16 March 2013
(Picture courtesy of TCN)
Surrounded by 200 police officers – around one for every marcher there – almost 20 riot vans, a line of police horses, a helicopter and 13 arrests, this was the scene at a peaceful support march in Glasgow city centre in 2013.
Stunned witnesses reported watching women and children being struck with police batons simply for standing in the wrong place. The march was organised by the Green Brigade, whose members claim they have been victims of police harassment and intimidation as a result of Scottish government legislation they say criminalises football fans.
Marchers began assembling outside the Chrystal Bell pub in the Gallowgate and several police vans were quickly on the scene. Men, women and children assembled, chanting “Celtic fans against the bill” as they set off to their destination at Celtic Park for the afternoon game against Aberdeen.
The procession marched up Watson Street and onto Bell Street, where it was then blocked by a line of police officers with support from a line of vans. There had been no visible signs of any violent conduct from any marcher, no disruption to public order, but marchers were told if they took a step further, they would be arrested.
One legal observer and advocate for civil rights – people who observe protest marches and assist anyone in need of legal representation – who wished to remain anonymous, told me: “I had heard there was going to be a protest in the city by another organisation but it didn’t happen, so I came over to have a look here instead.
“This was extreme,” she continued. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I have never seen batons used on kids before, and I witnessed the Piccadilly and London riots. I’ve seen violent demonstrations, this was not that, they weren’t even throwing anything, nothing.”
A police line attempts to stop the march minutes after it begins (Picture courtesy of TCN)
Scuffles between marchers and police happened throughout Bell Street as marchers tried to move forward. Police threw marchers back into the crowd – some clearly young boys – one disabled child in a wheelchair was almost knocked over by the police line.
“After the march started the police just cornered them and the vans kettled them. The marchers then tried to break through and the police got the batons out. I was elbowed into a car by the police as I tried to take photographs, they were just grabbing and pushing people.
“I managed to get the name of one 14-year-old boy as he was arrested and had his head down in a puddle. I think they were taking advantage because those marchers weren’t political protestors, they don’t know their rights.
“The police kettled them in under a bridge, it was just totally disproportionate. There was no public around that area to be disrupted and it was just outside of public view.”
Marchers broke through the attempted police blockade underneath the bridge at Bell Street (Picture courtesy of TCN)
As the marchers were surrounded by police, reports were filtering through the crowds of several arrests being made. Marchers were told if they attempted to leave they would be arrested. Around eight police vans sat at the Bell Street side of the kettled marchers, with at least another eight gathered on the Gallowgate and several police cars scattered around the area. Police officers on horses then arrived to provide another reminder to marchers that they should not attempt to move. The police helicopter had been circling in the sky from the moment marchers began gathering.
I asked several of the police officers surrounding myself and the other marchers – estimates said around 200 marchers attended, indicating for every one marcher there was a police officer – under what legislation the marchers were being held.
“They didn’t apply to march,” one told me. “They have to make an application to Glasgow City Council. We’re here to prevent disruption. We’re here for public order.”
When I asked what indication the police had been given that this might be anything other than a peaceful march, he shrugged. None of the officers I spoke to named any legislation or indicated what had happened to necessitate such a heavy police presence. “We were just told to come here,” another said, “I don’t know any more than that.”
There were several reports of police using batons on marchers (Picture courtesy of TCN)
While boxed in with the marchers, I witnessed no crowd violence. I saw a policeman pick one boy out and order him to remove his scarf from covering any of his face or he would be arrested. The boy did as he was told. As we waited to find out what the police planned to do with us, we could see marchers who had either tried to escape from the kettle or been in the surrounding area being arrested. I heard one report of a police officer being hit by a bottle but could not confirm it.
The police began allowing the marchers to leave in groups of two or three at certain intervals and from different parts of the group. As I described the scenes to a colleague on the phone, he asked me if I had my press card with me – as I responded and said the words “press card” out loud, the police immediately escorted me outside of the kettled group and told me I couldn’t stand around.
I had no choice but to watch from afar as the rest of the group was dispersed. In total, the marchers managed to make it just yards away from where they had begun assembling at 12.30pm. As I left to find somewhere to write up my notes, I spoke to two men near the Chrystal Bell pub, the marchers’ meeting point, who had also witnessed the police using batons on marchers.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde police said: “At around 1pm, police were called to reports of a large number of people gathering outside the Chrystal Bell pub at Gallowgate, Glasgow. The crowd, many of whom were wearing similar hooded tops and using scarfs to hide their identities, appeared to be attempting to stage an illegal street procession and officers were deployed to prevent this.
“The crowd were instructed that any procession on the road was illegal but that officers would facilitate a safe and orderly procession on the pavements toward their intended destination at Celtic Park. However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive. The situation was contained a short time later.
“In connection with the police operation at Gallowgate, Glasgow this afternoon, 13 people have been arrested so far in connection with alleged public order offences, and they are currently being processed. Police enquiries are continuing into the incident and officers will be studying CCTV and helicopter footage to gather further information.”
Angela Haggerty 
Never again will I question the complaints of the GB after seeing this, dispicable treatment on an orderly march. Strathclyde Police are a disgrace.
i witnessed this and the police were totally out of order no need for it whatsoever!
Why was rangers fans allowed to march on hampden last year with virtually no police presence and one of there x players allowed to stand on the steps of hampden and threaten individuals who dared speak out against them. They had there faces covered and were allowed to drink. I think it is time for celtic fc to come out and denounce what is happening to there fans. Just wait till this friday when Scotland play and see what they get away with. Ps nothing against the tartan army think they support there team good or bad BUT fairs fair.
Cannae believe the polis. We never cause any troubles. We should be able to do what ever we want.
Sorry I missed you today Angela but I’m sure you understand, shocking tactics by the Police.
Disgusted to see the way fan are being treated !! Supporting your team is not a crime !!
Why try and turn this into an us against them Buckie? This should be an issue were club allegiances are put to one side and fans join forces for the greater good.
Dan, buckie makes a valid point.
No he doesn’t Peter, The march by Rangers fans to Hampden was authorised by GCC and sanctioned by Police. The application process was followed and all stipulations were met. but don’t let the truth get in the way of a stupid rant.
