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Annex C Statement on tackling abusive behaviour at marches and parades
Plain English Campaign's Crystal Mark does not apply to this annex.
Scotland has a proud history of parading and peaceful assembly. We all accept that with those rights come responsibilities. While most participants conduct themselves in an orderly manner, some marches can attract individuals intent on causing trouble, singing and chanting abusive and bigoted songs and slogans and even behaving in a violent and disruptive manner. Such individuals have little interest in the march and are ignorant of the historical or political motivations behind it.
For many years communities have suffered the consequences of this behaviour. It is simply no longer acceptable for anyone to use these events as an excuse to indulge in anti-social and criminal behaviour. Those who organise marches and parades, the authorities responsible for the welfare of communities, the police responsible for keeping order and the Scottish Executive all agree that the abusive behaviour associated with marches and parades has no place in a modern multi-cultural and multi-faith Scotland. We all agree that the time has come for this problem to be tackled once and for all.
This statement is a clear message of our intent to work together to deal with the abusive individuals who are not welcome and will not be tolerated at marches and parades in Scotland.
Together we agree to:
- Exert whatever influence we can to ensure that those individuals who take part in marches and parades behave in a responsible and law-abiding manner.
- Use whatever means we can to advise spectators that abusive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Ensure that illegal symbols, slogans, uniforms or paraphernalia associated with banned organisations are not permitted on the march.
- Work in partnership to identify and deal with those individuals whose behaviour is unacceptable or causing distress to ordinary members of the community.
- Ensure that proportionate action is taken to deal with those individuals who will not desist from bigoted and abusive verbal or physical behaviour.
Signatories:
Cathy Jamieson, MSP, Minister for Justice
Ian Wilson, the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge for Scotland
Jim Slaven, National Organiser for Cairde na hEireann
Katrina Purcell, chairperson of the STUC General Council
Gerard O'Connor, President, Ancient Order of Hibernians
William Hek, Grand Master, Provincial Grand Black Chapter of Scotland
Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Smith of Strathclyde Police
Councillor Jim Coleman of Glasgow City Council
Councillor David Saunders of North Lanarkshire Council
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