Chloe McDermott

Organised by ‘Stand up to Racism’ the protest recorded around 400 people in attendance in Paisley and was held in response to speculation that local ‘Far right’ activists were planning to protest outside a hotel that houses asylum seekers.

Watermill Hotel currently houses asylum seekers and a screenshot allegedly showing ‘Far Right’ activists planning to protest in Paisley. This is what prompted ‘Stand up to racism’ to organise a counter protest with speakers across different unions.

The speakers conveyed a message of unity across different backgrounds to combat racism and xenophobia across the UK. One speaker from the Scottish Socialist party said: “The ‘Far-Right want to divide us. They want us to be against each other. I say no I say let’s stand together, let’s stand as us one.”

The crowd seemed united to protect the asylum seekers as they watched on from windows. They made signs to show gratitude to the crowd below.

Another speaker who had previously stood outside the former Eriskine Bridge Hotel against Far-Right activists named Cheryl said: “Our asylum seekers and refugee siblings are welcome here and fascism isn’t.”

She went onto say how she has always seen diversity as a strength and is ‘heartbroken’ to see how many people disagree with her. She said: “If the fascists saw me and my white partner walking down the street it would be me that would be told to go home. Even though I was born in the UK and my partner is from Norway.”

She went on to describe how the government and established media have used ‘inflammatory language’ designed to divide society.

On the original incident that incited violence to spark up across the UK a murder of three young girls attending a dance class in Southport the speaker said that the Far right have ignored the issue of gender-based violence and instead used it as an excuse to cause further fear and violence. She said: “We must mourn for every victim of gender-based violence this is something the terrorists we have seen recently have neglected to do. Instead, they decide to cause further harm and hurt to people who want to live their day to day.”

After speeches were done a crowd of teenagers turned up around 7:45pm but did not attempt to start any violence. They gestured and shouted at the crowd before being talked to by police officers in attendance and sent on their way.  No ‘Far-Right’ activists made themselves known.

Another demonstration took place in Glasgow this morning and where allegedly only two ‘Far-right’ activists turned up to a large crowd of anti-racist demonstrators. Other anti – racist protests have occurred all over Scotland this weekend including Bathgate, Dumfries and Edinburgh. All of which have been in response to speculation that similar riots may be incited in Scotland. Which has yet to occur.