ALL marches need to have permission from GCC prior to taking place, do the GB think they are above the law?
In a free and fair society people can gather together, peacefully protest and exercise their right to freedom of speech.
To do the same in a police state you have to apply for a licence.
Supporting laws that restrict civil liberties is to accept your status as a slave. Get off your knees.
i am writing a complaint to the police
Excellent piece of journalism Angela – not enough journalists are opening their eyes to this. I arrived after the main group of people had been kettled. As well as all the things you mention here, I spoke to a woman with a young boy (around 7) who had been held within the group who looked very distressed. I saw a young boy being pushed by a police officer as he was released. I haven’t seen anything like this for a very long time. I would be very much obliged if you would ask the legal observer who you mention in your piece if she would contact the Fans Against Criminalisation campaign fansagainstcriminalisation@gmail.com or the Celtic Trust at celtictrust@hotmail.com .
Jeanette,
An illegal march is an illegal march, people are breaking the law ! what is it about that that you do not understand ?
The legal observer I spoke to told me marches happen quite often without proper permission. The police usually guide the procession as normal. The march from the Green Brigade had around 200 people attend – far more people walked up the roads throughout the Gallowgate going to the Celtic game a short time later. It’s reasonable to question why police responded so heavily and with batons. It’s also reasonable to ask whether the cost to the taxpayer was justified. However, given the username you are using on this blog, I suspect your intention here is not to engage in productive discussion, but to play out a football rivalry. This issue is far too serious for that and I should hope you take that into consideration.
A day which should be a fan going to see his team turns into what you could only call disgraceful. A day when families can spend together not herded into a corner and beaten like wild animals.These Celtic are your bread and butter stand up for these faithful followers of your club. They deserve your support.Police should be made to pay for there actions suspend them bring assault charges against them they can’t do this and get away with it.
Not sure how I am placed I joined an ordrerly march after todays game with more than 200 others, we marched together using a single train to get to a single destination (Queen Street) and then made our way in a number of smaller marches to different destinations. Do I need a defence lawyer?
The green brigade are a bunch of pro-IRA singing youths who 95% of decent Celtic fans want nowhere near the club.
….”pro-IRA singing youths” oh well’ carry on right ahead with the battering and jailing then Robbie?
id say 95% of celtic fans will be supportive of the green brigade after todays complete waste of police resorces and tax payers money. i dont understand why you dislike a young group of vocal celtic fans who are anti rascist and non violent. would you prefer the alcohol filled banana throwing celtic yob(pro ira) of the 80s to the green brigade?
Agree with Gerry, there is a little bit of the Green Brigade in 95% of Celtic fans.
Have you carried out a poll Robbie to arrive at this 95% of Celtic fans who want nothing to do with the Green Brigade. How many Celtic fans did you ask, where did you carry out your poll? Or as I suspect, have you plucked this 95% figure out of your empty head to suit your ill informed point of view.
What an absolute nonsense of a statement . It only highlights your ignorance of the Group and the Celtic support.
Rubish I don’t agree with everything the GB do but respect the right to go to games without harassment.
Kids and women batoned by police? ? Nonsense……but don’t let the truth get in the way of perpetuating fallacies about the treatment of fans at police hands. When you act like a ned you’ll be treated like a ned. Struggling to see the cowering women and children in these pictures.
Stop using football as an excuse to indulge in neddery.
Define ‘neddy’? I would define it as drunken and violent, neither of which is applicable to the march today. I expect your definition is far simpler- poor, working class.
Now, define ‘proportionate response’.
Disgusting use of force from the police. I can only say that this reinforces the very issue the GB were protesting against. Celtic PLC will not condemn this. It has had their full backing the whole time. I am surprised that Angela is even writing this, considering the side that, she and her fellow rebel journalist have taken in supporting the bill.
My ‘fellow rebel journalist’ has been of the bill’s harshest critics.
Aye I’m sure he has. Been in Peter Liewell’s pocket for long enough now criticising anyone who doesn’t toe their line. Ye’d do well to listen to this. http://m.soundcloud.com/celticfansrights-1/call-into-celtic-dreams-show
brilliant article, angela, nothing 2 say about strathclydes daffodils, this is an issue which needs sorted jx .well done
Typical heavy handed policing of a peaceful protest, come July we will see where they are.Not paranoid, just truthful
Absolutely Disgraceful.
Celtic fans. Loved and lauded by police all over Europe, hated and harassed by the police in Scotland. Tell me, who has the agenda here?
Well said
Celtic fans must be the only ones in Europe who experience a REPRIEVE from foreign police forces when they leave Glasgow. Its a question that should be raised more often- why is it every time we go abroad by the time we return the newspapers are full of glowing reports from front page to back about the support, and yet here we’re told we’re violent drunken criminals that cannot be trusted to walk half a mile from a pub to a football stadium?
well said
Telsh
Example of ned dish behaviour please
Stop using blogs as an excuse to indulge in being an ibrahim hemdani
Salmond’s Scotland. A glimpse into the future if independence is gained.
the 14 yo was held in police custody till hlf six tonite and was given a date to appear at court hes my brother we spent hpurs sitting waitin on him when the police told us that we were to come collect him at 3 oclock thy have banned him from attending football matches rather pathetic if you ask me hes a young boy who was supporting the green brigade there was no need for the way the police dealt with the matter today!!!!
To protect and to serve,strathclydes finest fukin animals.seen it first hand.
Can anyone provide pictures of women and children being batoned?
No?
Thought not.
By all means submit a complaint against the police and if not satisfied contact the Police Complaints Commisioner for Scotland.
But do us a favour and stop hiding behind the name of CFC and either grow up or grow a pair.
This took me all of 2 seconds after a quick google-
How old would you say that boy is? The one being grabbed by the shirt and pushed up against a wall by two mounted police officers. Thirteen? Fourteen at a push? Is this acceptable conduct in your mind? I’m sorry to disappoint you that there don’t appear to be any pictures of the precise moment of impact of police truncheons hitting women and children.
You’re coming across as having a serious agenda against the Green Brigade, of which I am not a member by any means but after today I am indeed very much a supporter.
I have no agenda against anyone but I do have an issue with sensationalism and spin….
There’s a world of difference between a cop grabbing a kid ( I appreciate I am ignorant of the full circumstances ) and the allegations of police brutality contained in this article.
