Anti-racism protesters gather across Scotland

Hundreds of protesters also gathered in George Square in Glasgow.

BBC protest in Glasgow — Hundreds of protesters also gathered in George Square in Glasgow.

Anti-racism protesters are gathering across Scotland, with demonstrations planned in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Dumfries.

The move comes in response to violence in England and Northern Ireland, fuelled by far-right and anti-immigration sentiment.

The unrest has erupted after three girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class in Merseyside, northern England. According to false reports circulating online, an asylum seeker was responsible for the girls’ murders.

Police said there was “no intelligence” to suggest similar riots could occur in Scotland.

A group gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday morning

protesters — A group gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Saturday morning

Glasgow’s George Square was the scene of a protest

Glasgow’s George Square was the scene of a protest

On Saturday morning, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Many of the protesters were accompanied by their children and dogs.

Slogans read: “Refugees are welcome here.”

Hundreds of protesters also gathered in Glasgow’s George Square, where there was a heavy police presence but no signs of unrest.

In Dumfries, several speakers addressed the crowd

Demonstration in Dumfries — In Dumfries, several speakers addressed the crowd

At the Dumfries Planestanes, around 200 people turned up, some with placards bearing messages of unity.

It read: “We are one people.”

They listened to a series of speeches, with one telling the crowd: “That’s not who we are in Dumfries.”

A demonstration is also planned this afternoon in City Square in Dundee.

Around 150 people took part in an anti-racism protest in Paisley on Friday evening.

On Friday evening, around 150 people took part in a ‘Stand Up to Racism’ protest in Paisley and around 100 people gathered at a similar event in Bathgate, West Lothian.

The events were organized in response to rumors on social media that anti-immigration protests were planned in the cities.

There was no sign of far-right protest, however.

Prime Minister John Swinney has met with Imam Habib Rauf and members of the Muslim community to provide reassurance following incidents of disorder in other parts of the UK.

First Minister John Swinney met Imam Habib Rauf and members of the Muslim community at Edinburgh Central Mosque to provide reassurance following incidents of disorder in other parts of the UK. — Prime Minister John Swinney has met with Imam Habib Rauf and members of the Muslim community to provide reassurance following incidents of disorder in other parts of the UK.

First Minister John Swinney said on Friday that “adequate preparations” were in place to deal with any possible outbreak and that Police Scotland had the resources to deal with any potential unrest.

The force should send 120 officers to Northern Ireland next week to support the police service on site, which had to deal with a number of incidents of disorder.

Mr Swinney also wrote to social media companies Meta, TikTok and X calling for “immediate” action to tackle misinformation and hateful content that has fuelled scenes of violence in parts of the UK.