Some points about parades: I share the revulsion at the hate crime committed against Canon White & have strong sympathy with the petition but: the Council simply does NOT have the power to enact a blanket ban on parades by any organisation 1/
I have instructed officers to ensure that we use the powers we do have to their fullest extent & have asked @policescotland colleagues to assist us in doing that: the Council can’t legally act without grounds being given to us by the police 2/
I’ve also asked for ways of objecting to planned parades to be made much more prominent on our website & made available through the My Glasgow app. We can only act on objections made in advance, on specific applications & on grounds in 2006 Act 3/
I will ensure @GlasgowCC does everything in our power to respond to the strength of feeling this petition demonstrates - but it would actually be better directed at MSPs, who have much more power than Councils here. They could strengthen the 2006 Act that governs us 4/
I would urge MSPS to consider their own powers & responsibilities. Confusion among the public about who can do what is entirely understandable: parliamentarians should be better informed about their role & assist Councils in providing clarity 5/
We are all governed by European human rights legislation which protects the right to free assembly, even for people we disagree with. I believe in & support that right. But I will do what I can within the powers GCC has to ensure that right is no longer abused in our city.