This is the Pandora’s box that has been opened after years of pointing out the other mobs behaviour……we’re all getting a jackboot kicking. We need to be smarter than this.
Illegal demos, embarrassing banners and songs that should stay in “social” clubs? Nah, I’ll pass.
I support my team. Not the Green Brigade.
Why not stop the bigots who walk against everything apart from being a white scottish Protestant typical strathclyde police nothing changes
To ‘unknown’, get your folks to contact Gildeas Solicitors 0845 051 0810 and get hold of Paul Kavanagh one of the Directors.
thanks 🙂 hes only a wee boy of fourteen n they think its acceptable ah put him face down in a puddle
i have never witnessed anything so brutal like this in my life at one point i feared for my safety “keeping people safe”- quote by strathclyde police. absolute joke!
ive noticed recently police allowing so called loyalists hold illegal “flag protests” in glasgow where illegal songs have been chanted and nazi salutes given in full view of police. is there a reason why such activity is tolerated whilst a group of football fans walking 1 mile to a game are treated like terrorists. also did juventus supporters apply to glasgow city council a few weeks back for a licence for their corteo to celtic park?? i doubt it but were given every assistance from the police as were rapid vienna,hamburg and other visiting fans over the years.
Because the cops are absolute shitebags who don’t want to mix it with 2-3k genuine football hooligans and trouble makers like you’d get with foreign supports like Juve or Hamburg. They’d much rather target the Green Brigade, where the average member is maybe ten years younger than foreign groups and they can go and kick their front door in at 6am a week later. Absolute shitebags, Everyone in Glasgow must have at least one story of a cop bottling it from a group and then acting billy big baws when his mates arrive in vans ten minutes later.
I think you’ll find that no permission is required for static protests. What are these illegal songs you mention?
Wasn’t there but after reading this its shocking that the police can get away with this. No one was out to cause any trouble. There was no need for all the police presence and those arrests that were made were caused by police in first place as it would have been peaceful if they hadnt done what they did. If the police are going to look at their CCTV footage and helicopter footage. Maybe they should supply this to the news to be shown if they don’t think they’ve done anything wrong but I bet they don’t.
How did they happen to have 200 police at a moments notice, not only GB that had plans then. Hopefully it was filmed and we see the outcome of this but not holding my breath, great article I hope someone takes notice
the problem is that the scottish government brought in a law concerning secterian singing at football matches, they then realised that they couldn’t arrest Celtic fans because the song we sing aren’t secterian so they changed the law to “songs of hatred” in order to include Celtic fans. This obviosly hasn’t worked and Strathclyde Police are looking for any way to arrest Celtic fans in order to make their numbers look good and to make it look like the law is working.
Angela, thank you for this valuable report.
I’m glad that you were one of the ones who were there (although that doesn’t mean that I’m glad that you were subjected to this barbaric police behaviour!)
Incidents like this too often go unreported.
Even so, there is nonsense coming in from every direction to try to muddy the waters. Some accuse the people who were caught up in this of being anti-social anarchists; others are trying to score political points by linking this particular outrage to the SNP’s indefensible Offensive Behaviour Act; yet others are saying that the police were merely enforcing a law (as if the police invariably respond in this manner to every minor infraction).
Here is the truth.
The Police are drunk with power and irresponsible in wielding it.
They are too ready to resort to cowardly attacks on innocent people, safe in the belief that they won’t be held to account for their viciousness.
They are extremely selective about whom they choose to target for “law enforcement”.
There was no comparable police activity when spontaneous “Fleg” protests took place nor when Bomber “Show Us The Deeds” Brown was stirring up passions outside Ibrox Park nor when thousands of Sevconians marched to Hampden to cheer Willie Pullar as he menacingly assured the assembled mob that dire retribution would be the lot of anyone who stood in their way.
There was no Offensive Behaviour Act in place nor was there even a Scottish Parliament in existence when the police mounted a cavalry charge in Janefield Street in 1985, causing mayhem, destruction and injuries to dozens of peaceable fans (including a very serious compound fracture of a fan’s leg). Unsurprisingly, a Police Inquiry into the conduct of the Police totally exonerated the… er… the Police.
We all know that the Police will not accept criticism of their unacceptable behaviour.
We know in advance that they will defend themselves – if they haven’t already – with a cover story about preventing an outbreak of lawlessness, that they were acting in the best interests of the general public, that they had intelligence sources who had warned them of the impending collapse of Western civilisation, that they had reason to believe that elements of the crowd were on their way to Buckingham Palace to assassinate the Queen, that they Police have a very difficult job to do, especially when they have to defend the public from the… er… public. It’s tripe and we should all now it by now.
The biggest danger to the public is an irresponsible Police force which has too many powers and not enough restraint.
But let’s play them at their own game.
Let’s take them at their word.
Let’s help them to maintain law and order and stamp out potential outbreaks of lawlessness.
Their selective enforcement of some laws in some circumstances (but not others) is their Achilles’ heel. We can push it to the lawful limit if they’re going to insist on justifying their atrocious behaviour in the Gallowgate by suggesting that they were merely carrying out their duty to uphold the law.
There are countless gatherings of people in the streets and in other public places which the Police (rightly) choose not to interfere with.
Let’s put a stop to that.
Let’s call the Police every time we see a hen party making its way from pub to pub without having asked the Justice Secretary for permission.
Let’s make formal complaints every time we see three or more people assembling outside Tesco, clearly intent upon making a peaceful protest against the prices at the Co-op by marching into another store. That calls for police action if the shoppers haven’t obtained a permit to allow them to march through the aisles.
Let’s report students who are making their way into the nation’s universities with the suspected intention of wanting to learn about Islamic history or Marxist politics or how to make chemical compounds that might potentially be used for weapons of mass destruction.
Let’s see the Police kettling the delegates and members of political parties who make their way to party conferences, or any other meetings, determined to overthrow the established order.
Let’s also call upon the Police to do their duty by arresting people in suits who queue up at a train station on their way to the banks where they work. Everyone knows that banks are defrauding the entire country and stealing millions of pounds from us every day so it’s entirely reasonable for us to call upon the Police to kettle these anti-social elements until the rest of us can get some semblance of a real economy working.
