PROMINENT Glaswegians have thrown their weight behind anti-racism protestors in America.
Members of Scottish civic society and some of Glasgow's best-known institutions have backed Black Lives Matters protestors who are campaigning against police brutality and racism.
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Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow city council has endorsed three posts on George Floyd, the black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for around nine minutes, whose brutal death has rallied anti-racism activists in America and Britain.
The officer has now been dismissed and arrested and charged in connection with the death.
She retweeted a post from Glasgow University, which offered its support to protestors in a tweet, saying: "UofG is appalled at the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We stand together with the @gusrc and the entire UofG community in condemning all forms of racism and discrimination. We are committed to promoting equality across our community."
UofG is appalled at the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We stand together with the @gusrc and the entire UofG community in condemning all forms of racism and discrimination. We are committed to promoting equality across our community. #BlackLivesMatter #TeamUofG pic.twitter.com/lvWiIiLZUk
— University of Glasgow (@UofGlasgow) June 1, 2020
The First Minister and MSP for Glasgow Southside has also retweeted the university's statement, later weighing in herself.
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She wrote: "'If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem' - the words of the late, great Toni Morrison. Racism is an evil that none of our societies can claim to be immune from. But we must stand against & eradicate it. #BlackLivesMatter"
"If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem” - the words of the late, great Toni Morrison. Racism is an evil that none of our societies can claim to be immune from. But we must stand against & eradicate it. #BlackLivesMatter
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 1, 2020
Glasgow Museums, the body which manages all of Glasgow's public museums, tweeted its support for the anti-racism movement, which has seen large protests across the US and in Britian in recent days.
It said: "Our mission is to inspire people, all people, to lead richer lives through culture and learning. That is only possible by standing with those who are actively anti-racist and speaking out in solidarity with #blacklivesmatter"
Our mission is to inspire people, all people, to lead richer lives through culture and learning. That is only possible by standing with those who are actively anti-racist and speaking out in solidarity with #blacklivesmatter
— Glasgow Museums (@GlasgowMuseums) June 1, 2020
Anas Sarwar, a Labour MSP for Glasgow posted a video of activist and rapper Killer Mike speaking at a press conference in Atlanta where he urged black Americans to: “Plot. Plan. Strategise. Organise. Mobilise.”
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What an incredible speech. Please watch it 🙏🏾
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) May 30, 2020
There are a lot of people hurting right now and full of justified anger.
“Plot. Plan. Strategise. Organise. Mobilise.” https://t.co/kt4Id5J0p8
The University of Strathclyde is participating in a social media "black out", where individuals and organisations do not post on social media to represent a moment of silence for victims of police brutality.
Today, we are taking part in #BlackoutTuesday. In our protest against racism, we will be going silent across our #SocialMedia channels. #BLM ✋🏻✋🏼✋🏽✋🏾✋🏿 pic.twitter.com/v1OBmSvBIz
— University of Strathclyde (@UniStrathclyde) June 2, 2020
Group leader of the Glasgow Tories, Thomas Kerr endorsed a post from former chancellor Sajid Javid, who expressed anger at protestors in London chanting "f*** the police".
Very sad to see.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) May 31, 2020
This is the same police that keeps you and your family safe. The ones that run towards danger when you runaway.
Show some goddamn respect. https://t.co/7j3b3KUbWj
But he later reposted a picture of US presidential candidate Joe Biden meeting with black Christian leaders, captioned "Leaders listen".
Leaders listen. pic.twitter.com/FPSJP4Fkn3
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 1, 2020
One of Scotland's best-loved actors, Martin Compston also posted in solidarity with Black Lives Matters protestors.
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Compston posted a photo of his wife, a black woman, with the caption: "Lone Mountain, Las Vegas. Proud black woman, proud husband".
Lone Mountain, Las Vegas. Proud black woman, proud husband ✊🏾✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/oFljHDYKw3
— martin compston (@martin_compston) May 31, 2020
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