Protesters told the far-right that there was no place for hate on the streets of Paisley – after hundreds took to the streets to protest against a planned protest rally in the city.
There were fears that violent unrest like that seen in England and Northern Ireland last week could erupt after the now-deleted TikTok account Scottish Defence Group (SDG) called on people in Paisley to take part in a “peaceful protest against the placement of hundreds of illegal fighting-age men in our communities who pose a danger to our children” at 6.30pm on Friday evening.
But the number of those who responded to their call far exceeded the number of those who showed up at the Watermill Hotel to show their solidarity with the group’s victims at a counter-protest organized by Stand Up to Racism (SUTR).
A diverse crowd of around 200 people gathered in the parking lot from 5:30 p.m. to anticipate any SDG actions. Asylum seekers present in the hotel watched and left messages of thanks on the windows of the building.
The only sign of unrest came when around 7:30 p.m., around 18 young people aged between 13 and 15 showed up after most of the crowd had left. However, the group did not appear to be there in protest.
John Kelly of Paisley for Palestine told the Paisley Daily Express: “We have heard horror stories about Nazi thugs coming here to threaten the residents of the Watermill Hotel and we are here to protect the residents and staff of the hotel.
“People have been living here for years and there hasn’t been the slightest trouble or hassle. These gangsters think they can come onto our streets and threaten people because they think they are different.
“I was in church today and celebrated Saint Theresa of the Cross, who was murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz. You sit there and think: This is where the actions of these people will lead.
“We will not tolerate this in Paisley. We have a great crowd, from my mother’s friends to trade unionists, and we say no, we will not tolerate this, we say no to racism on these streets.”
Celie Byrne, daughter of Paisley playwright and artist John Byrne, took part in the counter-demonstration in support of the hotel residents.
She said: “I grew up here and when I was growing up there was never any negative language towards refugees, everyone was equal.
“A person is a person is a person and it doesn’t matter what color his skin is, what religion he belongs to, where he comes from, what his sexual orientation is or anything like that.
“Everyone is a human being and has the right to live a life of freedom and without fear, regardless of where he or she lives.”
Celie was delighted with the reaction of the townspeople, adding: “Some of the shopkeepers here were quite concerned after seeing what had happened in the south and I have never had such a feeling in Paisley.”
“But I’m really confident, people have really shown what Paisley is all about.”
Paisley Southeast Independent Councillor Eddie Devine was also present to offer his support.
He said: “We are here to support the refugees, it’s as simple as that. I couldn’t pass up the chance to show them that we are on their side. They are not coming here to take our jobs or anything like that, they are here to have a better life and they have a right to be here and I welcome them.”
“The participation was great.
“If the peace holds, this could turn into good news.”
Riots broke out across the UK following the murder of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside. Inaccurate social media posts blamed a Muslim asylum seeker for the killings.
Among the many incidents that attracted attention was the break-in at a hotel in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where asylum seekers were staying, by hooligans who started a fire there.
There were attacks on police officers and looting of shops. Hundreds of people were arrested.
Last week, Police Scotland’s deputy chief constable Gary Ritchie said any unrest would be dealt with “swiftly and forcefully”.
It is not the first time the far right has attempted to stir up trouble in Renfrewshire. Erskine was the scene of a year-long protest and counter-protesters against the presence of up to 174 asylum seekers at the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel in the town.
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