SCOTTISH council leaders have issued a statement voicing “growing concerns” over protests being held outside of hotels housing asylum seekers.
Cosla, an umbrella body which represents all 32 Scottish council areas, released the statement following a meeting with council leaders on Friday where concern over “community cohesion” was raised by a number of councillors.
It comes as more protests linked to far-right movements are set to take place in Falkirk at the Cladhan Hotel, prompting Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and the Scottish Trade Union Council (STUC) to announce an “emergency demonstration” in response.
Cosla president, councillor Shona Morrison, said: “While there is an important democratic right to peaceful protest and assembly in this country, councils across Scotland are highlighting growing concern about the rise in protests where false claims and hateful rhetoric are being spread, and where the expression of racist sentiment, violence and intimidation are becoming commonplace.
“Coupled with an associated increase in misleading and factually incorrect information being circulated online, this is resulting in increasing divisions in our communities that are deeply worrying.
“Cosla therefore reaffirms the commitment of Scottish councils to welcome all people who are seeking safety in this country and to work in partnership across our communities to ensure that all feel safe and included, and are treated with dignity and respect, no matter where they are from.”
Police Scotland launched an investigation into the protest in Falkirk on August 16, where an individual was pictured holding a banner reading: “Kill ‘em all. Let God sort ‘em out.”
On August 23, anti-racist activists declared victory over far-right demonstrators in Perth, who had gathered outside of the city’s Radisson Blu hotel.
Cosla community wellbeing spokesperson, councillor Maureen Chalmers, added: “Scotland has a proud history of welcoming people who are fleeing conflict and oppression, and Scottish councils continue to play a key role in this.
“In recent years this has included providing support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and for people whose lives were under threat because of their work with the UK Government in Afghanistan.
“It is right and proper that asylum applicants are also provided with the support that they need while their claims for asylum are being assessed. However, it should be noted that it is the Home Office which provides them with accommodation and financial support during this process.”
