A SERIES of statues across Glasgow have been targeted with "racist" propaganda, sparking widespread anger.
Signs bearing the words "White Lives Matter" were hung from various monuments in the city on Sunday morning, including the Duke of Wellington on Ingram Street and the Queen Victoria and William Gladstone monuments in George Square.
Images on social media show a group of around eight people standing outside the Gallery of Modern Art with a man holding up one of the signs.
READ MORE: Witnesses 'horrified' by Patriotic Alternative banner on Ben Nevis summit
The "racist" action has been condemned by leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken, who said that officials will support police with future enforcement if it is deemed necessary.
Aitken said: "This is a slogan that we have seen used by the far right, by actual neo Nazis, in America. It isn’t making some clever point about equality – it is a racist attempt to trivialise, excuse and ignore the discrimination, hate and violence endured by people of colour.
"I don’t believe it is a campaign that has much support in Glasgow – and the council will certainly take steps to remove this sort of material and support police if they believe other action is necessary.”
The signs have been met with fury by locals, who warned that such views are "not welcome in the city", reports the Daily Record.
SNP councillor Angus Millar also blasted the wording of the signs, and called on the public to unite in calling the action out.
He said: "It's distressing to see these signs in Glasgow. Racism has no place in our city and these sorts of slogans are intended to assert white supremacy in the face of movements for racial and social justice such as Black Lives Matter.
"Glasgow has a long history of standing up to racism and I am sure the city will come together again to call this sloganeering out."
Meanwhile, Police Scotland confirmed that officers are investigating the matter.
A spokesperson said: “Officers were called to reports of signs being placed on monuments at George Square at 8.25am on Sunday, July 31. The signs were removed. Inquiries are ongoing.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel