Around 200 people gathered in Glasgow on Sunday 4 October in solidarity with the people of Garvaghy Road and their resistance to renewed Orange Order incursions. Called by Cairde na hÉireann, the demonstration sent a clear message: those defending their community against loyalist intimidation have support across the Irish Sea.
Saoradh, the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association (IRPWA), Glasgow Republicans, Cairde na hÉireann, Bhoys Celtic, the Green Brigade and Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! (FRFI) stood together. This was a welcome display of unity, rarely seen in Glasgow in recent years, reflecting the unity forged in defence of Garvaghy Road. Threatened organised loyalist opposition failed to materialise; only a few loyalist individuals appeared. A nearby gathering of reactionary Iranian regime-change supporters was their regular weekly protest, unrelated to the solidarity demonstration.
FRFI contributed a sound system, leaflets and a banner declaring: ‘From Glasgow to Gaza to Garvaghy Road’, calling for resistance to occupation and fascism. Carrying the slogans ‘Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!’, the banner was enthusiastically welcomed and taken up by demonstrators. An FRFI comrade’s speech was warmly received, with a cheer greeting the acknowledgement of Irish political prisoners held in British gaols in Ireland today. Leaflets were widely distributed and the newspaper sold without obstruction. The welcome for FRFI’s contribution showed the scope for further united action.
Apart from the RCG and individual supporters of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the organised left was almost entirely absent. Stand Up To Racism had no visible presence. If it opposes racism and fascism, where was its solidarity with the residents confronting Orange intimidation? Loyalism is racism. There was no organised presence from the Labour left or trade unions. Their absence exposed the limits of an anti-racism which fails to confront British imperialism in Ireland.
Solidarity with Garvaghy Road means opposing the Labour Party and the imperialist government which maintains Britain’s occupation of the north of Ireland.
Glasgow’s demonstration showed what can be achieved by standing together. That unity must now be sustained. In Glasgow as on Garvaghy Road, democratic rights are defended by exercising them. Retreating before threats only strengthens those who would deny them. To the people of Garvaghy Road: we stand with you.
