Cameron Scott
In late July, following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, rioting broke out in England and Northern Ireland, the worst seen for more than a decade. This was fuelled by misinformation online and stoked far-right and anti-immigration sentiment. After a few days the rioting stopped and communities responded with a series of rallies against the riots. While there was no rioting in Scotland, far-right organisers announced plans to hold a ‘pro-UK’ rally in George Square, Glasgow on 7th September. This was immediately reciprocated by the political left. Various trade unions, anti-fascist and anti-racism organisations came together under the stewardship of the Stand Up To Racism organisation with the intention of holding a peaceful, family-friendly counter demonstration. Additionally, the organisers of a large Scottish Independence rally that was due to be held in Edinburgh on the same day cancelled it in favour of supporting the SUTR cause.
The day duly arrived, as did I and virtually every other documentary and press photographer that I know, and indeed many that I do not. Police Scotland, following announcements in the days prior that it would mount a vigorous operation to ensure that both sides could campaign peacefully, had set up barriers with a sterile zone in the middle to keep both sides apart. The media were given access to this area at the start, but we were subsequently ushered out once both campaigns got underway. We were however free to wander amongst the protestors on both sides, although by this time getting to the front was near impossible, especially on the SUTR side.
As it transpired the event went pretty much the way that online commentators had predicted. The far right was vastly outnumbered, estimates suggest about three hundred on their side with and three thousand on the opposing side. Although there was plenty of verbal abuse being thrown about, especially on the right side with photographers being fair game, thankfully there was no real violence as such, the exception being a group from the right attacking an Irish theme bar a few streets away. The police also enclosed and isolated a group of football supporters of Glasgow Celtic football club known as The Green Brigade who are known for their vocal support of left-wing causes, thus preventing them from joining the rally against the far-right.
After the event the social media feeds of those in support of SUTR were pretty jubilant, a battle had been won. But in reality, it was a small one, the real war against political extremism being fought on the digital battlefield.
