Peace Over Hatred
Saturday 7 September 2024 witnessed Glasgow, Stand Up to Racism. Although an active group for many years this demonstration was a direct response to the mobilisation of the far right and their actions seen across England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Scotland, although it did not experience the same level of civil violence and targeted attacks on people who they identified as ‘foreign’ and accommodation known to house the most vulnerable people seeking asylum, often having fled violence, therefore, compounding the trauma they have experienced. This was reported in mainstream media but not identified as it should have been “Terrorism”,
The Crown Prosecution Service identifies the definition as follows; “The Terrorism Act 2000 defines terrorism, both in and outside of the UK, as the use or threat of one or more of the actions listed below, and where they are designed to influence the government, or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public. The use or threat must also be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.” This is also the definition used in Prevent, the UK counter-terrorism strategy.
Why with this in mind, does the language differ when reporting in media and central government blogs when talking about White, Right Wing, Terrorism? They report extremism, violent disorder, and sensitive issues, with the closest reference to terrorism being Islamophobic. Not only does this display the state sanctioned and systemic racism that remains in our society, but the government responses also reinforce this with the language used in their “intervention packs” with resources called “Fundamental British Values” in a country with any interest in equality “British” could have been dropped from the title. I’m sure there were people involved in the development of this at the collective cost of millions to come up with such an ‘inclusive’ of the ‘British’ person strategy. One which will only serve to achieve an increased sense of entitlement and power whilst completing the educational material based on White, British values.
On the day of the protest, the far right had set themselves up at the City Chambers end of George Square with their back to the cenotaph, as if defending the realm with their Union Jacks, Saltires, and Red Hand of Ulster flags. Had they to stop and consider the history of their flags they might understand the tarnished history of state sanctioned terrorism on home and foreign land. Estimates have the numbers supporting the Right around 300, my observation was 300 throughout the day with them coming and going in dribs and drabs with maybe 300 supporting throughout the day.
The anti-racism protesters numbered the thousands, and they were unwavering, they occupied three quarters of the square, separated with a barriered no man’s land like a battleground in the city. Mounted Police pushed back anti racism protesters as they threatened to flank the southside of the square. The cry in the face of the no surrender crowd was “we are many, you are few, this is Glasgow, who are you”. Glasgow is known as a welcoming city, but also as a violent city and Saturday sustained threats of both.
State oppression or good policing. Celtic supporters otherwise known as The Green Brigade approached the square from the farthest point of the far right, before they could join in solidarity with the anti-racism protest, they were corralled by police on foot and mounted colleagues. Circled by two lines of officers with crowds quickly gathering around police chanting “release our boys”. The club originating to feed the poor East End Irish migrants has shown solidarity with Palestine and draw comparison with occupied lands referring to Ireland. Their motivation on Saturday unknown to me, but if this was a show of solidarity and non-violent they were prevented from exercising that freedom. Intelligence from police may justify this action in maintaining public order and for that genuine peaceful protesters are thankful.
Everyone wants a fair and just society, our economic and cultural rights upheld through inclusion and safety. However, it is time for our governments devolved and national to take responsibility and clearly acknowledge, it is the failure of the state that is the reason for the social problems that the far right is blaming on refugees and migrants. It is failed social policy and fiscal management that requires to be addressed and not tougher immigration laws. It is education as to how the fundamental British values was at the heart of unjust wars and the ongoing greed that continues to arm states that inflict suffering on defenceless nations. Racism in Scotland is not a bygone era, it is more difficult to see when it is so cleverly hidden behind a rhetoric that disguises it as spending cuts and lack of resource which is why individuals, organisations, and media need to reclaim the language and call out racism, terrorism, state oppression, state violence and when it comes down to it, hatred.
On Saturday 7th September, peace overcame hatred, long may that continue but let’s call it what it is when we see it. The day ended with singing and dancing to the Italian Anti-Fascist Song O, Bella, Ciao, that gained popularity with the workers during the Italian Civil War. Like any healthy Celtic nation Glasgow came together with singing, dance and community at its heart.