Let’s call the Police every time we see a car with its front foglights on when visibility is not reduced to less than one hundred yards.
Let’s report to the Police every suspected case of “drunk and incapable” whenever we see people stumbling as they emerge from a pub.
Let’s call the Police whenever we overhear somebody using foul and abusive language.
Let’s call the Police every time we become aware of a breach of the peace.
Any breach of the peace. Somebody talking too loudly in a park disturbs your peace?
Fetch the Rozzers. Two hundred of them, if possible.
After all, we’re paying for them. We might as well get our money’s worth.
Seriously, these people are out of control. They have no awareness of their station as public servants. They have convinced themselves that there the public’s masters. They’re not. We are their masters.
They used to understand that the tradition of this country is that we do not have policing by force but rather we tolerate policing only by consent. Perhaps many of the current generation haven’t so much forgotten that fundamental principle but have never known it in the first place.
Either way, the Police have convinced themselves that the public is their enemy.
They are squarely on the right track towards making that false belief come true.
They have made the wrong choice of enemy.
I live in Parkhead around corner from celtic park and every home game fans are harrased in streets by police but local drug dealers get to deal drugs right under the ctv cameras and outside schools and on st corners police should be spending our taxes getting rid of them instead of harrasing people because of the team we support.!!! Strathclyde Police are a joke in Glasgow
I live in Seattle. The team here ( the Seattle Sounders). The fans here congregate before home games and march down main street , led by a marching band, to the joy of everyone.I am disgusted at what went on here.it looks like these people were set up for this kind of response. Over here it is called police brutality.
You cannot just block the roads because 200 plus people decide to have an impromptu march to protest something. As Angela states in her artcile you need to get smarter and more politically savvy. You should have spoken in advance to the City Council/Police and got agreement to effectively close the roads. That is necessary for the safety of those marching but also for the safety of other road users (someone could have accidentally ploughed into you all with a car if some of the crossroads are not closed as you walk through them).
When I’ve gone to football games I I’ve walked in much larger crowds than that which have completely halted traffic. It happens every week at big football grounds. The legal adviser I spoke to had attended many marches which had not applied for formal permission and had never seen the police use it as justification for such a response.
Hi Angela, as have I. But this was a co-ordinated protest, which brings with it other issues for policing. Its down to communication. If you won’t have dialogue with people don’t be surprised if they misinterpret your intentions
This a massive escalation of something that has been going on for a long time. The Green Brigade are being seriously targetted, as are peaceful protesters.
I hope that Strathy polis get a rash of complaints about this. Its totally unacceptable.
The Police couldn’t handle football hooligans when we ran amok in the 80’s and 90’s. As some may be old enough to remember the heavy handling of supporters was common at most games up and down the country. But a few cameras, some utter garbage laws, the media waiting to vindicate decent fans by dragging their names through the papers, with the slogan sectarian attached….another nail in the coffin of freedom.
Totally shocked and disgusted! Celtic are known to have the best fans in the world! There was absolutely no need! There is no justice system in this country!
get the pictures, and videos, get the witnesses, get the proof needed and get the complaints into the police, this is totally unacceptable behaviour by strathclydes finest, nothing new though but it shouldn’t be allowed to continue
To the people asking for evidence of what went on, you obviously haven’t looked very hard yourself. There’s avideo I just seen on YouTube of 6 of them ‘restraining’ a 15 year old boy, who was walking away from the crowd, doing nothing wrong.
Disgusting! They need to get out & use tax-payers money to catch REAL criminals!
I seen that iam just saying get a good case together and something will have to be done, I wasn’t getting at anyone or saying it didn’t happen ,so get a grip mate, we should all be together in this no sitting wating to nitpick aw the comments,and for the record I am 100 percent for this
How would the police know if their response was disproportionate or not? If there is no dialogue with the police beforehand upwards of 10,000 protestors could have turned up.
There have been many marches in the past to games which the police have not been notified of. Have a look at this video from the cup final versus Aberdeen 2 years ago http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l-N-uIz-Bys. 10 times the amount of people who were in attendance yesterday and the police cooperated with this march. What’s the difference now? The GB are being treated like hooligans and with the amount of police in the gallowgate yesterday it looked like a training exercise for some sort of terrorist attack! Strathclyde police should hang their heads in shame!
I think this decision to be so heavy handed will come back to haunt them. Notify them of the next march to the ground, get all Celtic fans involved and have thousands attending, I look forward to it!
It wasn’t exactly a secret. Most if not all Celtic fans knew about it and a few zombies too.
Have to defend the Celtic fans of the 80’s who were slated earlier Yes they were Pro-Ira at a time when the British goverment they never voted for were murdering people in the Streets Apart from the Mark Walters incident which most Celtic fan complained about they forget the standing ovation they gave to Laurie Cunningham when he played for Real at Parkhead and in a blue jersey too The Celtic fans were more politically aware The support they gave the miners, Lech Walesa, etc proves my point . I know cause I was there !!!
I was appalled at the treatment of that young lad, who when he was roughly handled and brought down by 4 police officers. I was also astounded at the general story the police were giving to the press about some fans dressing the same and of them having scarfs hiding their faces. Sorry, but having watched a few videos I don’t see what the police said they saw. Of course a lot of young fans would wear tops or jackets the same, they are supporting the same club, that is not a crime ,or against any law. Wearing scarfs in winter is not against the law, neither is the wearing of a scarf over the face. Of all the marches held in Scotland official or otherwise when has anyone seen such a large number of police in attendance for such a small group of people. That would not have been the case if it was any other group of football fans, unfortunately it was the GB and that seems to be the red rag to the bull as far as the police are concerned. There seems to be an agenda by the powers that be to make life as uncomfortable as possible for members of the GB.
totally agree with what you said the polis escalated that yesterday. how they needed that amount of police to bring down one wee boy is beyond me think its about time the polis start dealin with real crime and no wee boys that just wana show there support
If any other person or peoples acted in the manner of most of the police at that march they would be looking at a heafty fine or imprisonment. Strathclyde Police = hooligans with uniforms.
Just watched some of the footage that’s on youtube of this event, and I suggest everyone else does the same. I’m sure there is cause for complaint in some of the behaviour of the police, but I’d like to point out that several of the people arrested deserved it, and the “15 year old boy” that had several members of Strathclyde police around him trying to get him under control, was actively resisting arrest, which is a crime.
