THIS weekend, hundreds of people are expected to gather at demonstrations in Scotland to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC) has organised demonstrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as more than 30,000 Palestinians are believed to have been killed by Israel’s military offensive in Gaza since October 7.
Activists have gathered every weekend since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7.
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It comes amid rising tensions in Downing Street after Rishi Sunak confirmed the UK Government will bring in a "new robust framework" for policing protests in a bid to crackdown on pro-Palestine marches.
During a statement outside Downing Street on Friday evening, the Prime Minister also said people in the UK on some visas could be removed for joining certain protests.
First Minister Humza Yousaf (below) criticised the move, saying: "Peaceful protest is at the heart of our democracy. We will always resist attempts to curtail those fundamental freedoms."
See all the details about this weekend’s demonstrations below.
Edinburgh
- 1pm, Foot of the Mound
This demonstration typically happens every weekend in Edinburgh.
Glasgow
- 12pm, Barrowland Park
A march will take place on Saturday afternoon, heading towards the Emirates Arena where the Indoor Athletics World Championships are taking place.
— GGEC (@ggectee) March 1, 2024
In a statement, the group said: “Join us as we march east to the Emirates Arena to make clear our opposition to the apartheid state.”
READ MORE: Israel yet to provide evidence to back Hamas attack claims against UNRWA
The GGEC previously protested outside the Indoor Athletics World Championships in Glasgow as athletes signed up for the competition.
In a campaign called Don’t Run With Genocide, the group is calling for Israel’s removal from the event, although it is understood that no athletes are competing for Israel in this year's competition
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