GLASWEGIANS have been urged to “stand firm against fascists” after far-right figures announced they would be holding a “pro-UK rally” in the city centre.
Tommy Robinson has been among the far-right figures promoting the Unionist demonstration in George Square on September 7 amid a wave of unrest in England following the spread of disinformation around a knife attack in Southport.
Robinson, who has reportedly fled the UK to evade charges linked to contempt of court, posted on social media: “The British are rising [Union flag emoji].”
He shared an image promoting a rally in Glasgow’s George Square at 1pm on Saturday, September 7. It stated: “This will remain a peaceful protest to share our distrust and fear of the future.”
Niall Christie, who stood as the Scottish Green candidate in Glasgow South during the General Election, posted on Twitter: “If you're in Glasgow and are able, you have a responsibility to mobilise against this mob coming to our city.
“We must stand firm against fascists and show the far-right they're not welcome here.”
The call for far-right demonstrators to turn out in Glasgow comes after more than 100 arrests following riots in Whitehall after misinformation spread online about the perpetrator of a knife attack which killed three children in Southport.
The suspect, who turns 18 next Wednesday but cannot be identified for legal reasons linked to his age, was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, and had been living in the village of Banks, just outside Southport, at the time of the attack.
However, false claims spread online said that the attacker was Palestinian or Muslim who crossed the Channel in a small boat, feeding riots in English towns and cities.
Demonstrators wearing England flags and waving banners saying “enough is enough” and “stop the boats” congregated outside Downing Street, as well as in Hartlepool and Manchester.
The Scottish Greens have come out against the rally and have called for councillors from all parties to work with residents and community activists in opposition to the event "and what it represents".
Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie told The National: “Glasgow is a proudly multicultural city with a long history of standing up against the far right. There’s no place for the fear, hate and division of these gangs here, nor for the violence and criminality they bring.
“The last few days have shown clearly the contempt the far right have for a grieving community, and they must not be allowed to continue to promote their toxic values unchallenged. I have no doubt that those of us who stand against them will far outnumber them if they do gather in Glasgow.
“However, Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland must now consider how to respond to the threat of far-right activists to bring their violence to Glasgow. What has been seen in Southport, London and elsewhere this week must not be brought to George Square.”
Glasgow City Council has claimed it has had no notification of any far-right, pro-UK rally and that Robinson and his "ilk" would not be welcome in the city.
Council leader Susan Aitken said: "He’s not welcome in Glasgow and neither is anyone who chooses to align with his poisonous rhetoric.”
Green Glasgow councillor Jon Molyneux added: "The Scottish Greens will always stand firm against racism and prejudice and in solidarity with communities being targeted by these kinds of mobs.
“We can never be complacent about the threat of the far right and we will work with councillors, residents and community activists to mobilise against the politics of hate.”
Glasgow SNP councillor Ruairi Kelly added: “Glasgow has a rich history of protest, and it is the right of all citizens make their voice heard.
“What this city doesn’t want though, and what it won’t stand for, is far right thugs hijacking the murder of young children to spread hate and violence on our streets.
“There’s nothing patriotic about middle-aged men getting hit by bricks as they square up to police, that’s just embarrassing surely.”