I wonder how people would feel if they were actually to experience the lawless and unregulated society that they seem to crave so much. I sleep peacefully without the fear of serious gang violence, terrorism, or other major crimes, because we have a legal system and sufficient governance to prevent us all from descending into chaos ( see the middle east). It’s a shame that so many see the need to wish it all away.
Why do you think anyone criticising police brutality and victimisation automatically wants the country to be some kind of police-free anarchic warzone? Why do you think that its impossible to have a police force that doesn’t engage in bullying and intimidation? People don’t want NO police- they want PROPER police. Police that operate with the general public’s interests at heart, police that respond appropriately and proportionately, police who don’t sit on children’s backs with their mates slamming handcuffs on them and throwing them into a cell for charges to be determined later when they all get their heads together.
Glasgow has a serious problem with its police force. Here more than anywhere else I’ve ever lived the police seem to think they can do what they want, when they want, to whomever they want. People like you allow this to happen because you make excuses for them or ridicule anyone who dissents.
Days like today are the start of a very slippery slope. The police need to learn their behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the public, its not the time to let petty differences divide us. If there is one cast iron guarantee from this it is that if the police see they can get away with this against the green brigade, then they will try it again with someone else. Maybe next time it’ll be something to do with you or yours, and presumably then you’ll want someone else to stand in your corner with you.
Mark, I don’t thank the police for me being able to sleep right at night. I thank my alarm and my bf for that. I have needed the police on many occasions over a period and not once did they provide any help. There were never any charges brought and because of that i nearly lost my life so fuck the police.
I don’t however crave the “lawless and unregulated society” and we are a long way from the middle east. Talk about embellishment.
I also saw that video and I just have to wonder why they wanted to arrest a 14 year old boy. He was resisting arrest because his “arrest” was bullshit.
You obviously have some grand delusions about the police and their “solemn duty” – me, I just think you need to get your head out of your arse, You have obviously led a sheltered life without the “protection” of the police.
Regardless of the reasons for his arrest – legal or otherwise, it is still against the law to resist – people seem to be missing the point here. My comment was aimed at the fact that more than one officer was involved because to quickly get the lad under control it needed an extra pair of hands – I don’t know what alleged crime he committed, but that is IRRELEVANT. Resisting arrest is a crime, whether the arrest is justifiable or not.
As far as the rest of your comment goes – I have lived within the Strathclyde Police jurisdiction for my entire life, and other than being stopped once as a teenager walking to my girlfriends house at 3 in the morning, I have only had positive experiences with the police – always doing their jobs as well as they could. A particular event of note – my younger brother being assaulted. A few policemen/women of varying ranks were involved in the investigation and prosecution, and did a stand up job.
There is no debate to be had with someone who is so blatantly unwilling to acknowledge what they have seen with their own eyes….so I won’t have one. I’ll let you get back to your shift officer.
As I said, I’m sure there are members of the police who were less than unscrupulous in their behaviour yesterday, and at various other times, but that doesn’t mean that said “15 year old” was innocent, or that anyone else arrested on the day was either.
For the record, I am not a police officer, I’m a support worker for adults with learning disabilities
You can’t have it both ways. There is no “right amount of power”. The public as a whole complain when the police operate within legislation to do their jobs, and cry “police state”, but when they don’t have as much power, and serious offences go unpunished, the public want to know what’s going to be done about it.
Attitudes across the board need to change. It’s not just the police, it’s ordinary folk that need to care a little bit more about the way their society has developed, and act responsibly to change it.
Mark, I am happy to apologise for my earlier, slightly snide remark. However, it is clear that you have no idea about the level of abuse and intimidation Celtic fans have been subjected to over the past year. Until you inform yourself about the experiences of this particular group I would suggest you keep an open mind on it.
As, I’ve only been to three games at Parkhead this year, you’re right, I probably am unaware of exactly how bad the situations you speak of may have been. Can you honestly say though, that everyone involved was innocent of any wrongdoing?
I’d like to add, your apology there was in incredibly good taste, well in.
amazing that so many police officers horses cars and vans were able to get to the incident so quickly ! a bit of telepathy maybe ? The police were out for a fight,
From the various reports I have read it is obvious the Police certainly knew in advance that a protest march was taking place and where it was setting off from, this raises a couple of questions 1) If permission had been applied for to Glasgow City Council would it have been granted? 2) If permission had been granted, how many Police officers would have been deployed? Video evidence can be used in many formats and the arguement from either the Police or the protesting fans & those caught up in this mess will be similar, that we cannot see what happens just prior to the available footage, no doubt footage can and probably will be edited to suit each party involved. I have been reading about the Police’s heavy handed treatment of the GB as well as other groups such as The Vanguard Bears & The Blue Order. The new laws were introduced to Scotland to help reduce problems associated with football fans, I fully understand the need however I don’t feel the Police & the courts have utalised this correctly. Football banning orders will be handed out to some of the 13 fans arrested yesterday, maybe even some who the Police have yet to arrest!
I am delighted to know the facts Angela, someone I trust and respect was a witness to this particular mess.
We all need to keep an open mind on such matters though.
I hope that the GB apply for permits in the future, let’s see how many of Strathclyde’s finest are deployed! Angela maybe you could look at previous protests in Glasgow with and without GCC’s permission to compare the number of deployed. Was the number of Police deployed on this ocassion comparable to any previous event legal or illegal?
Great article Angela, great account first hand, no doubt more accurate than what is being reported in the Scottish media.
Any proof yet re reports yesterday that 2 of the 13 arrested were carrying knives and that 1 person was arrested for assaulting a Police Officer?
I haven’t seen any official source mentioning knives, I’m not sure where that’s coming from. The police statement said only that people had been arrested for alleged public order offences.
The knives rumour seem to have been started by the Rangers blogger Chris Graham. Absolute garbage obviously, if any knives had been recovered then it would have been mentioned by now without a doubt by the police in order to justify their actions. And assault on a police officer, probably the most easily trumped up charge there is. And even if he did assault the cop, it was probably something to do with the fact that he had spent the last 2 hours being prodded and goaded and treated like an animal by the police.
