A loyalist organisation that had their Remembrance Day parade halted has called for a review of the event and for police to ensure they are free to parade in the future.
The parade, by the No Surrender Bridgeton branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, was stopped by police on London Road, Calton, on Sunday amid a protest at the march being allowed to pass a Catholic Church.
In a statement released the day after the parade, the organisation said the police failed to intervene creating an “atmosphere of tension”.
READ MORE: Orange walk: Scottish Highlands loyalist march provokes outrage
It stated: “By kettling and allowing face-covered protesters to disrupt our peaceful procession to a church service, the police not only failed to protect us, but also allowed those who were inciting violence and division to go unchallenged.
“This behaviour runs contrary to the impartial role the police are expected to uphold. Instead, today’s actions reflect a clear two-tier policing system in Scotland.”
“It is unacceptable that we are now in a situation where we cannot hold a peaceful procession without interference. The same police force that we have worked with in good faith for years now appears to be turning a blind eye to these acts of aggression against the unionist community.”
The organisation said there is an "atmosphere of hostility towards the unionist, protestant, and loyalist communities".
It added: "The time has come for us to refuse to accept the ongoing disregard for our community’s rights."
John Carmichael, chairman of the Scottish Amalgamated Committee, Apprentice Boys of Derry, said: “Our procession was a lawful and peaceful act of remembrance, yet we were prevented from completing it due to the interference of violent republican elements.
“We had worked diligently with Glasgow City Council and other agencies to ensure the event would proceed smoothly. Today’s actions by Police Scotland are deeply troubling, and it is difficult to understand how the situation was allowed to escalate in this manner.
“As a fraternal organisation, the Apprentice Boys of Derry has always pledged allegiance to His Majesty the King, and we stand committed to upholding the values of peace, unity, and respect.
“However, our members cannot continue to face intimidation and obstruction without a strong and clear response from the authorities.”
Call it Out, a group campaigning against Anti-Catholic bigotry and anti-Irish racism in Scotland, had asked on social media for people to assemble outside St Mary’s and St Alphonsus churches.
It said: “Neither Glasgow City Council nor Police Scotland are in any way interested in protecting our community so we must do it ourselves.”
Following the parade being halted, it said: “Today Glasgow’s Irish Catholic community and other principled anti-racists successfully forced an anti-Catholic march to be rerouted away from St Alphonsus Church.
“This is a massive victory against those who have sought to intimidate and harass our community for much too long.
“The outrageous disruption to community life was caused by the refusal of Glasgow City Council to uphold Sheriff Reid’s 2019 judgement to use the powers it has to reroute bigoted marches to protect communities and worshippers.”
READ MORE: Glasgow: Loyalist parades on same day as Irish republican march
Following the incident, a spokesperson for the council said they received no reports that would justify imposing prior conditions on the procession.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council, said: “The legislation that governs public processions and how councils respond to them is set nationally.
"The council follows and will continue to follow that legislation.”
Police Scotland declined to comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article