Anger as racist graffiti from 'far-right group' in Glasgow park

Anti-Muslim graffiti was spotted in a BBQ and picnic area of Pollok Park playing fields and appeared to be from supporters of the Scottish Defence League (SDL).

The racist phrases scrawled along the benches included “Muslims f**k off”, that the BBQ area is for people “born in Scotlan[d]”, and that “Muslims are not welcome” along with several SDL acronyms.

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Scottish Greens Councillor Anthony Carroll condemned the graffiti and said that weekend's counter-protest demonstrates that racism has no place in Scottish communities.

He said: “As we saw on George Square on Saturday, it's clear those spreading hate and racism are outnumbered in this city by anti-fascists.

“Yet they still try to defile our public spaces with racist graffiti. These actions, and the people who wrote it, have no place in our communities as all they cause is division and destruction.

“I hope to see this removed promptly.”

Some of the racist graffiti on the park benches (Image: Supplied)

The dog walker who found the graffiti, who asked not to be named, said it was a horrible discovery as a large group of Scots-Asians, including kids, were playing sports right next to it.

“I was quite disgusted to see this to be honest with you,” they said.

“I'd seen news of far-right protests planned for Scotland in recent days, but nothing had seemed to come of any of it. So, to see some cowards too scared to say their views in public instead scrawl these vile words where young children can read them is just horrible.

“The graffiti is on the picnic benches on the playing fields next to the Burrell Collection. I often walk by there and, especially on weekends, there are regularly families from all different backgrounds using the space.

“When I saw this graffiti [on Saturday afternoon] there was a large group of Scots-Asians – including kids – playing cricket right nearby. Honestly, knowing the space and how it's used makes me think these racist words were specifically targeted at those people.

“Hopefully the council cleans it up quickly, and Muslim members of our community know that the disgusting cowards who wrote that graffiti in no way represent the vast majority of the good people of Glasgow.”

More racist graffiti on another bench (Image: Supplied)

The SDL is an offshoot of the violent far-right group the English Defence League, which was founded by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (who prefers to be known as Tommy Robinson) and opposes Islam and refugees in Scotland.

The group have previously claimed they are not racist, but critics have historically argued that the group acts as a front for neo-Nazis, religious bigots and football hooligans' intent on causing violence and sectarian divisions.

Zamard Zahid, an anti-racist campaigner and activist for Stand Up to Racism Scotland, said she often visits the park with her family and that the local community won't be divided by hateful acts. 

She said: “This is clearly islamophobic far-right graffiti that has been put there to intimidate and create fear in diverse local communities with many Muslims and people of colour.

“Keir Starmer refused to use the word 'islamophobia' in his recent statement condemning the rar-right violence in England. This graffiti directed specifically at the Muslim community must be called out for what it is.

“The local communities to Pollok Park have a rich history of fighting back against division and hate. We continue to remain vigilant but this kind of hate filled graffiti will not stop us from using our local spaces. These are our streets.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said the local authority is committed to removing any offensive graffiti within two days.

They said: “Offensive graffiti can cause upset and alarm and help to undermine community cohesion.

“We always aim to remove offensive graffiti within two days of it being reported.”