Glasgow Pride stands by Police Scotland following arrests during parade
Glasgow Pride has stood by Police Scotland after five people were arrested during the parade on Saturday.
Five arrests were made out of roughly 5,000 people attending Glasgow Pride yesterday.
Despite more than 5,000 estimated revellers peacefully enjoying the festivities, five arrests were made at the event.
And despite complaints, Glasgow Pride has stood with the police on the decision to make the arrests.
Organisers said they were “saddened that this shameful attempt to sabotage the parade has come from within the LGBTI community.”
They added: “Whilst we understand that others may have a different view on this. Actions which endanger others will not be permitted.”
Some complained though that the protesters and some of those arrested were peacefully protesting and should not have been arrested.
One Facebook user wrote: “Pride is fundamentally a protest. The people arrested were arrested for peacefully protesting. Furthermore, they were arrested in an overly forceful manner. To say that they put the march or the wellbeing of other people in danger is nonsense.”
Another added: “With this statement you have delegitimised your statement that pride is a protest. You’re condoning the arresting of protesters at your protest.”
The full statement from Glasgow Pride is below:
Pride Glasgow is extremely disappointed in the actions of a small group of people that tried to target the Pride Glasgow Parade yesterday. Whilst Pride Glasgow promotes an Equality for all agenda and free speech the actions of this group jeopardised the safety of everyone attending the parade.
The Pride Parade in Glasgow has always been a platform for protest alongside a celebration of LGBTI life and we are saddened that this shameful attempt to sabotage the parade has come from within the LGBTI community.
Pride Glasgow fully encourage the participation of uniformed services in the Parade including the Police and whilst we understand that others may have a different view on this. Actions which endanger others will not be permitted.
Pride Glasgow support the actions of Police Scotland in dealing with this group to ensure the safety of everyone on the Parade and the Festival. Pride Glasgow has worked closely with the police and relevant agencies to put appropriate measures in place to deal with incidents at all levels especially given the current threat level.
This year’s Parade was one of the biggest ever to happen in Glasgow and with over 90 floats and walking groups alongside over 6000 individuals the majority of which followed the correct guidelines set out by Glasgow City Council for Parades but we were disappointed that Sheboom a group who have taken part historically in the parade felt the need to break this by splitting the parade and continuing to play music outside the Cathedral which is a requirement from Glasgow City Council for all Parades to cease music during the passing of any place of worship.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday became the first serving Scottish First Minister to address Glasgow Pride and said it was a “privilege” to speak at the event.
Ms Sturgeon joined thousands who took to the streets of Glasgow for Pride, wore a rainbow floral necklace and even got her face painted.
Police confirmed that two men had been arrested for breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman told the Scotsman: “Yesterday, two men aged 16 and 24-years-old were arrested and detained in custody.
“This was for alleged breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation, police obstruction and resisting police arrest.
“They are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.
“Another man, aged 19, and two women, aged 23 and 28 were also arrested and liberated for alleged breach of the peace.”
Speaking at Glasgow Green, Ms Sturgeon said: “Love is Love, wherever you are and whoever you are.”
Going on she added: “My pledge as your first minister today is this: as long as I hold this office we will continue to do everything we need to do to make sure Scotland is not just one of the best countries in the world, but the best country in the world for LGBTI rights.”
Organisers had said the Pride event was intended to send a message that nobody should feel unable to enjoy family life scared of discrimination.
The Armed Forces also took part in Pride for the first time.
Police had ramped up security for the event in the wake of a terrorist incident in Barcelona which left 14 dead and many more injured.
Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer said: “The measures that we’ve put in place for the Edinburgh festival and the Pride march in Glasgow are proportionate to the events.
“I’m quite confident that they’ll be very successful events and everyone attending them will enjoy them.”
