PROTESTERS mocked Tommy Robinson at a Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) demonstration in Glasgow on Saturday.
Organisers set up the protest in response to a “pro-UK” rally promoted by far-right figures including Tommy Robinson.
The leader of Glasgow City Council has already said Robinson is not welcome in the city.
🗣️ 'Where is Tommy, Tommy's on the beach' Protesters mock Tommy Robinson at today's @SUTRScotland's counter-protest in Glasgow pic.twitter.com/jM1e40NiDl
— The National (@ScotNational) September 7, 2024
Barriers have already been set up in George Square with SUTR campaigners on one side and “pro-UK” groups on the other.
A video showed one protester shouting: “Where is Tommy? Tommy is on the beach. Using your money, your benefit money. Using your money.”
Elsewhere, chants of "there are many, many more of us than you," could be heard from the anti-racism protesters.
Point being made emphatically about relative crowd sizes at anti racism rally in George Square. #SUTR pic.twitter.com/TgPJvR4Ct8
— Lesley Riddoch (@LesleyRiddoch) September 7, 2024
There is a police presence in George Square with the force issuing a statement earlier this week ahead of the planned demonstrations.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said a policing plan was in place and that any 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 comes after violence erupted in England and Northern Ireland last month following the death of three young girls in Southport.
Organisers of the SUTR rally commented: "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."
