Police Scotland have described climate protests taking place in Glasgow today as 'beyond anything' the force has ever seen.
In a statement published following the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice protests, which saw an estimated 100,000 taking part, they said the day had 'passed largely without incident'.
Just over 20 arrests were made, the majority during a lock-on at the King George V Bridge by a group called Scientist Rebellion.
One further arrest was made while officers were 'containing' a separate group in the city centre.
Police were accused of kettling a group the protestors for up to two hours while the rally at Glasgow Green was ongoing.
Dozens of people were held on the parade route at the junction of Holland Street and St Vincent Street 'on the grounds of public safety'.
Eyewitnesses said the Young Communist League of Britain were unfairly targetted by officers and were the only group on the march to be 'personally escorted'.
It's understood one of their members was among those arrested, prompting a demonstration outside of Baird Street police office.
Elsewhere in the city, officers had to forcefully remove a group called Scientist Rebellion who had chained themselves together on the King George V bridge.
Officers were involved in a standoff with the activists who vowed to stay put until they were arrested. It's understood police bolt cutters to get the protestors into custody.
A statement Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie says: "Glasgow has today hosted a public protest the size and scale of which was beyond anything many of us - both within and outwith policing - can ever remember.
"As one of the key events of COP26, the Climate March this afternoon brought together thousands of people from across Scotland, the UK and the world.
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"Months of planning has gone into the policing operation for the procession and through regular discussion with organisers and key campaign groups, we clearly set our expectations for the behaviour of participants.
"I am pleased to say today has passed largely without incident. The procession has been generally good natured, with participants in high spirits, keen to draw attention to their respective causes with Police Scotland officers deployed alongside mutual aid officers from across the UK.
"As we've made clear throughout, our aim has been to deliver a safe and secure conference, and ensure people's right to protest - and counter protest - and having their voices heard is upheld through the facilitation of peaceful, lawful protest.
"However, we've also been steadfast in our commitment that we will not tolerate damage to property, violence or disorder.
"A group of people was contained by officers after their conduct deteriorated, pyrotechnic devices were used and they brought the procession to a halt. The containment remained in place for a short time before being lifted as the march came to a conclusion. One person was arrested following the end of the march.
"In a separate incident this morning, our Police Liaison Team and Protest Removal Team attended to ensure the safe removal of people involved in a lock-on at the King George V Bridge at the Broomielaw in Glasgow. As a result, 21 people were arrested and have been released on an undertaking.
"I want to thank the vast majority of those who attended both the Youth March and the Climate March for their positive attitudes and for following instructions from our officers."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiR2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmdsYXNnb3dsaXZlLmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvb3Zlci0yMC1hcnJlc3RzLW1hZGUtZHVyaW5nLTIyMDkxODYw0gEA?oc=5
2021-11-06 21:42:01Z
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