Republican march through Glasgow disrupted by far-right and loyalist protesters

A 50-strong group of loyalists, gathered by the far-right National Defence League, met parades of more than 200 from the West of Scotland Band Alliance as they marched through Glasgow. 

A very heavy police presence was visible in the city centre from early on Saturday morning, with cop vans, armoured vehicles, mounted police and other officers all in place from at least 10am. 

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Those standing with the NDL gathered on Cambridge Street as the parade made its way from the starting point at Shamrock Street and towards the city centre. 

On several occasions scuffles broke out along the route through the city centre and into the East End. 

After turning onto Renfrew Street the bands were targeted as cans of juice were thrown into the body of the parade, and protesters were chased towards Sauchiehall Street. 

Following this, police then sprinted towards the junction of Renfield Street and Sauchiehall Street where further protesters had gathered.

The parade was stopped for around 10 minutes as the route was cleared, with police blocking Sauchiehall Street in both directions and members of the public left unable to pass. 

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Members of the NDL and loyalist were also spotted wearing "No Surrender" t-shirts during the parade. 

Two short scuffles broke out between protesters and passers-by on Union Street, before another short fight involving one of the protesting group broke out on Argyle Street, a short distance from the parade. 

A group of Celtic fans who were attempting to leave the Jury's Inn hotel on Jamaica Street were also targeted with chants of 'paedo'. 

NDL and loyalist protesters on Cambridge Street

As the march progressed police increased separation between the two groups, with police vans lining the sides of the parade. 

However, as the event moved into the East End further violent scenes broke out at the Barras. 

Members from both groups rand towards each other before cops intervened, with only a small number being removed by police before the parade dispersed on Sydney Street. 

READ MORE: Concerns over those 'set on violence' ahead of Glasgow Bloody Sunday parade and protest

Police Scotland were approached for comment, with arrest numbers unknown at this time. 

The protest comes just a week after after a police chief warned of the increasing number of loyalist and republican events in Glasgow. 

Last year saw concerns raised on several occasions with Glasgow City Council over public safety after violent scenes at parades. 

The West of Scotland Band Alliance Bloody Sunday memorial through Glasgow

The West of Scotland Band Alliance's memorial is one of the first events of this kind in 2020, with concerns over escalating violence following trouble at a number of events last year. 

In August there was severe disruption as a republican parade in Govan was met with loyalist protesters as missiles were thrown and road blocks set on fire. 

A week later in September a police officer was injured after protests against two Republican marches led to trouble with one cop hurt by a firework and ten people arrested. 

READ MORE: Violence fears as Bloody Sunday memorial march in Glasgow to be met with loyalist protest

This was despite a huge police operation, which reportedly cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, with officers in riot gear chasing masked loyalists trying to stop the parades. 

As a result, a number of events across Glasgow were cancelled after the council put legal orders in place to prevent them taking place over fears of further violence.