Peaceful demonstrators have every right to make their voices heard without fear of intimidation.
That is a fundamental part of a healthy democratic society.
Police frequently have to put themselves in harm’s way to make that possible.
We have the greatest respect for frontline officers as they try and keep the peace in often tense situations.
Just such an occasion happened when far-right protesters turned up at George Square in Glasgow at the same time as a Black Lives Matters protest on June 20.
But according to claims made by Labour MSP James Kelly, police failed to distinguish between a hooligan element and genuine peaceful protesters.
Kelly has sent a dossier to Police Scotland – reported today by the Daily Record – which makes alarming reading.
According to Kelly, peaceful demonstrators – including a priest and a young child – were “shoved, tripped and manhandled” by officers.
Police used “kettling” to contain demonstrators, a tactic more often seen with groups of football supporters.
The force has already claimed that some elements at the rally were behaving in a threatening manner and had to be dealt with. We know that is true, as we reported on it at the time.
But it is also claimed that ordinary citizens attempting to show solidarity with an international campaign against racism were mistreated.
If officers did treat peaceful protesters like hooligans, that cannot be repeated. The health of Scotland’s democracy depends on it.
