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Clashes after rival city marches | Clashes after rival city marches |
(40 minutes later) | |
Two rival marches in Glasgow have led to a number of skirmishes in the city. | Two rival marches in Glasgow have led to a number of skirmishes in the city. |
About 1,500 anti-racism protesters marched through the city under the banner Scotland United, in opposition to the Scottish Defence League (SDL). | About 1,500 anti-racism protesters marched through the city under the banner Scotland United, in opposition to the Scottish Defence League (SDL). |
The SDL - an offshoot of the English Defence League - had been attempting to hold an "anti-Islamic" demonstration. | The SDL - an offshoot of the English Defence League - had been attempting to hold an "anti-Islamic" demonstration. |
There were clashes outside Central Station and at several points around the city centre. Police said they had made five arrests. | |
The Scotland United rally, backed by trade unions, politicians and faith groups, gathered at Glasgow Green and marched to George Square. | The Scotland United rally, backed by trade unions, politicians and faith groups, gathered at Glasgow Green and marched to George Square. |
This has been a successful operation for Strathclyde Police and our partners Fiona TaylorStrathclyde Police | |
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those who attended the rally, organised to oppose the views of those involved with the SDL. | |
Police said about 80 SDL protesters gathered in Cambridge Street, north of the city centre, and there were clashes. | |
The SDL protesters, some with their faces partly covered with scarves, sang songs and chanted "SDL" as they held their demonstration. | The SDL protesters, some with their faces partly covered with scarves, sang songs and chanted "SDL" as they held their demonstration. |
Supporters of the controversial group, some waving flags or holding SDL banners, were surrounded by police officers who kept them apart from a group of counter-protesters who had congregated in the area. | Supporters of the controversial group, some waving flags or holding SDL banners, were surrounded by police officers who kept them apart from a group of counter-protesters who had congregated in the area. |
Shouts of "scum" were hurled in the direction of the SDL by some onlookers, while the group responded by clapping and waving at those who objected to their presence. | Shouts of "scum" were hurled in the direction of the SDL by some onlookers, while the group responded by clapping and waving at those who objected to their presence. |
Hundreds of police officers had gathered in Cambridge Street in a bid to prevent disruption during the static protest. | Hundreds of police officers had gathered in Cambridge Street in a bid to prevent disruption during the static protest. |
Dozens of police cars and vans lined the streets in the Cowcaddens area and police motorcyclists circled around the area while a police helicopter kept watch from above. | Dozens of police cars and vans lined the streets in the Cowcaddens area and police motorcyclists circled around the area while a police helicopter kept watch from above. |
About 1,500 anti-fascist protesters marched to George Square | About 1,500 anti-fascist protesters marched to George Square |
The SDL demonstration ended when its protesters boarded buses to take them away from the area. | The SDL demonstration ended when its protesters boarded buses to take them away from the area. |
The SDL were dispersed to other parts of the city, police said. There was later a heavy police presence in the Paisley Road area to the south of the city centre. | The SDL were dispersed to other parts of the city, police said. There was later a heavy police presence in the Paisley Road area to the south of the city centre. |
Strathclyde Police estimated about 80 people took part in the SDL protest and said some 1,500 attended the Scotland United rally at George Square. | |
Five men had been arrested - one in connection with an alleged racial breach of the peace in the Ibrox area. | |
The other four were arrested in connection with alleged breaches of the peace in the city centre and in the Central Station area. | |
Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: "This has been a successful operation for Strathclyde Police and our partners. Having two high profile demonstrations taking place in the city at the same time was always going to be a challenge. I am pleased to say that we met that challenge and that the day passed off with only minor incidents reported. | |
"When planning for a day like today, we always have to strike a balance between protecting people's right to peaceful protest and ensuring that the city continues to operate with the minimum of disruption to the people who live and work here. I believe we achieved just that." | |
"I would like to thank the public for their patience and co-operation both in the run up to and during today's events. The fact that they passed off without any major incident is a tribute to Glasgow and its people." |