HUMZA Yousaf has said intimidation “will not work” after a far-right bigot targeted his constituency office.
Jayda Fransen, the former Britain First deputy leader who was jailed over hate crimes against Muslims, and four others held up a banner reading “it’s okay to be white” outside the Justice Secretary’s Pollok office.
A photograph was taken of the group holding the banner which features a “British Freedom Party” logo and the “all lives matter” phrase – which is considered by many equality campaigners to detract from the message of “Black Lives Matter”.
In 2018 Fransen was sentenced to 36 weeks in jail after she and the party’s leader Paul Golding were found guilty of religiously aggravated harassment.
The Daily Record reported that the police have asked Yousaf if he requires extra security.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf contacts police after receiving death threats
Commenting on the image, Yousaf said: “In recent months the far-right have sent me death threats, targeting not only me but my family on the back of my solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and my promotion of the Hate Crime Bill.
The far-right turned up at my constituency office with a banner displaying the words:
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 15, 2020
"It's okay to be White" & "All lives matter"
After months of them sending me death threats.
They'll try & intimidate me but they'll not silence me.https://t.co/R65Z3dmXxP
“They have done their best to try and intimidate and silence me from speaking out and taking a stand against racism and hatred that exists in our society.”
The Justice Secretary, who was not present at his office when the protest took place, added: “Being the only ethnic minority in the Scottish Government can at times feel lonely.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf: To build a safer nation we must confront hate crime
“I am targeted in a way my colleagues never will be, purely because of the colour of my skin or my faith. Despite that, I know the vast overwhelming majority of Scots reject the message of hatred promoted by the far-right.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We were made aware of the protest and officers attended. No arrests made and the group dispersed around 1.40pm.”
Holyrood figures have voiced support for Yousaf following the incident.
Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie commented: "The far-right has been emboldened in recent years. Racism & all forms of hatred keep reinventing themselves.
"And we will keep standing against them, defeating them time & again. Pleased to join cross party support for @HumzaYousaf in the face of this attempt at intimidation."
Labour MSP Neil Findlay added: "This is a disgrace - we must condemn this type of despicable racism - solidarity."
Sending solidarity to @HumzaYousaf, his family & staff.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) December 15, 2020
I know this will only make him stronger 💪🏽
His quotes in the article really hit me. We are targeted in a way our colleagues will never be, but we must stand united against it - no matter who it’s from or who it’s against. https://t.co/8BITxgn8Nf
Another Labour figure, Anas Sarwar, replied: "His quotes in the article really hit me. We are targeted in a way our colleagues will never be, but we must stand united against it - no matter who it’s from or who it’s against."
Earlier this year Yousaf opened up about his experience with far-right abuse, saying he considered quitting politics after receiving threats from racists online.
He was “hit hard” by one video in particular which mentioned his family.
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