by Bill Heaney
Police Scotland is preparing for a significant anti-racism protest expected to take place in Glasgow tomorrow.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “Large numbers are expected in Glasgow city centre tomorrow, and a significant policing operation will be in place to support public safety and minimise disruption.
“Our role is to facilitate lawful activity, protect the public and respond appropriately to any incidents that may arise.
“People have the right to express their views lawfully, and we will act to keep people safe, protect communities and reduce the impact on residents, businesses and visitors.
“We will continue to engage with organisers and partners as part of our planning, with a focus on public safety and preventing disorder.
“We recognise the concerns felt within communities, particularly following recent events in Belfast, and we understand that those concerns may be heightened at this time.
“It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.
“There must be no repeat of the disorder and violence seen in the city earlier this week, when members of our communities were targeted because of the colour of their skin and officers working to keep people safe were injured.
“The behaviour witnessed has rightly been condemned across Scotland as it does not reflect the country’s values.
“There is no place in Scotland for racism, hatred or violence of any kind.
“My message is clear. Those attending must do so lawfully, and the police will support public safety.
“But we must issue a warning that anyone seeking to exploit recent events to break the law, promote racism or violence, or disrupt people’s lives should be in no doubt that Police Scotland will respond decisively and robustly to keep communities safe.”
Meanwhile, anyone who was involved in the violence or disorder in Scotland on Tuesday night should “expect to see the police and get arrested”, a senior officer has said.
Demonstrations and protests were held in several locations across Scotland following a stabbing attack on Monday night in North Belfast.
Sudanese man Hadi Alodid, 30, has appeared in court charged with the attack, with the 44-year-old victim, Stephen Ogilvie, said to have lost an eye as a result.
Why is it that it’s the Union Jack supporting thugs that are carrying out the horrendous rioting and attacks in North Belfast.
In Northern Ireland, it is crystal clear that it is thugs from loyalist areas who are burning people out of their homes.
What is it that causes so many of the lumpen Union Jack brigade to act this way?
Immigration, is a good thing. But it needs to be managed. Integration and assimilation are key considerations.
Skin colour is irrelevant albeit that our last First Minister had a thing about ‘ ‘white, white, white’, which was less than helpful. Maybe Humza Yousaf had a colour measuring meter. Or, more likely, was it the rant of sectarian religious intolerance.
We certainly know a bit about that in Scotland from our history of sectarianism. And we managed that without a colour measuring meter.
Anyway, immigration, properly, and I mean properly managed, can be a good thing.
A lot of people who come make huge contributions to our society, which sadly does not educate and train enough indigenous folks in a UK very much on the economic slide.
And Brexit, and the kicking out of Europeans? That was going to sort it, wasn’t it?