Frankie Boyle backs demonstration in Glasgow this weekend

The comedian and the former First Minister are among those supporting the Stand Up to Racism rally to mark World Refugee Day.

Refugee rights organisations, the STUC trade union federation, eight national unions, the National Union of Students, anti-war activists and advocacy groups are gathering for a rally, followed by a march and then an event in the Old Fruitmarket on Saturday.

(Image: SRC)

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Among the speakers will be human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar.

He said: “With the rise of the far right and Reform in the UK, fascist ideas once relegated to the gutter are treated as mainstream ideas, feted by the media.

“We have no alternative but to fight back, to counter every hate-filled racist lie and to defend our communities. We have won before and will do so again, but I feel the stakes have never been higher.”

Scottish singer Iona Fyfe will be performing at the Old Fruitmarket among other acts.

The organisers say the demonstration calls for ”an end to the scapegoating of refugees and migrants, safe routes for those seeking asylum, an end to the deportations the Labour government is ramping up and to lift the ban that prevents asylum seekers from working.”

Mohammad Asif, director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, said: “Refugees are the direct result of injustice and illegal wars and illegal invasions.

“We are the victims of profound injustices. We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, with the same hopes and ambitions.

“The far right are attempting to seize the ‘grooming gangs’ issue to stir up Islamophobia, racism and division and we need to come together to fight this cancer in our society.”

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Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing, said: “The Prime Minister’s recent anti-immigration rhetoric echoes the far right – blaming refugees and migrants for the consequences of political failure.

“Migrants are not the problem. They are our family members, our friends, neighbours, co-workers, carers, and part of the communities that keep this country going.

“This government could fix the housing crisis, fund public services, and support working people – but instead, it scapegoats the vulnerable and fans the flames of racism. We will stand united  to resist this politics of fear and division.”