A ' racist ' group has sparked fury after hanging banners studying 'White Lives Matter' over landmarks in Glasgow. The disturbing pickets had been hung up on statues in metropolis centre at 9am on Sunday, July 31.
Photos present the Queen Victoria and William Gladstone monuments in George Sq. and the Duke of Wellington on Ingram Road had been among the many sculptures to be focused. It's understood that the pickets had been erected as a counter-response to the Black Lives Matter motion - a worldwide marketing campaign for racial equality.
Different photos shared on social media present a gaggle of round eight folks standing outdoors the Gallery of Fashionable Artwork with a person in sun shades holding up one of many indicators. Condemning the 'racist' motion, chief of Glasgow Metropolis Council, Susan Aitken, mentioned that officers will assist police with future enforcement whether it is deemed mandatory.
She mentioned: “This can be a slogan that we now have seen utilized by the far proper, by precise neo Nazis, in America. It isn’t making some intelligent level about equality – it's a racist try and trivialise, excuse and ignore the discrimination, hate and violence endured by folks of color.
"I don’t imagine it's a marketing campaign that has a lot assist in Glasgow – and the council will definitely take steps to take away this kind of materials and assist police in the event that they imagine different motion is important.”
Livid witnesses have hit out on the marketing campaign, with one warning that the indicators are usually not welcome within the metropolis.
One man, who wished to not be named, mentioned:" I used to be shocked and disillusioned to see these far-right teams turning into increasingly emboldened to turning into lively in the course of Glasgow. All of us pleasure ourselves in being a pleasant and multicultural metropolis however I imagine these indicators might make BAME folks in our metropolis really feel undesirable and unsafe.
"I'm disgusted and these are usually not welcome in our group."
In the meantime, SNP councillor Angus Millar has blasted the wording on the indicators and urged locals to unite to name the sloganeering out.
The town centre consultant mentioned: "It is distressing to see these indicators in Glasgow. Racism has no place in our metropolis and these kinds of slogans are meant to claim white supremacy within the face of actions for racial and social justice akin to Black Lives Matter.
“Glasgow has a protracted historical past of standing as much as racism and I'm certain the town will come collectively once more to name this sloganeering out.”
In June 2020, 1000's of individuals took to the streets in Scotland in primarily peaceable protests as a part of the worldwide Black Lives Matter motion. It adopted after the dying of a person named George Floyd whereas in police custody within the US.
Police Scotland confirmed that officers are investigating the matter.
A spokesperson mentioned:“Officers had been known as to stories of indicators being positioned on monuments at George Sq. at 8.25am on Sunday, July 31. The indicators had been eliminated. Inquiries are ongoing.”
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