Glasgow riots: Huge fights break out at protest as hundreds clash in bitter unity feuds

[Celerity]

Riot police out in Glasgow as Irish unity march sparks disorder
Council calls for fewer marches amid reports of smoke bombs and closure of Govan Road

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/31/riot-police-out-in-glasgow-as-irish-unity-march

Riot police, mounted officers, a force helicopter and dog units are being used in Glasgow after protesters against an Irish unity march sparked “significant disorder”. Police said the planned march through the city’s Govan area, organised by the James Connolly Republican Flute Band, was met by hundreds of “disruptive” counter-demonstrators at about 7pm.

Witnesses reported smoke bombs being used. The force said this had led to “significant disorder” around Govan Road, which was blocked by officers. Chief Superintendent Mark Hargreaves said: “Police Scotland has a duty to facilitate processions and any peaceful protest, but this kind of behaviour by persons demonstrating against the parade is utterly unacceptable.

“It is extremely disappointing to see people acting in this fashion, causing fear and alarm to members of the public as well as putting many people at risk.

“A range of policing resources are in place as part of a multi-agency response. Specialist public order officers in full protective equipment, the mounted section, air support and dog units have been deployed, and we are using proportionate tactics to de-escalate the situation as quickly and safely as possible. “Police Scotland will undertake a thorough and robust enquiry, and take any necessary action against those found to have been causing disruption.”

snip

[Ghost Dog]

1. Irish unity March - James Connolly Republican flute band - Govan

(Music starts at 1:20...)

... Chief Superintendent Mark Hargreaves said: "Police Scotland has a duty to facilitate processions and any peaceful protest, but this kind of behaviour by persons demonstrating against the parade is utterly unacceptable...

... "Police Scotland will undertake a thorough and robust enquiry and take any necessary action against those found to have been causing disruption."

At the Loyalist end, road signs and bottles had been thrown and a wheelie bin was set on fire for a makeshift blockade. Chants of "No IRA on our streets" could be heard...

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-vow-track-down-rioters-19110925

[MaryMagdaline]

2. So it begins

Brexit will incite more nationalism, and more violence

[Celerity]

3. Sectarian violence has been going on in Glasgow for decades, but Brexit will make it worse

The Old Firm is the perfect example of the huge sectarian divide in the city.

Celtic-Rangers: Old Firm the Most Heated Rivalry in World Football

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/705188-celtic-rangers-old-firm-the-most-heated-rivalry-in-world-football

Said to be worth £120 million to Scotland's economy, the Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers is one of the most highly-anticipated, hotly-contested and important rivalries on the football calendar. Breaching the Glasgow divide to cross paths at least four times a season, Celtic and Rangers have a long history of being locked together in mortal combat.

And unlike most rivalries in world football, there's more riding on these games than just three points, a bit of pride or a place in the next round of the cup. The Old Firm may not have the world famous superstars of El Clásico, or be as colourful as El Superclásico, and it may not even be as downright vicious as the Derby delle Capitale or the Clássico dos Milhões, but it certainly is the most fervent.

When these two meet in the Old Firm, it's not just about football. It's about politics, religion, and differing social attitudes. And at the moment, it's about religion especially, with sectarian chanting rife in the Ibrox or Parkhead stands, as the Protestants of Rangers and the Catholics of Celtic clash yet again.

One man at the centre of such sectarianism is Celtic boss Neil Lennon, a former Northern Ireland international and a well-renowned Catholic, who if reports in the newspapers and the words of die-hard Rangers fans are to be believed, is almost a "dead man walking." Rangers fans, and their unionist supporters from Northern Ireland, target Lennon as he's a well-known Catholic and nationalist, the antithesis of the typical Rangers fan and Northern Irish citizen.

snip


Football's Most Dangerous Rivalry

[Denzil_DC]

4. Correct. Such marches are constant flashpoints, but far more often the Orange Marches.

Coupled and allied to certain football team loyalties, often related to the remnants of sectarianism, if you mix in the current upheavals, it's a potentially explosive mix, but it's not new or, unfortunately, "beginning".

The ugliest scenes we've had in Scotland related to politics in recent times were on the night and day after the independence referendum, when "loyalist" union flag-wielding thugs, many imported from England for the occasion, rioted in Glasgow's George Square and had running battles with the police and anyone else who got in their way in the streets around it.

It has to pointed out that many among the teams' supporters are revolted and angered by the fringe that get all the publicity - it's not monolithic.

[Denzil_DC]

5. I've mentioned before the courting of Orange Order "loyalists" by Ruth Davidson et al.

I was reminded yesterday that their influence stretches beyond the streets, the voting booth and certain council seats (this is from last February):

Secret Brexit meeting between Orange Order and Scottish Tory minister

TORY Scotland Office minister Ian Duncan met with the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland ahead of a key Brexit vote at Westminster.

Lord Duncan, who is parliamentary under secretary of state at the Scotland and Northern Ireland offices, was one of a handful of Scottish politicians lobbied at a meeting with top Orange Order officials from different parts of the UK ahead of the meaningful vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement.

According to the most recent issue of the Lodge’s in-house magazine The Torch, “the Grand Masters met with politicians and their advisers from across the party spectrum”.

Among the “notable Scottish politicians” present, it says, were Scottish Labour MP Hugh Gaffney and LibDem peer Malcolm Bruce, and his MP colleague Alistair Carmichael – although the magazine mistakenly calls him Alistair Campbell.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/17404171.secret-brexit-meeting-between-orange-order-and-scottish-tory-minister/