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25th November 2006

March against racism and fascism

About 500 people have joined a march and rally in Glasgow to speak out against racism and fascism.

The annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) St Andrew's Day march carried the message that there is no place in Scotland for racism.

The Glasgow Anti-Racist Alliance (GARA) supported the event, which ended with a celebration at the ABC venue on Sauchiehall Street.

The STUC said the march celebrated "diversity and shared humanity".

Racial abuse

It follows a number of high-profile racist incidents.

Earlier this month, youths hacked off a 15-year-old Sikh boy's hair in the Leith area of Edinburgh.

He was subjected to a tirade of racial abuse in Pilrig Park before being kicked and punched to the ground.

On 8 November, Asian gang members Imran Shahid, Zeeshan Shahid and Mohammed Faisal Mushtaq were jailed for life for the 2004 abduction and murder of white teenager Kriss Donald in Glasgow.

Mary Senior, assistant secretary of the STUC, said: "The march went really, really well and the sun shined for us, which always helps.

"I think it's so important to have a visible demonstration through the streets of Glasgow to show that we all stand together against racism.

"It was really vital that people turned out to show they abhor the things that have happened recently."

GARA director Jatin Haria said: "If we really want to change Scottish society for the better, then we all need to get involved and make a stand.

"Together we can build an anti-racist Scotland."

Source: BBC