THREE Scottish cities will see counter-strikes to extreme far-right group events this weekend.
Groups in Scotland have called for an "emergency response" to "The Great British National Strike," a far-right coalition who oppose illegal immigration, net zero, and two-tier justice, among other issues.
The group, which has just shy of 90,000 Facebook followers, has planned strike days in 80 locations across the UK.
Six cities and one town have been targeted by extremists in Scotland; Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth.
Glasgow Trades Council, Cabaret Against Hate Speech, and the Afghan Human Rights Foundation have all joined Stand Up To Racism in organising counter-demonstrations in three of these locations.
Counter-protests in Scotland have been called for:
- Glasgow - Buchanan Steps at 11am
- Edinburgh - St Giles Cathedral at 11am
- Dundee - City Centre at 11.30am
In a call out to supporters on social media, Stand Up To Racism said: "The last time the far-right mobilised nationally in this way, we saw the horrors of fascist riots and Islamophobic pogroms, but also mass solidarity reclaiming the streets and sending them back to the gutter.
"They are trying to mobilise again in the racist climate created by Reform UK, and Keir Starmer's racist island of strangers' speech.
"Join us at Buchanan Steps at 11am on Saturday, May 24 to fill the steps with a message of solidarity with refugees, migrants and all those targeted by far-right hatred. We encourage community groups, campaigns, trade unions and solidarity organisations to hold stalls, bring their banners and signs and stand with us in solidarity for speeches and music."
The Scottish Palestine Coalition also intends to hold protests, in the same locations at 10am. They said: "We call upon our supporters to join us in a counter-protest in Edinburgh and Glasgow. A strong response is vital to protect our communities!
"We cannot allow racist ideologies and organisations to demonstrate unchallenged, we must show these groups and our government who've emboldened them that racism and xenophobia have no place in Scotland!".
The far-right protests by The Great British Strike group in Scotland:
- Aberdeen - Marischal Square
- Dumfries - Burns Statue
- Dundee - City Square
- Edinburgh - St Giles' Cathedral
- Glasgow - The Cenotaph
- Inverness - Falcon Square
- Perth - St John's Square
A GoFundMe page started by leader Richard Donaldson on behalf of the group said the strikes would be held in every city at midday.
The group said that the funds raised will go towards logistics, planning and legal costs.
"This will show Labour that we have the power, we have the strength and we have the ability to control what happens in our country," he added.
