Anti-racism campaigners tell far-right thugs 'no place for hate in Scotland' (2024)

Anti-racism campaigners told far-right thugs there is no place for hate in Scotland today after a defiant demo in Paisley. Around 300 supporters of Stand up to Racism gathered outside the Watermill Hotel to show their support for the asylum seekers who are living inside.

SUTR organised the counter-protest after far-right activists from the Scottish Defence Group called on supporters to meet at the site on Friday evening to protest against "hundreds of illegal fighting aged men being housed in our communities that are a danger to our children".

Posting on TikTok from an account that had around 2,300 followers before being deleted, the SDG had also shared information about similar events in Aberdeen, East Kilbride, Glasgow and Greenock for this weekend.

However, the group failed to show, with SUTR members claiming they were "scared and outnumbered". Around 20 police officers were seen in the area, ready to step in if any SDG thugs arrived.

The anti-fascist activists gathered in crowds to defend those inside The Watermill, chanting: "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here".

Terrified families peered out of windows, holding up banners thanking the crowds who turned up to protect them. One poster read: 'Respect. Thank You.' Men could be seen waving and making peace signs as the group outside chanted 'No place for racism'.

Activist Jen Bell spoke to the crowd, saying she was "here in solidarity with all of her brothers and sisters". She added: "We are working-class people who are here to show our support to all refugees. There is no place for racism in this country.

"We want to show the people living in this hotel that they are welcome in Scotland. The far-right are a bunch of cowards. We outnumber them constantly. They see the crowds we attract and run in the other direction. Ordinary, working people have organised this and shown our strength in numbers. We do not agree with them.

"We will always resist them and we will always reject them. They are not welcome on our streets and they are not welcome in Scotland."

Nora Pykkonen was pictured holding banners which read ‘We are all human' and 'Stop pretending your racism is patriotism'. She said: “Now is the time to stop hate. Everyone belongs here. I am here to show my support to the refugees living inside. We are all human. The hate needs to stop."

Human Rights campaigner Mohammad Asif told crowds not to listen to "dirty politicians". Speaking to the hundreds of demonstrators, he said: "The people living inside this hotel are given £8 per week to live on, yet we are told they get everything. This is not true.

"People should not listen to the lies of dirty politicians. These men and women are not allowed to work for one year and are expected to live off of £8 per week."

Isla Macintosh, pictured with a banner saying 'Hope not Hate', said: “I’ve been really shocked by the threatening behaviour happening down South. I’m horrified that people are now scared to leave their homes. It’s shocking behaviour. I’m here today to show support and solidarity to all asylum seekers.”

A handful of far-right members showed up after the main rally ended and attempted to provoke the SUTR members. The hooded and masked men ran up to members and held cameras in their faces.

When challenged by cops, one man could be heard saying: "I'm allowed to take videos, like everyone else." The officers quickly moved the half-dozen men on, with the rest of the event passing peacefully.

It comes after protests broke out in towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland in the last two weeks, following the tragic deaths of Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Bebe King, 6 and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, in Southport on July 29.

Axel Rudakubana, who turned 18 this week, has appeared in court charged with their murders at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, as well as the attempted murder of eight other children.

The incident sparked riots in the town, sparked by disinformation about the attacker, with mosques targeted. The disorder then spread to different areas, with over 400 arrests made so far, including a 15-year-old from Glasgow.

Far-right thugs set fires at two hotels housing asylum seekers, one in Rotherham and a second in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Dozens of police officers have been injured after being pelted with bricks, urine, fireworks, fence panels and bollards.

Rioters have been warned they could be caged for as long as 10 years as the UK Government attempts to crack down on the unrest. Justice Minister Heidi Alexander has warned that there is "a prison place waiting for" rioters who become involved in violent scenes.

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