Marches, Rights and Freedoms
Police Scotland were forced to mount a major operation in Glasgow city centre on Saturday as a march commemorating Ireland's Easter Rising met with a counter-protest from 'Protestants Against Discrimination' (PAD).
Two more ridiculous groups you could hardly wish to meet, given that the Easter Rising marchers had invited 'Saordh' to address their pathetic end of march rally in Barrowland Park, attended by penny numbers of local people.
Saordh are the loathsome 'apologists' for the New IRA Republican dissidents responsible for the cowardly murder of the young woman journalist, Lyra McKee, in Derry last week.
PAD, on the other hand, are angry about Glasgow City Council's refuse to allow Orange Order marches to parade past a local church in Glasgow where a Catholic priest was attacked and spat upon last year, by a 'supporter' of a previous Orange Order march.
In some ways these two groups deserve each other, but what Glasgow doesn't deserve is the major expense and disruption required to protect people's 'right' to freedom of expression - especially when those involved are so clearly sectarian and/or prepared to justify violence in pursuit of their political goals.
Interestingly, there was very little coverage of Saturday's events in the media, apart from The Scottish Sun, but if you ask me it's high time that Glasgow showed some leadership on the issue instead of placating the zealots on both sides.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/4173787/glasgow-protest-protestants-against-discrimination-george-square-arrest/
PROTEST DRAMA
Cops rushed to control two groups who had gathered near George Square earlier this morning as surrounding streets were blocked off
By Ryan Thom - The Scottish Sun
Riot vans were used to block off roads near George Square
ONE person has been arrested for sectarian breach of the peace after two groups staged protests in Glasgow this morning.
100 people from Protestants Against Discrimination stood outside the City Chambers on George Square to protest against 'discrimination of their culture'.
There was a heavy police presence with roads around the square closed by officers.
Another march to commemorate the Easter Rising by the West of Scotland Band Alliance was taking place at the same time.
Surrounding streets were locked down until the incident was cleared with officers and vans used to block off roads.
Dog units were also present next to George Square.
Riot vans were used to block off roads near George Square
ONE person has been arrested for sectarian breach of the peace after two groups staged protests in Glasgow this morning.
100 people from Protestants Against Discrimination stood outside the City Chambers on George Square to protest against 'discrimination of their culture'.
There was a heavy police presence with roads around the square closed by officers.
Another march to commemorate the Easter Rising by the West of Scotland Band Alliance was taking place at the same time.
Surrounding streets were locked down until the incident was cleared with officers and vans used to block off roads.
Dog units were also present next to George Square.
Large groups of officers were out in force
Rival groups had gathered in the city centre
The planned protest from both groups headed towards the Trongate area of the city leading to a further Police response.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said:"There was a Scottish Protestant demo between 10 and 20 past 10 with 100 people in attendance.
"At the same time there was a West of Scotland bands protest who marched from India Street street via George Square to the Gallowgate."
"There has been no reports of any disorder but Police are in attendance to ensure that protests run peacefully.
"One person has been arrested for sectarian breach of the peace."
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council previously said: “This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislation on public processions.
“There is no such thing as a no-go area for any organisation.
"In reality, a procession passed the site in question earlier this year.
“In the case of the event planned for Easter Sunday, however, our Public Processions Committee heard evidence from Police Scotland that there was a significant potential for serious disorder if the procession went ahead on its intended route.
"This was based on intelligence relating to protests and counter-protests on the day.”
The planned protest from both groups headed towards the Trongate area of the city leading to a further Police response.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said:"There was a Scottish Protestant demo between 10 and 20 past 10 with 100 people in attendance.
"At the same time there was a West of Scotland bands protest who marched from India Street street via George Square to the Gallowgate."
"There has been no reports of any disorder but Police are in attendance to ensure that protests run peacefully.
"One person has been arrested for sectarian breach of the peace."
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council previously said: “This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislation on public processions.
“There is no such thing as a no-go area for any organisation.
"In reality, a procession passed the site in question earlier this year.
“In the case of the event planned for Easter Sunday, however, our Public Processions Committee heard evidence from Police Scotland that there was a significant potential for serious disorder if the procession went ahead on its intended route.
"This was based on intelligence relating to protests and counter-protests on the day.”
Terrorists - Home and Abroad (23/04/19)
The cowardly murderers in Sri Lanka serve as a reminder that fanatics and terrorists across the world are fundamentally the same - they can always find bogus reasons to 'justify' their use of violence to take completely innocent human lives.
Friends of slain journalist Lyra McKee have put red paint handprints over the front of dissident republican HQ Junior McDaid House in #Derry in protest over the murder of the 29-year-old #LyraMcKee
Not In Our Name! (22/04/19)
The landmark Free Derry corner has been repainted to reflect the widespread revulsion felt at the killing of Lyra McKee (Joe Boland/PA)
Cowardly Marchers (21/04/19)
48 hours after the murder of journalist #LyraMcKee a republican group who has refused to condemn the shooting marched down O'Connell St
here's what happened when I asked those matching if they condemned the murder of #LyraMcKee pic.twitter.com/F1mjDQs3Gl
Murderers Masquerade as Freedom Fighters (20/04/19)
Following the murder of a young woman journalist, Lyra McKee, in Derry on Thursday night the Revolutionary Irish Republican Party released the following statement.
If you ask me, hiding behind these cowardly, deluded, nauseating words is a gang of self-appointed, sociopaths masquerading as Irish freedom fighters.
So let's hope the community unites to bring these cowards and their supporters to justice.
