Thousands gather in Glasgow for Pro-Palestine demonstration

Activists gathered at the Buchanan Street steps from 1pm today to take part in one of a number of demonstrations across Scotland today. 

We previously reported a section of Bath Street had to be closed this afternoon as those taking part gathered along Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street.

The events were organised by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) – a group consisting of religious organisations and activists including Scottish Friends of Palestine and the Muslim Community of Scotland.

Pictures from the protest show thousands of people gathered, with signs displaying statements such as "stop the genocide", "freedom for Palestine" and "ceasefire now".

Ahead of the rallies, SPSC chairman Gerry Coutts said: "The focus of our rally will be on people killed in wars, including both world wars, with a renewed call to end all wars.

"We will also call for an end to war crimes, including those currently being committed in occupied Palestine.

"The conflict did not start on October 7.

"The besieged people of Palestine have endured over seven decades of illegal occupation, violence and loss of land and rights.

"We are calling for an immediate ceasefire and with it concrete steps from the international community to bring lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

"This can only happen by respecting international law and by bringing an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine."

The demonstrations come against the backdrop of heightened political tensions, with a pro-Palestinian march in London on Armistice Day being branded “provocative and disrespectful” by the Prime Minister.

Yesterday, Art Workers for Palestine Scotland staged a sit in at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Dozens of campaigners sat down on the floor in the main hall, across from the museum’s large organ.

It comes after the group organised a sit-in at Glasgow Queen Street train station on Monday, and on Wednesday demonstrators gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to read the names of “7028 murdered in Gaza”.