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Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Arrested Glasgow Palestine protester to appeal city centre ban
Sean Clerkin, 64, was arrested last Friday in Glasgow when he displayed a sign that said Genocide in Palestine Time to take Action with the words Palestine and Action in larger letters than the rest. Police said it showed support for Palestine Action, a group that is proscribed in the UK under the Terrorism Act, and he was arrested. He said given the number of arrests across the UK, he fears freedom of speech is under attack. READ NEXT:Man arrested in Glasgow for holding Palestine sign Mr Clerkin was given Police bail and he had to sign an undertaking not to enter the city centre until his court appearance later in the year. (Image: Gordon Terris) He has said it is 'draconian' and has engaged a solicitor to challenge it. The activist said: 'I can't enter the city centre but I can speak out against the ban.' The activist, who is campaign co-ordinator for the Scottish Tenants Organisation spoke to the Glasgow Times, at a location outside the zone he is excluded from, to tell of the impact it will have on his voluntary work and family life. Clerkin said: 'What I was doing was speaking out against genocide and the killing of children.' READ NEXT:Man 'banned' from Glasgow city centre after Palestine protest He also said he is not a supporter of Palestine Action or their methods but he said the group should be de-proscribed. The group was banned under the Terrorism Act after members broke into an RAF base in England, causing damage. Clerkin said: 'I qualified my support in saying I support de-proscription as a terrorist organisation but I don't support them doing criminal damage. I don't agree with the destruction of property. 'I am not a member of Palestine Action. I am not a supporter of Palestine Action.' Mr Clerkin, said there are wider implications for democracy in the UK following a number of arrests of people alleged to have shown support for the organisation. He said: 'This is a battle for freedom of speech. Civil liberties are being attacked. 'If this is not the start of the road to a politicised police state, I don't know what is.' He fears other groups will be targeted for the same treatment. He said: 'Where does it stop? 'This is Orwellian. It is 1984 in operation.' READ NEXT:Police update on Palestine Action protests during Donald Trump's visit The protester said he was 'treated very well' by the police when he was detained but he worries how the Police are being directed by the government. He added: 'This is policing like Soviet era, eastern European regime standards.' His exclusion zone extends from Charing Cross in the west to beyond Glasgow Cross in the east and from Renfrew Street in the north to the south of the River Clyde. He said it will have a disproportionate effect on his life. Mr Clerkin said: 'It is my daughter's birthday next week. To go and see her, I will need to think about how I can get there, as I can't even travel through the city centre on public transport. 'It could end up costing me a lot more than it should. 'I regularly met tenants and people with homelessness issues in the city centre and represent people at meetings and hearings.' If he is found guilty, he faces up to 14 years in jail. He said: 'I'm not guilty of any crime. All I did was hold a poster. I hope sanity will prevail and the rule of law will prevail. 'I want a jury trial. If the penalty can be a lengthy jail sentence, it should be on a verdict based on the judgment of my peers.'
Glasgow Times
19 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Peter Krykant remembered as a 'lifesaver' at funeral
Peter, who became a public figure after he set up an unofficial drugs consumption room in Glasgow in 2020, died suddenly last month at the age of 48. At his funeral at Falkirk Crematorium yesterday (July 21) the Daily Record reports celebrant John Fox said: "The tragedy is that Peter cared so much about the cause of safe consumption and harm reduction to improve the lives and experiences of people who use drugs. "Yet he was not able to address his own mental and physical health and to find his way out of addiction and back to the safe stability of his loving family and friends.' READ NEXT: Family of Kory McCrimmon to meet First Minister in bid to tackle youth knife crime (Image: Mark F Gibson) He was also praised by MSP Paul Sweeney who said: "Peter's death is a great tragedy to all those who knew and loved him. He undoubtedly saved lives and his legacy is evident." Peter set up the consumption room, which operated in 2020 and 2021, in a converted van in Glasgow city centre. He used crowdfunding and his own money in an effort to highlight the need for a safe space for drug users to inject. The van was modelled on a similar operation Peter, who also battled addiction, visited in Copenhagen and had sterile injecting kits, swabs and Naloxone, as well as a defibrillator. The Glasgow Times previously reported Peter was found dead after police were called to Graham Avenue in Larbert on Monday, June 9 following a report of concern for a person.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Historic city pub forced to close after ceiling collapses
The historic pub, which dates back to 1850, said that part of the ceiling collapsed due to water ingress. The incident, which took place while customers were inside the pub, resulted in one person being injured. READ MORE: Why the case for a 'Scottish visa' just got stronger Scotch whisky chief pays price as global turmoil hits industry Major business survey reveals 'standout' view on 'Scottish visa' Speaking to The Herald's sister title Glasgow Times, The Station Bar said: "Investigations have shown water leakage from above that wasn't visible, as it was a slow leak. "It may have been exacerbated by demolition nearby, as we had been feeling vibrations." The pub confirmed that it should reopen later this week: "It was a shock, completely unexpected, and definitely more drama than the norm for us. "We're normally just plodding silently in the back of the old pubs of the Glasgow scene. The boys started the repairs, so all is going well, and we should be reopening on Friday."
