimate protest and anyone who engages in disorder will be dealt with swiftly and robustly."
The "Pro-UK Rally" was organised in the wake of riots in several towns and cities in England in July and August which saw supermarkets and libraries torched and shops looted.
The disorder followed the tragic deaths of Bebe King (six), Elsie Dot Stancombe (seven) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (nine) who were killed on Monday, July 29 in Southport while attending a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
The first riot was in the Merseyside town on the same day a vigil was held for the girls after misinformation spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker.
