MARCH VS FESTIVAL
THE Orange Order has called on TRNSMT to be axed if council chiefs enforce a long-term ban on Glasgow marches.
Grand Master of the Orange Lodge Jim McHarg spoke out after six processions set to take place this weekend were cancelled following recent ugly scenes in the city centre.
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Speaking from Glasgow Green, where hundreds gathered to protest the march ban, he said: "We’re being condemned because of Republican parades that happened for two weekends.
"But I don’t see the condemnation of TRNSMT for instance in this city where there was a lot more violence went on – drug dealing, a sex attack, and court cases.
"That doesn’t happen at Orange parades. Why’s that not being banned?
Glasgow Loyalist protesters say march ban ‘disgraceful’ as hundreds join Scottish Protestants Against Discrimination demo in George Square
"Why’s Nicola Sturgeon not coming out shouting and bawling about that?"
In total, 44 people were arrested over the course of TRNSMT festival this summer.
By comparison, marches in recent weeks have seen a cop allegedly injured by a flare, riot officers racing down streets to confront masked protesters and chants of "up the RA".
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The previous week, Govan was described as a war zone following full-scale riots.
Two schoolboys aged 14 and 15 are among 15 arrested in total across the two weekends.
The Orange Order chief's blast comes after Nicola Sturgeon backed Glasgow City Council's decision to axe this weekend's planned processions.
The First Minister agreed that the right to march is an "important part of our democracy".
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But she said: "Those who are abusing that right I think are putting it into jeopardy for others.
"It is also vital that the rights of the majority of law-abiding citizens are protected and given priority."
The banned parades on Saturday are Bridgeton Protestant Boys Flute Band, Pride of the North Flute Band, Republican Network for Unity as well as two from the Whiteinch Orange and Purple District No 7.
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Partick Orange and Purple District 15 had been planning to march on Sunday.
Mr McHarg told the Scottish Sun Online: "Nicola Sturgeon is our First Minister.
"She has a duty to look after all the citizens of this country, not just the nationalists as she seems to do or anybody supporting independence.
"A ban on parades is the wrong thing to do, it’s the wrong message to take away peoples' human rights.
"If that’s the way Nicola Sturgeon wants to deal with a future independent country then I would assume sensible people would certainly be voting against independence."
He added: "What happened the last two weekends is absolutely nothing to do with the Orange institution or any of the loyal orders.
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"We don’t cause scenes. We believe in working with the code of conduct as laid down by Glasgow City Council.
"We've always adhered to that.
"Fairness and equality is all we ever look for. We’re happy to give it, we should receive it."
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Following today's demonstrations in Glasgow, Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren said: “An appropriate policing operation was put in place in Glasgow today in order to manage any events and I am pleased to see that the demonstration in George Square passed without incident.
“There have been no arrests or further incidents reported to us at this time and there will continue to be a proportionate policing presence in the city.”
TRNSMT organisers have been approached for comment.
Moment protesters chant 'up the Ra' and 'IRA off our streets' as Republican march passes Loyalists in Glasgow
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