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow's homeless face ‘going hungry' after cash blow to charity
City centre-based The Marie Trust will no longer be able to offer crisis intervention housing support or hot meals from their café in Albion Street from July 25. The devastating blow comes after the organisation, which supports those dealing with financial hardship and struggling to keep a roof over their heads, missed out on a crucial tender to keep some of its much-needed services afloat. One source told the Glasgow Times: 'This is heartbreaking for those coping with homelessness, so many people rely on being able to come into the café daily as it's often the only cooked meal they get. 'Everyone is gutted by the news around the contract, it means around 200 homeless people a day will miss out on getting breakfast, lunch or dinner. It will hit the most vulnerable incredibly hard and there's genuine concern about the impact this will have and how people will survive without this service.' Our source added: 'The charity does fantastic work and even has a training kitchen to teach people the importance of eating a healthy nutritious meal, but now the funding is no longer in place, it's unable to operate. 'Staff and the people who come through the doors are in bits. This is a huge blow that nobody expected. Where will people turn to for help, especially with the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city rising year after year?' (Image: NQ) The Marie Trust also provides dental health checks, laundry services and seven-day emergency food parcels to those experiencing financial hardship. It is unclear if these will be impacted by the changes. A statement from the charity reads: 'We regret to inform you that we will no longer be offering our housing and welfare service or our training kitchen and café service after July 25. 'This change is due to the Wayfinder Outreach Services Contract, commissioned by Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, which will commence on August 7. Unfortunately, we have been informed that the Marie Trust was unsuccessful in tendering for this. 'The trust will however continue to deliver our Hospital Outreach Service, counselling and psychotherapy and education service. We would like to thank all our service users, supporters and partners for all their support and trust over the years.' READ NEXT: Theft from Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sparks probe It continues: 'We understand that this may impact those currently using our services, and we are committed to supporting individuals through this transition as best we can.' A Glasgow man spoke to us about how he was able to transform his life after turning to the Marie Trust when he hit rock bottom. He said: 'I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the support, care and compassion shown to me. The charity basically brought me back from the brink and helped me to get back on my feet. 'It means so much to so many people. The work they do is invaluable and knowing that people will miss out on a hot meal because of these changes is soul destroying. So many vulnerable people could potentially slip through the net, and that is a major worry.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow artist's tribute to Oasis ahead of Murrayfield gigs
Well-known Glasgow artist Ashley Rawson has created a tribute to the legendary rock band, which Casts a Shadow on Buchanan Street in the city centre. Titled 'Bro(w)therly Love', it features a massive monobrow which meets in the middle between two phone boxes on the busy street. It also features small figurines of the Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, in the centre and has an eye which references their discovery at the famous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut venue on St Vincent Street. Ashley Rawson with his 'Bro(w)therly Love' artwork on Buchanan Street (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: I am behind some of Glasgow's biggest murals, now I am doing a first Speaking to the Glasgow Times about the piece, Ashley said: "A lot of street artists do murals and I thought, so I've been trying to do something that's a little bit different. "With this one, I was just walking through town and I just noticed that there were these two phone boxes together and I thought, what could I do with that... "I just thought, the Gallaghers, I was quite excited about them getting back together. "I ended up thinking that I'll do something a bit weird, and thought about what they're famous for. "So, I just thought I'd put a monobrow on that, and I'll do these little models of the two Gallagher brothers. "I like the idea that siblings can fall out and the idea of them coming together, and it being a nice message." Ashley is accustomed to being a Street-Art Supernova in Glasgow and has previously painted a mural of 'Christ on a Bike' on the Clydeside, as well as a depiction of Donald Trump behind bars, located behind the Brazen Head pub in the Gorbals. The Gallagher brother models on the 'Bro(w)therly Love' artwork on Buchanan Street (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Calls for urgent action to protect A-listed building in Glasgow READ MORE: Award-winning restaurant to be taken over by leading hospitality firm He also spoke about the importance of commemorating the band's 'discovery' by Alan McGee at King Tut's in 1993. Ashley said: "Glasgow feels like quite a good place for Oasis because it's a kind of you know it's not too dissimilar from Manchester. "It's an industrial town, and the fact that they were discovered here by a Scottish guy as well, I think that's all really, really worth referencing." Ashley, who is known for the Glasgow Kiss painting, among others, is exhibiting his work later this year as part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations at Cass Art in the city centre. The artist's works include Glasgow Kiss, featuring a Rangers and Celtic fan kissing. He is also responsible for the Hampden Bowling Club mural marking a Scotland 5-1 win over England on the site in 1882, and recently the Grumpy Oompa Lumpa from the now infamous Glasgow Wonka event. The homage to King Tut's on the 'Bro(w)therly Love' artwork on Buchanan Street (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: New pictures show how George Square's £20m makeover will change City Chambers Ashley has managed to focus more on his art in recent years thanks to the success of his prints and public work. The joy of seeing his street art 'bring people a bit of joy' isn't lost on him, though. Ashley explained: "I think that kind of art, this idea of taking something that's normal and mundane, like a telephone box, and then doing something fun with it, is great. "I just like the idea of someone walking past it one day, and it's just the usual. "It's the way it's always been, and they don't see it. "And then the next day there's been this change, and you know, it's nice. "It just kind of entertains people, gives them a wee smile, and that's what I think that street art's really good for." Oasis is set to play three huge sold-out dates at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh next month as part of The Oasis Live '25 tour.
