Conditions on the day are best described as dreadful, as biting cold and wind and rain swept Glasgow Green. Still from 11.30 on, the united team slowly gathered together to prepare for the march to George Square. The pre match team talk was surprisingly inclusive, as a variety of team sponsors from Graeme Smith of the STUC to Annabel Goldie (of the Tory Party in Scotland) through the rest of the main political spectrum continually reiterated similar themes of “An injury to one is an injury to all” and that Nazis are not welcome on the streets of Glasgow.
This was backed up by speakers from the anti fascist movement and the support from all denominations on the religious range. There was continual mention of those who have already been the victims of racists on Glasgow streets and lost their lives, with a pledge that such things must never happen again. The so called Scottish Defence League have one agenda, to stir up hatred and violence and their attempt to do so by targeting Scottish Moslems and marching on Glasgow mosque was shameful attack on Glasgow itself.
From Glasgow Green 5000 Scotland United supporters marched peacefully to George Square. Trade unions as usual formed the bulk of the team and Unison was well represented in the mid field. Members from all over Scotland from our youngest through to our retired, took part though local branches were most visible. Special mention must be made of team captain Aamer Anwar who had played a crucial role in mobilising a coalition that expressed the views of the Scottish majority.
Still this show of unity would have been less effective if the pre-match preparations had not been quite so thorough. Venue owners Glasgow City Council PLC had listened carefully to its share holders and managing director Steven Purcell and his fellow executives had taken the decision that fascists were not wanted and refused them permission for a street presence.
Even more importantly Strathclyde police took their role as defenders of public order seriously and realised that the threat to peace on the streets came not from those who believe in an inclusive Glasgow but the Nazis who seek division, hatred and violence. To see the Scottish Defence League reduced to a rump huddled in a grubby back street pub where Strathclyde’s finest literally read them the riot act (the Public Order provisions) was a victory for common sense and those who believe in democracy and freedom based on our multi cultural, multi colour, multi racial society.
There are crucial lessons here that must be learned for the future. Opposition to the discredited , anti democratic policies of the far right is best expressed through a coalition of the majority , and the Scotland United movement has proved that, bringing the forces of the public authorities along with the representatives of civil society who express our values.
Jane Carolan
