Councillors call for cross-party effort to end sectarianism in Glasgow
There are calls for a ban on groups associated with terrorist organisations from taking part in marches in Glasgow.
There are calls for a ban on groups associated with terrorist organisations from taking part in marches in Glasgow.
Conservative group lead Thomas Kerr plans to bring papers next month and is calling on the other four parties to back his proposals.
He also wants to see the establishment of a dedicated processions committee with representatives from every political party in the city - the chair of the current panel has other duties and councilors selection is random.
He told Clyde News: "There's people who celebrated the killing of the journalist over in Ireland, with links to the IRA... no wonder people don't want this on their streets.
"Then there's the other side like the UVF. The council wouldn't let ISIS march on our streets so why are letting these other organisations take part.
"You're not welcome. That's the message.
"And that's why we need to leave committee lead that's dedicated to making sure that the organisations that are taking part know that these behaviors are not acceptable.
"So, if an Irish Unity group turns round and says 'we're having this march and an IRA bad are taking part' it's the chair's job to say 'No - this is not allowed'.
"There's been a bubbling tension under the surface and no one had felt able to stand up and say we need to find a solution to this. I think what happened in Govan is just the start of what could happen if we don't get this right."
Labour will make a similar demand at today's full council meeting. They want a working group set up to debate the future of marches.
It follows action by Glasgow City Council to put a stop to six Republican or Loyalist processions due to have taken place this weekend.
Councillor McAveety said: “Sectarianism has begun to rear its ugly head on Glasgow’s streets again, and it simply cannot go on.
“The scenes we have been witness to have been nothing short of a disgrace. All of us recognise the severity of the challenge facing our city and recognise that the issue is much bigger than party politics. It speaks to who we are as a city.”
The Glasgow Labour leader will call for a group to be convened to update members of the on-going discussions, about these parades and other issues, with the Scottish Government.
Police were on standby last weekend to deal with another Irish Republican march and Loyalist protesters, which saw 11 people arrested.
Councillor Aitken has already held meetings with the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary to explore potential changes to legislation in a bid to restrict the number of marches.
Residents have said that enough is enough and that is time to stop driving people out of the city with these protests.
Councillor McAveety went on: “Glasgow has shaken off the demons of its past and is a world-class city built on the foundations of tolerance and respect.
“It will take all of us working together, speaking as one city, to stay true to those principles.
“The people of Glasgow have had enough with the violence on their streets and it is incumbent on us all to reach a solution for the good of our city."