Fight back against lies used to promote Glasgow protests
Anonymous social media accounts accused of “tapping into fears of communities”,
Last updated 8 hours ago
Glasgow City Council says lies are being spread on social media in an attempt to whip up a protest this weekend.
It says posts claiming a care home in Possilpark will be turned into accommodation for asylum seekers are untrue.
That's as police share their concerns that anonymous social media accounts are “tapping into fears of communities”.
Violent incidents
The protests are the latest in months of simmering tensions in Scotland’s biggest city, which included racist attacks on members of the public in the city centre last month.
Gatherings sprang up in the Cranhill and Castlemilk areas of the city outside homes where online rumours suggested people accused of criminality were living.
A 32-year-old man was arrested at the first protest, while vandalism and a projectile being thrown from the crowd were reported at the second – which police have said was as a result of “mistaken identity”, with an “innocent member of the public” being targeted.
"We are not anti protest; we are anti crime"
In a statement, the Assistant Chief Constable Alan Wadell said: "There is a clear difference between lawful protest and criminality.
"We are not anti-protest; we are anti-crime.
"Violence, disorder, hate crime and threatening behaviour that puts people at risk are not legitimate protest.
"We recognise the concerns felt across communities and the importance of an appropriate and proportionate police response.
"Policing decisions are made independently, based on evidence — not politics or online commentary."
"Innocent member of the public targeted"
He continued: "While most protests are peaceful, there have recently been instances where people with criminal records have attached themselves to protests with the aim of inciting disorder.
"There has also been mistaken identity, including in Castlemilk, where the home of an innocent member of the public was targeted.
"I understand that uncertainty and speculation can cause concern, but I ask people to think carefully about what they read online.
"If you have concerns, report them and allow police and partners to do our job."
The Assistant Chief Constable finished: "Anyone seeking to exploit recent events to break the law, promote racism or violence, or disrupt people’s lives should be in no doubt: Police Scotland will respond decisively and robustly."
Care home is NOT being closed
Glasgow City Council has also knocked down the rumours about the facility in Possilpark, for which a planning application has been submitted to build an extension.
The planning application for the care home states it is for: “Proposed internal alterations to create nine additional residential care bedrooms, formation of new entrance lobby and creation of four additional car parking spaces”
Further information supplied by the applicant states: “The objective of the proposal is to increase capacity within an existing operational care home while simultaneously upgrading the quality of accommodation and bringing the facility into closer alignment with contemporary care standards and care inspectorate expectations.”
“Allander Court occupies an established care home site. The building currently operates as a residential care facility providing accommodation and support for older persons and individuals requiring assisted living and nursing care.
“The proposal does not involve a change of use and retains the site’s established function as a care facility.”
Police fears
David Kennedy, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said the scenes were “disgraceful” and had been “orchestrated by individuals that are not from Glasgow”.
“I think it’s happening right now because there’s certain individuals (for whom) it’s about violence, it’s not about protest, it’s about causing disruption,” he said.
Thomas Kerr, the deputy leader of Reform UK Scotland said: “The city feels as if it’s at breaking point and that’s now coming to a head because the political establishment, in particular, have ignored working class communities for far too long.”
He added: “I’m always supportive of protests, where it crosses the line is when you see violence, which is what we’ve seen in Cranhill.
“When you start smashing up police cars, attacking police officers, you lose the fight.”
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