I was in the vicinity , & it was a rabble that I seen – you can’t get away with chanting anti police & British song , in our cities ?! Are you being deliberately controversial ???
I didn’t hear any anti-police or anti-British slogans. However, with freedom of speech in a democracy, people are free to express such opinions however they wish. It would be a frightening day indeed if you couldn’t voice opinions about the state and its services.
I’m not so sure about that Angela. In the United States they take their freedom of speech even more seriously than the British do, and because of this, individuals can behave completely reprehensibly with no repercussions. In particular I would note the Westboro Baptist Church, a vile group of people who regularly disrupt funeral services with their “free speech”.
I dread the day this sort of barbarism makes its way here.
I dread the day when the state only permits views it agrees with or deeems suitable for little old me to be exposed to! Speech shouldn’t be banned because your perception of it is barbaric, that’s a step towards fascism. With freedom of speech and democracy comes a price, that price is that you will occasionally be offended. You’re a big boy, I’m sure you’ll cope.
Have not heard of any ant-British / anti-Police chanting whatsoever from yesterday, can you provide evidence of this Mark. Big difference between what the Celtic fans were protesting about and that so-called Church. Freedom of speech comes with responsibility, use it wisely and people will listen if you cannot then people will turn against you.
Colin, I’m not sure your comment was addressed correctly – I don’t recall mentioning anti-British/anti police chanting.
Mark
I was there, I spoke to other eye witnesses, I studied the footage. I can see no wrongdoing of any kind. That however is not the point. Policing is supposed to be by consent and proportionate. When it is not then the police have to be called to account.
With rights come responsibilities Angela, and if people want to exercise their rights to free speech, they should do so responsibly.
What has happened to the city I was born in ,these new laws were brought in shortly after Celtic knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup with Rangers having three players sent off and their manager mouthing off to Lennon on the touchline then the S.N.P decided to do something and brought in these laws althought they were told in advance that they would not work but hey there are elections to win God help Scotland if it gets independence .
Point 1. Rangers fans march to Hampden was organised and approved by GCC and the Police.
Point 2 This ramble was not sanctioned, no approval was sought and none given, this comes under illegal gatherings. You already know this, jesus even some of the people who organised it wrote about it on Friday night. Again you know this.
Point 3 Legal observer – Did you use the same legal observer as the one in Ulster who attends Orange parades in the hope of being attacked by the big bad proddies. You know the one, the member of the IRA who was released under the good friday agreement.
Point 4 You had this coming, you tried to take away the freedom of speech for Protestants for the last 20 odd years but expect free reign when it comes to a group of people who rejoice and condone a group of people who killed woman and children for over 40 years.
From 27 April 2012, Rangers fans plan unofficial march to Hampden in protest at SFA sanctions http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-fans-plan-unofficial-march-1120239
Do what you do best and contact GCC or do a FOI request and see if a application was put in?
Great report Angela and good to have it publicized. Your response to a non reproductive participant in these comments regarding illegality can be expected from their irrational illogical, mindsets They said bloody Sunday in Derry was illegal to justify their actions. This is all too familiar to here in the 6 Counties but there’s a pattern forming process at work here. Iv written on this before many times and have been accused of being a bigot, etc. Since they started banning songs,chants etc, even though the Courts allowed them, was an example of a direct subtle but serious discriminate decision. Their illegal decision, did not get the opposition it merited as too many Celtic fans were unconsciously in agreement . The Political songs and chants were nothing to do with football etc etc etc. They are nothing to do with football, which is correct, but Celtic represents more than football. We have what they haven’t and that’s why Celtic are world renowned.Celtic had a unique formation as it was to feed the Catholic /Irish poor and save their Celtic racial culture ,historical roots and faith from being destroyed.They have spent 800 yrs trying ,but, all our ancestors up to recent times were resilient in resisting their aggressive oppression. When TBOTOB were honored by the Queen in Dublin, Celtics response speaks volumes. Are the Masons in their on the Board.?. Political chants and songs are part of our Culture , history right back to pre christian times. These songs etc “kept our spirits free” to retrain our identity as a Celtic Gaelic Race. I personally ,like many my age don’t sing them as such for ,we know them and their meaning. Brainwashing young Celtic fans etc into rejecting these songs are part of the big picture in destroying our identity. The Green Brigade are an honor ,credit and asset to all. They are the young retaining our identity by non bigoted , means. But the real bigots are in power and are above legal restraint, as Celtics Board etc have ensured by banning songs/chants. Celtics history is interwoven with, Celtic/Irish, cultural,political ,traditions as this is one of the main reasons Br Walfrid founded our club.
GLORY GLORY TO THE GREEN BRIGADE as their ” songs will keep their spirits free “
“I was there, I spoke to other eye witnesses, I studied the footage. I can see no wrongdoing of any kind.”……………So you studied the conduct of EVERY person there……??
Did you?
No,I didn’t…but then again I never professed to doing so in the first place.
What’s your point ???
Mark G, I dont know what planet you live on, but this type of behaviour by not only Strathclyde police, but the national police force is endemic. Over the past few years, peaceful protests have been turned into running battles by those supposed to be maintaining law and order. Students have been criminalised, poltical activists targeted and random assaults carried out on the public who pay their salaries. It would appear the only march not targeted is the ‘Shame of Scotland’ July marches. It would be interesting to see them kettling those. Whatever your viewpoint, condoning the type of behaviour displayed by these public servants which would have you or me arrested, shows a complete lack of awareness of Britain 2013. Questions should be asked of the Celtic Board about what they plan to do about the targeting of their fans.
What a load of pish.
Thanks for your well thought out and considered response John.
Does anyone with half a brain think a group of men and young boys that some have been arrested at 5 in the morning or returning home from a holiday and jailed after steppin off the plane would be granted an application to protest against the people they need to accept the application? Just a pathetic excuse to cover there backs.
If you dont want to adhere to the laws of the land you live in then P&O awaits.
Does that apply here also Joe? http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-fans-plan-unofficial-march-1120239
I think in this instance Angela,the link for the “unofficial march” you have posted,DID NOT go ahead……….therefore no laws were broken.In actual fact,the law was adhered to.
