Glaswegians protesting the ongoing closure of public venues including libraries and sports facilities are to hold a rally outside the Scottish Parliament.
The Glasgow Against Closures group will be taking their campaign to Holyrood next week to 'hold the Scottish Government to account for the continued defunding of services and communities in Glasgow'.
The group was formed following the decision by Glasgow Life not to reopen some public services following the pandemic, including 59 libraries.
Glasgow Life also called for community groups to take over sports and leisure facilities that they can no longer afford to operate under their current budget - with the facilities forced to remain shut in the meantime.
Glasgow Against Closures member and organiser Callum Mackay said: "Glasgow City Council cannot be allowed to ravage our city’s heritage. These services are not a luxury, they are at the heart of any cohesive community. Our community assets should not be regarded as a cost to the public purse but an investment in the health and wellbeing of our community for generations to come."
He added: "Glasgow's public services and venues are under threat from funding cuts and ongoing austerity agendas imposed by successive governments. Sports venues, libraries, museums, and community centres are at risk of permanent closure as they face radical defunding.
"Glasgow Against Closures is holding this rally to hold the Scottish Government to account for the continued defunding of services and communities in Glasgow. Communities are facing serious deprivation due to national and local governments' cuts to public spending. Essential services are being stripped away along with employment.
"Public spending must be restored. Community services and public sector employment in our communities must be invested in to recover from this crisis. Please join us in our fight to reverse these cuts."
Local groups are being invited to join the rally on the day with a banner to stand in solidarity against the cuts.
The Glasgow Communities Unite on Parliament rally will be taking place on Thursday, September 23 at 11am outside the Scottish Parliament.
