Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow was taken over by campaigners from Art Workers for Palestine Scotland on Tuesday.
People could be seen sat outside the building blocking the entrance, while traffic was temporarily unable to pass through the area.
(Image: NQ) Police confirmed a 63-year-old woman had been arrested, while the details of other participants were taken down by officers as they left the scene.
The group had planned to takeover the building from Tuesday until Saturday in protest over the CCA board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
The sit-in was set to feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate "the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions" in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
On Wednesday, however, the CCA said it would be temporarily closing for the rest of the week, citing "recent events and ongoing conversations" involving the centre.
READ MORE: UK Culture Secretary: BBC should not show Kneecap's Glastonbury set
In a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday, the CCA said: "In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week.
"This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection.
"We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully.
"We will be sharing further updates in the coming days. Thank you for your support, and for your patience."
Following Tuesday's protest, police confirmed to The National that a criminal investigation was underway linked to licencing laws.
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