On Saturday, hundreds of anti-racism demonstrators flocked to Glasgow's George Square, decisively outnumbering far-right thugs who were scheduled to demonstrate in the city center.

The event, which was organized by Stand Up To Racism, sent a strong message to those who were anticipated to demonstrate this weekend. Protesters held signs and banners that said "No to racism" and "Refugees welcome, stop the far-right."

Police from Scotland were also there because on Saturday, identical images appeared in a number of towns across the nation. Numerous anti-racism demonstrations have taken place around Scotland, with demonstrators lining the streets of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Dumfries.

People have come together this week to demonstrate against the far-right in an act of solidarity, with people filling city centres across the UK today and earlier in the week. Sam Orr, 23, who attended the demonstration in Glasgow on Saturday, told the Daily Record: "It’s really important to be here to show people that love and friendship are powerful.

Sam, who was with mum Ann, 62, and George, 64, joined the rally after being left horrified by violent scenes which broke out in England. They added: "Seeing all of these people turning up to speak out gives me faith. "The riots and thuggery makes the world seem like a scary place. Knowing so many people care about others makes me feel safe. I hope people from other communities feel safe seeing us here today."

Tim Lewis, 26, an architect from Southampton, but now staying in Partick, held up a sign saying "Increase the peace." He said: "I’m here in response to the far right on the rise in the UK. We shouldn’t allow racist thugs on our streets. We need to make our streets peaceful, all over the UK and across the world."

The 48-year-old Nai Rui Chung, who relocated to Scotland from Singapore, expressed his sadness over the recent occurrences. "As a member of an ethnic minority, I have been watching the news and wondering if this is real," stated the scientist from Glasgow University. I'm here to stand in support of my friends and coworkers. It is critical that we take a stance and defend our beliefs. I live in Glasgow. Here, I feel encouraged and safe."

The protest have come in response to violent disorder across England and Northern Ireland which has been fuelled by the far-right and misinformation online. It stems back to the brutal killing of three schoolgirls in Southport, Merseyside. The attack saw three girls, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Aguiar, killed and eight children and two adults injured when the suspect entered The Hart Space during a children's Taylor Swift dance class.

In the days that followed the attack, riots erupted across the country, beginning in Southport the following day before spreading to cities and towns in the UK. Misinformation around the suspect's identity fuelled the anger, with far-right groups organising protests and riots.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, has since been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. He appeared in court last week where a trial date was set for January 2025.