1 hour ago
3
Police respond to a protest in the Cranhill area of Glasgow last week
Reform UK's Scottish deputy leader has warned protesters to "be very careful" about online disinformation following a series of incidents in Glasgow.
Glasgow MSP, Thomas Kerr, told the BBC it was wrong to target individual people and urged communities not to protest at "someone's door".
Police attended disturbances this week in Cranhill and Castlemilk outside properties where social media posts claimed people accused of crimes were living.
Further protests were held in the city's Springburn area on Friday and Possilpark on Saturday - where a 23-year-old man was arrested for a "disorder offence".
The Possilpark incident was sparked by what Glasgow City Council and police called "entirely factually incorrect" online speculation that a care home was to be extended to house asylum seekers.
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Kerr urged protestors to demonstrate peacefully and not target individuals
Speaking on The Sunday Show on BBC Radio Scotland, Kerr said: "There's two points here – firstly, turning up at someone's door is wrong.
"Do not do that, do not target people.
"But the second thing that we're seeing in working class communities, particularly across Glasgow, is an anger towards a political establishment that has used communities as dumping grounds for people who've come here illegally,
"That's how people feel, that's how the anger exists."
Kerr urged people to protest peacefully, saying: "People have to be very careful what they listen to and why is it they're going to protest."
"Your voice is your power, so go out and use your voice, but do not turn to fists."
Police have attended a series of community demonstations across Glasgow
Police Scotland said the Possilpark demonstration "dispersed without further issue" following the single arrest.
A spokesperson added: "We had appropriate resources in place to ensure the safety of those in attendance and mitigate disruption to the wider community.
"A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with a disorder offence and inquiries remain ongoing."
Last week the force issued a warning about hate crime following the demonstration in the Castlemilk area, where house windows were reported to have been smashed.
Officers said the person inside was an "innocent member of the public".
In Cranhill, a 50-year-old man was arrested and charged over a police assault after a large group gathered outside a block of flats.
Image source, YouTube
Glasgow-based video blogger Craig Houston was stopped at Edinburgh airport
Meanwhile, on Friday,a right-wing YouTuber was stopped and questioned by police at Edinburgh Airport under anti-terror laws.
Craig Houston, 53, had posted videos online discussing the recent incidents.
The Glasgow-based blogger describes himself as an investigative journalist and runs a video channel about political issues including immigration
He was not been arrested or charged, but Police Scotland confirmed his electronic devices had been seized.
