TWO Scots who were arrested at a protest in Glasgow condemning Keir Starmer’s stance on Gaza have called for the BBC to release footage of the incident.
On December 7, the UK Labour Leader arrived at Glasgow Central station (below), where a group of activists were waiting with Palestinian flags.
Starmer had faced criticism for refusing to back a ceasefire in Gaza – a position the party still holds – as well as an interview with LBC where he claimed “Israel has the right” to withhold power and water from Palestinian civilians.
The protest continued outside the Crowne Plaza hotel – the venue for the Scottish Labour Party's Winter Gala dinner – where Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also came in for criticism from protesters.
It was outside this hotel that two people – a 33-year-old man and 26-year-old woman – were arrested by police and subsequently charged with alleged disorder offences.
A force spokesperson said a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Now, a campaign has been launched to get the charges against the two protesters – supporters of protest group Glasgow Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! – dropped, including an online petition which has reached more than 2000 signatures.
The petition claims that the “real crime” is the “heavy-handed political policing used to defend Keir Starmer”.
A spokesperson for the two protesters – dubbed the "Glasgow Two" – have called on the BBC to release any footage they have of the arrest, and for the hotel to release its CCTV footage.
The campaign is also contacting Joe Grant – the former Scottish police chief who returned his MBE in protest at UK policy on Gaza – for his professional view on the arrest.
The spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the "Glasgow Two", said: “They are grimly aware that thousands have died and been maimed in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank since their own arrests in December of last year.
"Like millions of others internationally, they are standing up against Israeli genocide which is supported, armed and financed by the United States, Britain and Europe. Their arrests challenged the illegal support offered by the Labour Party leader Keir Starmer for that genocide.
“The Glasgow Two will continue to Defend the Right to Defend Palestine and demand the dropping of all charges against those protesting for an end to the bombing and for freedom for Palestine.”
The BBC has been approached for comment.
