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| Rally opposes 'anti-Islamic' demo | Rally opposes 'anti-Islamic' demo |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of people are expected to attend a march celebrating multiculturalism in Glasgow later. | |
| A group called Scotland United, backed by trade-unions, politicians and faith groups, is staging the rally to oppose another protest being held in the city. | |
| The Scottish Defence league (SDL), plans to stage an "anti-Islamic" demonstration. | |
| Strathclyde Police has mounted a major operation to prevent any trouble or clashes. | |
| The SDL is an offshoot of the English Defence League which has held several demonstrations in London, Manchester and Leeds, where there have been angry confrontations with opponents and police. | |
| Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is among the speakers at the Scotland United rally, organised to oppose the views of those involved with the SDL. | Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is among the speakers at the Scotland United rally, organised to oppose the views of those involved with the SDL. |
| Public safety is paramount for the police, and should any event turn out to pose a risk to public safety then we will respond accordingly Assistant Chief Constable Fiona TaylorStrahclyde Police | Public safety is paramount for the police, and should any event turn out to pose a risk to public safety then we will respond accordingly Assistant Chief Constable Fiona TaylorStrahclyde Police |
| It will be followed by a march through the city centre and will culminate in a minute's silence at George Square for victims of racial violence. | It will be followed by a march through the city centre and will culminate in a minute's silence at George Square for victims of racial violence. |
| Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said the force was "fully prepared" for both events. | Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said the force was "fully prepared" for both events. |
| "A significant amount of planning and preparation has been undertaken by the force and a detailed policing plan is in place with sufficient resources available to respond to any incidents," she said. | "A significant amount of planning and preparation has been undertaken by the force and a detailed policing plan is in place with sufficient resources available to respond to any incidents," she said. |
| "We would like to reassure members of the public who intend to come into the city on Saturday that our aim is to keep disruption to a minimum. However, we would suggest that people allow extra time for their journey. | "We would like to reassure members of the public who intend to come into the city on Saturday that our aim is to keep disruption to a minimum. However, we would suggest that people allow extra time for their journey. |
| "As always, public safety is paramount for the police, and should any event turn out to pose a risk to public safety then we will respond accordingly." | "As always, public safety is paramount for the police, and should any event turn out to pose a risk to public safety then we will respond accordingly." |
| Avoiding confrontation | Avoiding confrontation |
| The time and location of the SDL protest is not yet known. | The time and location of the SDL protest is not yet known. |
| Organisers and supporters of the Scotland United rally said it would be a peaceful event celebrating Scotland's multiculturalism. | Organisers and supporters of the Scotland United rally said it would be a peaceful event celebrating Scotland's multiculturalism. |
| Osama Saeed, of the Scottish Islamic Foundation, said: "For the first time in a generation the far-right are attempting to march in Glasgow. | Osama Saeed, of the Scottish Islamic Foundation, said: "For the first time in a generation the far-right are attempting to march in Glasgow. |
| "What we're seeing is Scottish civil society rising to that challenge. | "What we're seeing is Scottish civil society rising to that challenge. |
| "It was a challenge but also an opportunity for us to celebrate all that is best about our diversity and multiculturalism and to show, crucially, colleagues in England how to manage this." | "It was a challenge but also an opportunity for us to celebrate all that is best about our diversity and multiculturalism and to show, crucially, colleagues in England how to manage this." |
| He added: "Unfortunately the EDL over the last few months have caused mayhem in many of the towns and cities in England and we have an opportunity here in Scotland to show how it can be done. | |
| "We're taking extreme precautions to avoid any direct confrontation with the SDL." |