Thread by @LabourMercedes

I'm disappointed that my question to the Scottish Government wasn't chosen by the presiding officer for today's chamber business.

There are serious concerns regarding the policing of protests at COP26 in Glasgow which must be answered - thread 🧵

Climate activists and campaign organisations raised concerns regarding the 'heavy-handed' policing at COP26 in Glasgow.

In response, Police Scotland claimed to be a "rights-based organisation" committed to "human rights at the heart of everything we do" heraldscotland.com/politics/19695…

Yet during the #GlobalDayofAction on Saturday afternoon a group of 50-60 young campaigners were surrounded and held by police at the corner of Holland Street and St Vincent Street in Glasgow.

The group had been part of the workers' and housing bloc.

https://twitter.com/NotOneRogueCop/status/1457285651687161862

Police officers at the scene said the group would be released once the crowd had moved back. Instead, the space created was used to gradually move those kettled up Holland Street further away from the rest of the march.

https://twitter.com/tamwilson_/status/1457007890611441674

The group were held on Holland Street for more than 2 hours in cold and wet conditions.

They had reportedly received a police escort from the start of the march.

Why were they targeted? Why were they detained? Under what power? On who's say so?

https://twitter.com/NotOneRogueCop/status/1457011577211826178

Spirits were raised by a rendition of The Internationale

🎶So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
Unites the human race.🎵

https://twitter.com/janderson_news/status/1457012436733677574

Myself and @lindasomervill repeatedly tried to get answers from officers at the scene.

Eventually we were told by a police liaison officer (badge number G2847) that the group would be released in small numbers but not allowed to re-join the march.

https://twitter.com/LabourMercedes/status/1457023897052848137

A number of arrests were made on Saturday, including 1 from inside the kettle, 1 from outside and several scientists who had taken direct action on George V bridge.

https://twitter.com/ScientistRebel1/status/1456973944091668485

Activists were detained at Baird Street police station for more than 6 hours, at least one received no charge.

In a show of solidarity, comrades gathered to await their release. They were joined by police station support volunteers from @activists_legal

https://twitter.com/activists_legal/status/1457170008400961536

Not content with the chaos they caused on Saturday, police have continued to target protestors by raiding the @BaileHoose occupation on Sunday night.

https://twitter.com/LabourMercedes/status/1457781542789337091

Peaceful protest is a human right. ✊

If the Scottish Government is serious about their commitment to Human Rights, the Justice Minister must hold Police Scotland to account for their actions at home and abroad. 🌍