The march did go ahead http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/thousands-of-rangers-fans-in-hampden-protest-march.17440341
So wait your response is someone else didn’t follow the law so why should we have to? Even if your thinking is ‘Why didn’t the police kettle another illegal march’, they are both still illegal marches. Honestly i’ve had a read of both of the articles on here, had a look at some of the videos and saw the police response below, and honestly, hate me all you want for thinking this, I think the police handled the situation reasonably. The kettling is the only thing i can see people finding issue with. The video of the 15 year old boy being arrested is in no way police brutality, the police are trying to get people to move, try to split up the crowd and he’s dragging his feet blatently taking his sweet time on purpose, so two officers detain him. Of course he’s clearly not even remotely co-operating so more officers come over to safetly overpower him, not one officer hit the boy. Meanwhile there is a torrent of abuse in the background directed at the police who’s priority is public safety. Yes there’s something to be said about how necessary is was to be kettling the protesters but you start losing credibility with sensationalism about police battoning women and children and disabled children nearly being knocked over. I can see your point with regards to kettling tactics and the good intentions behind the march but for me it gets lost amongst statements with questionable believability. A final point about this legal observer, she was talking about the 14 year old being arrested who “Didn’t know his rights”, what I would be asking is firstly, why he was there to begin with and secondly, did anyone tell him that this was an illegal march and there would be a chance he could be detained by police. This is my personl opinion but some of the children are far to young to be there. Good article though, it was well presented and interesting to read.
The march you mention was the official protest march sanctioned by GCC &Police.
There was to be a follow up march without permission.This WAS cancelled.
Get your facts right and stop stirring things up.
Read the articles and check the dates – http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-fans-plan-unofficial-march-1120239 http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/thousands-of-rangers-fans-in-hampden-protest-march.17440341
A totally disproportionate response by the police to this. What was wrong with just letting them make their way to the ground ? It would have been no different to any other games when large crowds have attended. What happens to traffic around Parkhead or Ibrox any day there is a game, and a large crowd attends ? Traffic comes to a standstill until the crowds disperse. The police need to have a long look at themselves for their conduct in this, and it looked to me that they had come for a fight. The young lad in the video link who was arrested, should , if he has not already done so, go straight to his lawyer and get the police sorted out for brutality. I see a poster (Mark G) earlier saying it is illegal to resist arrest. Do you not think the boy has a right to resist being arrested, especially when it’s for nothing ? Perhaps, Mark, you could explain what he was arrested for ?
Why are the police allowed to draw batons and strike innocent people, just because they do not do what the police tell them ? That is assault in my book. The police have acted disgracefully. I wonder what their response will be come the marching season, when we have thousands of drunk bigots marching through our streets causing all sorts of disruption and public disorder ? And please spare me the legal march guff. Everyone knows it’s a bigot fest. Try and cross the road when an orange band is marching on it, and see what the police response is then ?
As I mention above, it doesn’t matter what he is being arrested for, it is against the law to resist arrest, and therefore, no the boy doesn’t have a right to resist.
If there is doubt in his mind about the legality of this action, then he can get in touch with some lawyers, and make sure he gets the service numbers of the officers involved.
Well hope i hope when the walking season starts everyone who is against this bill phones the police and before anyone gets on there high horse i know it’s official but the hanger ons that clog up the pavements and shout there bile while drinking there alcohol are not. Lets inundated the police with calls or ask the police who are on patrol why they are doing nothing about them. Take there numbers and report them if they do nothing.
Buckie1967,
You do not need a permit to walk on the pavement, The GB were offered this option on Saturday and refused. Drink alcohol on the streets of Scotland is illegal and people who do this can expect to be arrested, unless they are part of The Tartan Army
The filth had the cheek to film it, just sums up the in built prejudice this country produces. Even if the march was illegal, why were the cops so heavy handed? how many weapons did they confiscate? Time for CFC hierarchy to ask questions about the tactics deployed by the cops against Celtic supporters going to Celtic Park on a peaceful protest .
I remember a few year ago when a march was starting in my home town and I tried to cross the road to go to an elderly Diabetic client during my Care in the Community work. I was nearly lynched. The result was that after explaining why I could not be held back from this old lady and some dialogue between the Marshall and the police they reluctantly let me cross but not till after I asked for details of the police, names and badge numbers and also details of the Marshall for my official report to my employers if anything happened to my client. The world revolves around these stupid marches during the marching season and I have always found that most members of the public who walk beside these marchers to be obnoxious, drunken, chest beating ‘we arra people’ type bullies. Sorry, not on my watch. Another time when the residents of my street petitioned the local council about having to move all our vehicles form our street to make way for the Bands buses to park there. Damned sure they weren’t and the abuse from the marchers both verbal and threats of violence was astounding. Yet the police use intimidation and bullying tactics on a small group of fans marching on a peaceful protest towards their teams ground. It was peaceful till the rozzers turned up.
I think it shows the state of this country when you need to beg permission to have a protest. I mean try telling the French that – they’d laugh so hard at us they’d shit out their insides. What happened to Freedom of Speech? If we don’t have that anymore then we’ve got more to worry about than the police..
Legit question and whilst it whiffs of whaboutery, it is in fact more a criticism of the GB if they didn’t apply for such permission – did OldGers fans get a permit to march on Hampden back in April 2012? Did the GB apply for one for the weekend and have it rejected, or did they not apply in case it was… I don’t know, but would be interested in knowing…
“Thousands of Rangers fans have marched on Hampden in Glasgow to highlight concerns about the future of the club….
…Strathclyde Police chief superintendent Andy Bates said: “There were no arrests and I’m delighted at the way that the supporters conducted themselves.”
Earlier, the police had appealed to supporters to “protest peacefully”, despite the fact that passions were running high among fans.”
Sorry Angela – you already answered part of my question. No question in my mind that the GB were therefore treated differently. Plus ca change.
The Ranger fans had permission to march and had the required amount of stewards in the correct attire, Thte GB did not and therefore were stopped by the police. They then tried to charge the Police and arrests were made.
The Kettling incident was Police detaining people who attempted to stage an illegal march
This piece says Rangers fans didn’t have permission http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-fans-plan-unofficial-march-1120239 The march went ahead with no problems http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/thousands-of-rangers-fans-in-hampden-protest-march.17440341
Angela,
The march had permission, It was stewarded and there were several meetings prior to the event with Police and GCC.
