Systemic failures — not refugees — are to blame for rising tensions and violence on Scotland’s streets, a leading charity has warned.
Sabir Zazai, chief executive of the Scottish Refugee Council, has spoken after disorder broke out in Glasgow city centre on Tuesday night, following a stabbing attack in Belfast on Monday night which sparked rioting across the city, with homes and vehicles set ablaze.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people gathered on Buchanan Street at around 7pm in response.
Zazai said the scenes highlighted the real-world impact of “irresponsible language” and misinformation.
He said: “We stand in solidarity with everyone who has been affected by the deeply disturbing events across central Scotland last nigh.
“Words have consequences and we are seeing in real time the human cost of irresponsible language being deliberately used to whip up fear and hatred.”
He warned that “harmful narratives are being peddled as facts”, leading to “violence on our streets and people being targeted because of the colour of their skin”.
The charity chief stressed that people seeking refuge should not be blamed for wider societal pressures, pointing instead to deeper-rooted issues.
He added: “People seeking protection are not a problem needing to be solved – it is the systemic failures in housing, cost of living and the immigration system that need to be fixed."
Mr Zazai added that the disorder had left many feeling unsafe, particularly those from minority communities.
He said: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been made to feel unsafe or unwelcome. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
“The toxic rhetoric and use of falsehoods to scapegoat people seeking safety needs to stop,” he added.
Several other charities and organisations have released similarly condemned the disorder.
Taking to Instagram, Refuweegee said: "Now more than ever we need to loudly and proudly announce our safe spaces. Whilst small numbers of small-minded men march through our communities, we need to make sure those who they direct their hatred towards know where they can seek refuge and be met with kindness."
Meanwhile, Stand Up To Racism said: "Glasgow SUTR condemns the repugnant scenes emerging from a last minute gathering by fascists and far right thugs in Glasgow city centre this evening. Masked up racist thugs have assembled at Buchanan steps and marched down the street. The livestream by one of their supporters shows marchers stealing a bike from a delivery driver and beating up passers-by.
"Glaswegians of all backgrounds and and of all faiths and none will stand together against any attempts to spread violence and hatred in our communities. Time and again we have shown the far right a majority of us reject their poison.
"We will not allow fascists to march on our streets unopposed and we are already mobilising to oppose their planned protest in Glasgow on Saturday, July 25.
"We urge all antiracists and antifascists concerned by these scenes to get involved in SUTR and help prepare to resist racism and the far right in every community."
Stand Up To Racism is also calling on people to meet at the Buchanan Steps this Saturday at 1pm to "reclaim our streets for the anti-racist majority".
Three men, aged 31, 18 and 18, have been arrested and charged in connection with various offences after the disorder in Glasgow. Police said two officers were injured and three members of the public were injured for 'the colour of their skin'.
Officers also dealt with “disruptive but peaceful” demonstrations in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Perth, Ayr and Paisley, where no arrests were made.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “Our priority is public safety and last night we had a conventional police response to demonstrations across the country.
“We understand the concerns people have about their communities and will always balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to tackle crime without fear or favour.
“Officers responded to disorder and violence, including incidents in Glasgow where members of the public were attacked because of the colour of their skin. Officers were also attacked.
“I would strongly condemn that offending and send a clear message that there is no place for racism and violence in Scotland.
“Officers continue to be in local areas and we are engaged with communities to show support and listen to concerns.
“We have an appropriate policing plan in place, including strong links across UK policing to ensure we are prepared to deal with any escalation in disorder, and we will mobilise specialist resources if necessary.
“As part of this, our officers will support National Police Coordination Centre mutual aid arrangements for colleagues at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, following careful consideration to our resourcing requirements to ensure there is no impact to policing in Scotland.”
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