The GlasGLOW event in the city's Botanic Gardens was vandalised in the early hours of this morning.
Graffiti was scrawled across pieces of the light show, which takes place annually, following weeks of online claims that organisers itison is destroying wildlife and ruining the gardens. The vandalism included statements such as 'Greta was here', 'no Tory ***** allowed' and 'f*** animal cruelty'.
The company has said that there is CCTV images of the suspects which will be released shortly. itison has denied any ecological impact of the event and said they are committed to a sustainability plan alongside Glasgow City Council.
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Oli Norman, CEO of itison, said: “Alongside the entire team I’m saddened and disgusted by the mindless vandalism that took place at GlasGLOW early this morning.
“This behaviour has nothing to do with the climate emergency or protecting wildlife, and everything to do with a small minority of individuals trying to tell us what we can and can’t do in our public spaces.
“We have been accused of ‘green washing’ for using biofuels and donating tens of thousands to local charities and labelled ‘corporate greedy’ for employing over 270 local people to deliver GlasGLOW.
“We are a local company putting on an event bringing families and friends together to spread light and joy in the dark months. These trolls should be ashamed of themselves – not only are they disrupting a much-loved event, but they have undermined the cause of environmental groups that genuinely want to drive change.
“Images of the individuals have been sent to the police and will be released across itison and GlasGLOW social media platforms shortly. If anyone has any information relating to these individuals, they should contact the police directly or contact the GlasGLOW team at glasglow2022@itison.com.”
itison has confirmed that tonight's show will still go ahead as planned.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Saturday, 29 October, police received a report of a vandalism that took place earlier that morning at an event in Botanic Gardens, Glasgow. Police enquiries are ongoing into this report and anyone with information that may assist the enquiry should contact 101 with reference 1472 of 29 October."
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