Rival protesters clash at Glasgow ‘reclaim our streets’ rally

Police attempted to contain counter protesters as campaign group Stand Up To Racism held a demonstration in the city centre.

Rival protesters clashed in Glasgow on Saturday after thousands descended on the city for an anti-racism rally.

Some in the small counter-protest group performed what appeared to be Nazi salutes as the two groups gathered at Buchanan Street in the city centre.

Stand Up To Racism organised the “reclaim our streets – stand up to the far right” demonstration following disorder earlier in the week in the wake of the stabbing attack in Belfast by a Sudanese man.

Police said disorder saw people in the city targeted due to the colour of their skin, while a Glasgow mosque was forced to lock worshippers inside for their safety.

Saturday’s rally saw thousands of anti-racism protesters gather alongside a significantly smaller group of counter-protesters who were fenced off from the main group by police.

Most of the counter-protesters, who were almost exclusively men, wore balaclavas or other face coverings.

The scene became tense as police tried to contain the group that had attempted to break free from the barriers.

The group eventually spilled out onto Bath Street under Buchanan Galleries.

Projectiles, including drink cans, were thrown towards the Stand Up To Racism group, while an egg appeared to be thrown towards the counter protesters.

Some of the counter protesters waved Union flags, and others waved Israel flags while the anti-racism side waved Palestinian, Ukraine and Scotland flags.

Some of the men who counter-protested shouted “Allah Allah who the f*** is Allah” while anti-racism protesters shouted “Nazi scum off our streets”.

Several politicians attended the anti-racism rally, including Labour MSPs Paul Sweeney and Pauline McNeill, along with Green MSPs Iris Duane and Holly Bruce.

Former SNP equalities minister Kaukab Stewart and prominent human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar also attended.