AN MSP is calling for a ban on anti-migrant groups who "clearly intend to cause terror," "incite violence" and "threaten people simply because of the colour of their skin".
Amid the spike in anti-migrant protests across Scotland, an MSP from the Scottish Greens has urged the UK Home Office to consider proscribing violent anti-migrant groups, while the LibDems say the UK Government must "remain alert" to “evolving threats posed by extremist groups".
Last weekend, protests in Glasgow saw 15 arrests, a man performing a Nazi salute, and a delivery driver being attacked. This latest protest-turned-riot has sparked widespread condemnation.
The National can also reveal that the National Union of Journalists has warned that reporters covering the protests have faced attacks.
Among the groups to travel to Glasgow to protest on Saturday was Unite the Clans (formerly Aberdeen Against illegal Migration), whose rallies have seen assaults on counter-demonstrators and racist abuse hurled at asylum seekers.
Speaking exclusively to The National, Maggie Chapman MSP said: "Unite the Clans and groups like them clearly intend to cause terror.”
The Scottish Greens politician is calling for the proscription of the organisation, which would effectively outlaw membership or expressions of support for the group.
Proscription is a legal instrument involving a proposal by the Home Secretary on an assessment that a group promotes or is involved in terrorism. Newly proscribed groups must then be approved by UK Parliament.
Maggie Chapman MSP said: "I would support the proscription of such groups, to ensure we have the powers we need to prevent attacks on people of colour, on civic and community cohesion, and on our democratic institutions.”
The Scottish Greens politician, who was born in Zimbabwe, has been targeted by the anti-migrant group based in Aberdeen.
Clips posted online show Chapman being insulted and followed by the members of Unite the Clans. One video seen by The National shows a participant of an anti-migrant rally appearing to threaten her by saying “I’d love to f****** slit her throat.”
Chapman shared: "I have seen them up close and have experienced their threats and intimidation. Indeed, one of their members said, on camera, ‘I’d love to fucking slit her throat’ after hurling abuse at me.
"Unite the Clans’ members are far right activists who have targeted refugees and shown they are a very real threat to anyone who disagrees with them.
“They have physically and verbally threatened people simply because of the colour of their skin, incited violence towards individuals and large groups of people, and have targeted our democratic structures and institutions.”
Chapman added: "The bar for proscription should always be high and should be determined by the physical threat and risk of harm an organisation poses, as well as the way they operate.
Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP, who originally comes from Taiwan, is the justice spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. She said: “There are a number of racist, neo-Nazi organisations that are rightly proscribed because their activities meet the tests set out in the Terrorism Act.
“The Home Office must remain alert to the evolving threats posed by other extremist groups in this area.
“First and foremost it is for the police to respond to fascist violence and deal with bad actors stirring up disorder and division in our communities.
“The Scottish Government need to closely monitor this situation and the public will want reassurance that breaches of the law are being taken seriously.”
Scottish leadership has condemned violence in Glasgow, with FM John Swinney telling STV: “We live in a democracy and people have the right to protest but the behaviour on the weekend was absolutely and completely unacceptable.”
“I condemn unreservedly the behaviour that was undertaken at the weekend,” Swinney added.
The FM was previously challenged to push for proscription of anti-migrant groups by a member of the public in a video posted to social media. Swinney (below) responded that it is a decision for the UK Government.
Following violence on the weekend, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) today warned that reporters have been targeted in protests. A statement read: “Anti-immigration riots across Scotland have led to an increase in journalists being threatened, harassed and attacked in the street.”
Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ organiser for Scotland, told The National: "No worker should be harassed when working and journalists are no different when carrying out their work. The NUJ is extremely concerned about the recent increase in reports of members being threatened and attacked while doing their job, particularly those connected to public protests.
The Home Secretary was contacted for comment on whether it is considering proscribing any anti-migrant group in Scotland.
