Two supporters of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! in Glasgow are facing trial on the 9 and 10 January 2025 at Glasgow Sheriff Court for protesting in defence of Palestine. Popularly known as the Starmer 2, the comrades were arrested on 7 December 2023, during Keir Starmer’s visit to Glasgow to speak at the Scottish Labour Winter Gala dinner.
During his commute to Glasgow, Starmer had been verbally challenged on the train over his open support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza and upon arrival at Glasgow Central Station he was faced by dozens of Palestine solidarity activists who called him out for the imperialist warmonger he is. After scurrying out of Central Station with his small team of security escorts, Starmer made his way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The Palestine solidarity protest, organised by the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee, that was waiting to meet him there, was confronted by dozens of heavy-handed police. The two comrades were violently arrested outside the hotel and then held overnight in the cells and charged with multiple police assaults, resisting arrest and breach of the peace.
An online petition that was set up after their arrest demanding the charges be dropped has got over 2,000 signatures (here) and hundreds of people have also signed paper petitions on Palestine protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.
Since becoming Prime Minister Starmer has continued his open and unconditional support for Israeli genocide, which has now expanded into Lebanon, and so we must continue to call him out and protest Britain’s complicity in this. We must support all those being criminalised for defending Palestine and Lebanon.
Join us outside Glasgow Sheriff Court to raise our voices in defence of Palestine and the Starmer 2:
Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January, from 9am
1 Carlton Place, G5 9DA
We ask supporters to join us inside court too so make sure to wear your Keffiyehs!
