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BNP intimidation in Glasgow

01 March 1992

The twentieth anniversary of "Bloody Sunday", the day soldiers of the British Army Parachute regiment shot dead fourteen unarmed civilians at a protest against internment without trial in Derry, Northern Ireland, was marked by a march and rally through Glasgow city centre on 18 January. It was the first occasion since 1983 that a "pro-Irish" march was allowed through the city centre. About 700 people took part, including five Republican flute bands.

It was opposed by Loyalist organisations such as the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Orange Order, as well as the neo-nazi British National Party (BNP). Following attempts to disrupt the march 23 supporters of the BNP were arrested. After the march a campaign of intimidation was launched by the BNP against one of the organisers of the march and a local radical bookshop.

The organiser, who had her name published in a Scottish newspaper, received threatening phone calls, and was forced to leave her house and go into hiding. Earlier the BNP had targeted a couple with a similar name, mistaking them for the organiser.

Three days after the march Clyde Books was attacked. In a press release they say three neo-fascist thugs ransacked the shop and trying to cause as much damage to stock shelving and postcard racks before running away. Clyde Books have launched an appeal for funds to improve the security of the shop; they can be contacted on 041 552 4699.

CARF 7 March/April 1992; Socialist 13.2.92