In a bigger than expected turnout, over 400 people rallied in Glasgow's George Square to show their support for the wave of pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. The crowd heard from a number of speakers including Peter Murray, the President of the National Union of Journalists and Miriam Al Khawaja who addressed those attending by phone from Pearl Square in Bahrain.
While the rally as called to support all of the protests in the Arab world, understandably, given the bloodshed in the last few days, it was the situation in Libya that dominated the event. The Libyan "independence flag" was flown by many of those in attendance and speaker after speaker called on the British government to break all links with the Gaddaffi regime. One protester said that while the Libyan government had tanks and aircraft "our dreams are our weapons." Home made placards also drove home the protesters message with some stating "Gaddaffi must go" while others called for "no more dictators." Amongst the many Bahraini flags present a child carried a placard that simply stated "No Shia no Sunni, just Bahrani."
As the rally ended the organisers, The Stop the War Coalition, announced plans to hold a march through Glasgow city centre this Saturday. As the crowd dispersed George Square echoed to an Arabic chant that will be familiar to those who seen news reports of demonstrations in Egypt, ""Al Sha'ab yoreed isqat al nizam"; The People want to overthrow the regime.
Glasgow Tuesday 22 February Words James Doleman Photos © Duncan Brown
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