Every year it has grown, though with peaks and troughs, usually depending on the level of fascist activity. It would be fair to say that this year’s event suffered slightly from the mobilisation of two weeks ago, when a significant defeat was imposed on the so-called Scottish Defence brand of fascism. (See previous posts on this site)
Coordinated by the STUC, this year’s march started at ST Andrew in the Square church and marched through the city centre to the GFT. Led by the drumming band She-boom, the march attracted considerable attention, for the noise it generated if nothing else, as the drummers were followed by a pipe band.
The route went through the major city thoroughfares creating a buzz among the hordes of Christmas shoppers. This was in contrast to the more regular routes of marches, the majority of which seem to take place on the more obscure streets.
About 2000 marchers from all the major trade unions were represented, as well as Hope Not Hate, Palestine Solidarity and the STUC Black Workers representatives. The march ended with a rally in the GFT, where a variety of speakers expressed the message that there is no room for fascism in Scotland, and no place for complacency in the fight against it
Jane Carolan
