Scottish PEN is shocked and appalled at the level of violence used by Police Scotland against peaceful activists on Wednesday 3rd July 2024.
Police violence occurred following a peaceful protest at Thales Arms Factory, Govan, where activists managed to shut down the factory to disrupt the company’s production of components for Israeli military drones, used in Israel’s genocide in Palestine.
Once the protest finished, activists began making their way home. Police officers and vehicles accompanied the group from Thales to Govan Cross. Police then launched into an aggressive and unprovoked attack on activists, using both batons and pepper/mace spray. 11 arrests were made with people thrown to the ground, pinned face down with pressure, and handcuffed while surrounded by a group of police officers wielding batons.
The activists were corralled with nowhere to escape and video evidence shows a police officer screaming ‘Run for your life!’ Reports state anywhere between 26 and 32 police cars and vans were present at the scene, blocking off the street to both activists and passers-by, and a police helicopter was also employed.
One man was badly injured by pepper/mace spray, a 26-year-old woman needed staples for a head wound allegedly inflicted by a police baton, and 3 other activists needed medical attention. [The National 18th July 2024]
Scottish PEN is gravely concerned both for the safety of activists who, when they were attacked, were not engaging in any form of protest, and for the serious restrictions on freedom of expression that this display of police violence poses. The behaviour of Police Scotland is directly contrary to their own regulations as stipulated on their website, suggesting an inquiry into this incident is urgently needed and, if applicable, individual officers are held accountable for their actions.
Scottish PEN adheres to the principles set out in the PEN Charter whereby members ‘pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel race, class and national hatreds, and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace in one world.’
Full Disclosure: One of our Board members, Dr Lizzie Eldridge, participated in the protest at Thales Arms Factory and was an eye-witness to the later attacks carried out by the police.
Image credits: Instagram/Facebook, provided to The National