Glasgow. It’s a city of culture, a city of diversity, and it’s a city that isn’t afraid to voice its opinions.
Thousands made headlines in July when we held a mass protest in George Square against some bloke who came here to play golf…oh yes, the US President Donald Trump.
Opinions on these protests tend to divide the country. On the one hand, people believe it to be a complete waste of time, with some going as far to suggest protesters are “embarrassing themselves”.
But others see it as a vital response. They stand proudly, telling the world that they feel people like Donald Trump are not welcome here.
They held their heads up high, armed with one voice – and an array of excellent placards.
From “Keep your small mitts off my lady bits”, to a kid dressed as a superhero saying: “Batman says NO to Trump”, the protests made news worldwide – acting as a gesture to Americans that we understand their concerns.
But away from the Donald, Glaswegians are always keen to gather together and air their views. Last month, communities took to the streets to protest private housing provider Serco’s plan to evict hundreds of refugees from their properties. After Glaswegians rallied outside the Home Office for several days, the company decided to pause their plan to change the locks on the affected asylum seekers’ homes.
So whether it’s marches for Scottish independence, demonstrating in front of the council building in George Square, or blazing it up in Glasgow Green for 4/20 day, there’s always bound to be something happening in the city.
This month marks the fourth anniversary of the independence referendum and, like every year, supporters from across the country are set to gather in Glasgow once more. On 15 September, a parade will go from Holland Street to George Square, armed with flags, banners and chants.
And if previous events are to go by, the event is set to bring in huge crowds, with the rally in May seeing more than 40,000 people take to the streets.
Elsewhere, the Dennistoun War Memorial Committee in the east of the city is set to unveil a tribute to the area’s war dead on September 29 – by a resident veteran.
A pipe band, veteran groups, Scouts, Girl Guides, Boys Brigade and local schools will all take part in the day – which is estimated to bring around 300 people out into the streets.
A full list of the remaining official parades and events in Glasgow in September and October are as follows:
- Saturday, 15 September: Scottish Recovery Consortium at Glasgow Green
- Saturday, 22 September: Orange Walk on Kinfauns Drive
- Saturday, 6 October: Orange Walk by Alexandra Park
- Saturday, 20 October: 36th Ulster Memorial Association in Kelvingrove Park
- Saturday, 27 October: Educational Institute Scotland in Glasgow Green
