Anti-fascists halt Scottish Defence League in Glasgow

by Eileen Boyle

A threatened racist protest today outside Glasgow’s central mosque was blocked as the city centre was firmly in the hands of around 3,000 anti-racists and anti-fascists.

A group styling themselves the Scottish Defence League – after the English Defence League, which has attempted a series of racist protests in England – first threatened a protest outside the mosque then a march and rally in the city centre.

In response we saw one of the biggest anti-racist demonstrations anywhere in Britain for some time – despite the appalling weather.

In the event some 70 racists eventually gathered enough bravado to leave the pub where they had gathered to stand outside on the street for five minutes before being ushered onto buses by police and driven out of the city centre.

Meanwhile 3,000 people marched to protest against racism and fascism to warm support from shoppers. Trade unionists, students, members of the Muslim community and others joined together to ensure Glasgow gave zero tolerance to racist thugs whose stated aim was to intimidate the Muslim population of our city.

The following should be read alongside this article:

Unpicking the myths about immigration

Resisting the racist Scottish Defence League in Glasgow

Anti-Muslim attacks on students

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