Racist graffiti has been discovered in a park in Glasgow, causing anger and disgust among the local community. The graffiti, believed to be from a far-right group, was found in a BBQ and picnic area of Pollok Park playing fields and contained anti-Muslim messages along with Scottish Defence League (SDL) acronyms.
Scottish Greens Councillor Anthony Carroll condemned the graffiti, emphasizing that racism has no place in Scottish communities. He highlighted the recent counter-protest in George Square, which showed that those spreading hate are outnumbered by anti-fascists. The councillor called for the prompt removal of the offensive graffiti.
A dog walker who came across the graffiti expressed their shock and disgust, especially as families, including Scots-Asians and children, were using the park at the time. The individual believed that the racist words were specifically targeted at certain groups and hoped for swift action from the council to clean up the graffiti.
The SDL, an offshoot of the English Defence League, has been linked to the graffiti. Despite claiming not to be racist, critics argue that the group promotes violence and division. Anti-racist campaigner Zamard Zahid condemned the graffiti as Islamophobic and aimed at creating fear in diverse communities. She emphasized the resilience of local communities in the face of hate.
In response to the offensive graffiti, Glasgow City Council stated that they are committed to removing such messages within two days to prevent community upset and maintain cohesion. The council urged residents to report any offensive graffiti for prompt removal.
The incident in Pollok Park serves as a reminder of the importance of standing against racism and hate in all its forms. The community’s response to such acts of intolerance demonstrates unity and resilience in the face of divisive actions. By condemning and swiftly addressing incidents of hate, Glasgow continues to uphold its values of inclusivity and diversity.
