Council and police rule out anti-Muslim protest

Source: Scottish Islamic Foundation

Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police have said that permission would not be granted to the Scottish Defence League to protest.

Mosques in Glasgow and Kilmarnock have been identified by the far right Scottish Defence League and their English counterpart as possible scenes of protest.

In Glasgow, we understand that they have discussed George Square, Pollokshields and the Sheriff Court as possible locations. The latter seems like a strange place to hold a demonstration till it is understood that it is across the street from Glasgow Central Mosque.

Also discussed has been a pub in Kilmarnock, the Hillhead Tavern, which is the subject of interest from a Muslim group to buy and convert into a mosque.

There are a number of other logistical issues that have been thrown up by the proposed SDL and EDL action. One is that NATO will be meeting in Edinburgh on November 14th. Police resources are already going to be at maximum stretch – on the other side of the country.

Next is the football connection. Organising websites have been focussing in on casuals. They’ve particularly highlighted Rangers supporters as a possible source of support. A dedicated SDL Rangers FC supporters page has been set up on Facebook. There is no game on 14th November (international weekend and Scotland have no fixtures!), but the other date that the EDL have earmarked is 7th November, when Rangers play St Mirren at Ibrox.