Prohibition of Processions - meeting 11 September

Published: 11 September 2019

A meeting of the city's Public Processions Committee has ordered the prohibition of six marches that had been due to take place this weekend.

The council has always been clear that the law expects it to facilitate public processions; including those that some people oppose or find offensive.

However, the right to march has to be balanced against the rights of people and communities across Glasgow.

Today, committee has acted to protect the interests of those communities - taking into account the threat to public safety and the likelihood of widespread disruption and disorder.

Its decisions follow the recommendations made by the Chief Executive, having also considered expert evidence on behalf of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.

The city has already witnessed an unacceptable level of disruption and disorder associated with parades and counter-protests in recent weeks.

It is clear, both from the intelligence gathered by police and the tone of comments made by supporters and protestors, that tensions are high and the situation threatens to deteriorate further.

The council directly appeals to those who would have taken part in these marches, or who planned to mount protests against them, to comply with the orders made and not bring further disruption to city streets.

Background

Today's committee resolved to prohibit six marches notified for this weekend. They are:

Saturday

Bridgeton Protestant Boys Flute Band

Pride of the North Flute Band

Republican Network for Unity

Whiteinch Orange and Purple District No 7 (x2)

Sunday

Partick Orange and Purple District 15

This means that, by law, the organiser and any participants must not carry out their planned event. Failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence.

Papers for the committee, including the submissions by Police Scotland are online