VANDALS have carried out a "callous and ignorant" act of racism after a Holocaust memorial was desecrated.

Thugs have ripped the rose tree from the Roma Holocaust memorial in Queen's Park - the second time the tribute has been targeted. 

But defiant campaigners have said the memorial, the work of young Roma people from Govanhill, will be repaired.

David Donaldson, chairman of Roma advocacy and support charity Romano Lav, said: "We are extremely disappointed to hear that the Roma Holocaust memorial has once again been vandalised. 

"This was a truly callous and ignorant act. 

"To destroy a memorial to thousands of innocent men, women and children who were murdered during the Holocaust is an unspeakable act; but to do so during a time of global pandemic, while communities are losing loved ones is unforgivable. 

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"This year is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, but this act of vandalism shows us that much work is still to be done in challenging the racism and deeply engrained prejudice that our Roma communities face here in Scotland." 

The Glasgow Times told last November how the Romani Rose Tree Memorial in Queen's Park had been destroyed.

It had been placed in the park thanks to the efforts of young Roma people from Govanhill to mark Roma Holocaust Day on August 2.

The commemoration remembers the day in 1944 when more than 4000 Roma people were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

In January this year, thanks to Romano Lav and support from Glasgow City Council, the memorial was replaced.

But at the weekend it was noticed the rose tree has been snapped near its base and the tree is gone.

David added: "Romano Lav will support a new memorial to be planted in memory of the Roma victims of the Holocaust. 

"Govanhill has a long history of standing against racism, notably chasing the Black Shirts out in the 1930s – it’s time now that we once again stand together and drive out the ignorance and hatred that has vandalised this memorial for the second time."