Do you now believe everything you read in the Scottish Media
Another piece which might interest you https://angelahaggerty.com/police-were-commendable-at-banned-demonstration-by-uaf-with-no-arrests-an-hour-before-policing-chaotic-green-brigade-march/
The harassing of the Green Brigade has reached new levels, this being the pinnacle of an active campaign against them. I spoke to a member who was arrested at the airport after coming back from his holidays in front of his family and treated as if he was a known terrorist and his crime was……….holding up a ‘JUSTICE FOR ZOMBIES’ flag at Parkhead. There are various other examples of incidents like this all you have to do is speak to the fans and not just members of the GB.
For those who are interested
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/11/5336/40
This page contains information from the Scottish government on “resisting arrest”.
Relevant section,
“B4 The police record very detailed information on statutory offences but this does not always correspond exactly to the categories used by Scottish Government. The most important example of this, in numerical terms, is an offence under section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, which relates to “any person who assaults, resists, obstructs, molests or hinders a constable”.”
Keep up the good work Angela. While the Zombies are trying to justify themselves it keeps them off the streets.
Who are these zombies that a few folk have mentioned ???
The blinkered fools who are trying to justify the actions of a bunch of thugs in uniform, these same thugs who were happy to allow the unauthorised SDL demonstration to go ahead earlier in the day in defiance of the Strathclyde Police Chief Constable’s instuction. Those zombies. Does that help?
Strathclyde Police has contested some of the reports of the incident.
A spokeswoman said: “Any accusations regarding the police response to the illegal procession on Saturday 16th March in the Gallowgate are completely inaccurate.
“Having reviewed the footage senior officers are entirely satisfied that the officers on the ground dealt with the situation in a professional and proportionate way. Indeed, officers showed great restraint given the level of aggression and abuse they received.
“We are disappointed that a number of high profile individuals have chosen to criticise our actions in the media before approaching us to discuss the police response.
“We would be happy to make this footage public were it not for the fact that 13 arrests have already been made and its release would potentially be subjudice
Observe how Glasgow Defence Campaign handled harassment of Dominic O’Hara.
Hail hail
There are a number of things that those who are bending over backwards to defend the police action on Saturday are missing and I am addressing this to LW’s comments as a good example of what appears to be a reasonable argument but which is fundamentally misleading. If there was to be an unlawful march, well publicised in advance, then lets think about how the police have handled similar situations in the past: on 29th October 2011, there as a FAC rally in George Square. The police asked us to come in and speak to them – we didn’t approach them first. They asked if there would be a march and we said nothing was planned but you would have large numbers of people leaving George Square and heading to CP so it would be observationally equivalent. In the end the people did march on the road and the police simply guided it to Celtic Park – no arrests, no disorder, no batons. They chose not to do take the same approach on this occasion. Why?
There has not been one single independent report that any disorder actually took place prior to the police arriving in the numbers that they indisputably did. No local resident, shopper, businessperson or any citizen who had any reason to be in the area that morning has come forward and suggested that any disorderly or violent or intimidating act had taken place. Why is that?
We have not heard of any police officer being injured (and I am sure that we would have it if had happened) but we do know of young Celtic fans being injured by the police: we have direct evidence of a 15 year old girl being punched. She has attended hospital and a complaint is being made; I saw some minor unprovoked assaults on people by police as they released people from the kettle.
The other point you make is that the boy was resisting arrest and therefore the police response was reasonable. Your interpretation of that video, if it is the same one, is incredible. This is a young person who has been caught up in what was a very shocking and frightening event. He is clearly trying to walk away. He is grabbed and held by two officers initially – at what point is he actually resisting arrest? He is not kicking out, he is not struggling, he is not moving at all actually. He is not approached and spoken to and then arrested and led away; he is instantly grabbed and pinned up against the car. This is not normal and trying to suggest that this is the way the police usually go about their business is simply untenable.
I personally witnessed a woman with a young boy of around 7 or 8 being released from the ‘kettle’ around 1.45 and I can assure you that she was chalk white and the wean looked traumatised. This is not an exaggeration, this is simply what I saw.
The group inside the kettle were not chanting, not shouting, not giving abuse, not struggling; they were completely silent. Are we really being asked to believe that this completely compliant group were only 10 minutes previously, such a threat to society that 200+ officers, dogs and horses were required to quell them?
The key to all of this is your assertion about the motivation of the police ‘who’s priority is public safety’. While I am clear that for most police officers, most days of the week, that is their priority (I have seen that with my own eyes also); I am equally clear that the events of Saturday were not about public safety but was the culmination and acceleration of a highly politicised campaign led by very high-ranking police officers to crush what they see as dissent from a section of the Celtic support whose politics and attitudes they don’t like and I am not referring solely to the GB here. The OBFATC was not used on Saturday, but I have no doubt that the police will use what happened as evidence that it should not be repealed.
I’m a rangers fan n I have to say if it had happened 3 or 4 month ago I would’ve said u’s were talking nonsense but after seein strathclydes finest in action at IBROX a couple of month ago it seems that the police have a serious bee in their bonnet about fans wishing to support their club in supporters groups. The same happened at IBROX wn police were seen skelping everybody in their vicinity with batons n using unnecessary brute force. There was no condemnation for this either they are a law onto themselves. Just wanted to point out it happened to rangers fans as well. I agree with the fact that supporting your club is not a crime and on this occasion rangers AND celtic fans groups are not being treated as they should by strathclydes finest
You’re talking garbage !!
Where you there then when this happened Angela ???
This approach was tried at the introduction of the bill, when the fans of all clubs were asked to varies meetings throughout Glasgow in an attempt to co-ordinate some sort of stance against it. Rangers fans turned up and systematically caused disorder throughout the meeting they were eventually asked to leave and never returned to any other. At this same meeting their were fans from Motherwell….Hibs….Dundee Unt no other fans attended.
If Peter lawell was not out to get the green brigade then why at the start of this season he was going to fence of section 111 . Then as everyone was heading to their seats they would have been issued with a new season book for elswere in the stadium to split up the green brigade . The man is a disgrace and he is letting strathclydes finest away with atrocities against ordinary hard working fans who pay his wages .