Roughly 450 people gathered in Falkirk at the weekend to mark one year since a community‑led campaign against protests targeting local asylum accommodation began. The event, organised under the banner Falkirk For All Unity March, started at Callendar House for speeches before moving into the town centre with banners, flags and chants in support of refugees.
Confrontation and disruption
Organisers said the march faced attempts at disruption from individuals linked to far‑right groups, including people associated with the Scottish Freedom Patriots. A man who cannot be named because of spent conviction legislation and who has previously admitted an assault was reported to have tried to enter the march and behaved abusively towards participants and police.
"For a year, these groups have claimed that their demonstrations are about protecting women and children... They are not protectors. Women and children should not be used as a political excuse for abusive behaviour," the rally spokesperson said.
Despite those attempts to interfere, march organisers said participants maintained a peaceful presence and reclaimed the town’s streets from what they described as "politics of fear and division." The anti‑racism event was held separate from an ongoing anti‑immigration rally that has been taking place outside the Cladhan Hotel.
What happened at the march
- Gathering point: Callendar House, where speeches were delivered.
- Attendance: organisers estimated around 450 people.
- Behaviour: supporters carried banners and chanted in support of refugees; far‑right figures reportedly attempted to disrupt the event.
Images from the scene showed people in balaclavas among those trying to disrupt the demonstration. Police were present and intervened as incidents occurred, according to organisers. The event follows a period of heightened tensions nationally, with reports in recent weeks of far‑right violence and intimidation linked to anti‑immigration activity.
Local consequences and context
The march reflects continuing local opposition to the presence of anti‑asylum protests around accommodation sites and wider concern about the tactics used by some protest groups. Campaigners framed the rally as a stand against racism and bigotry, and as an assertion that refugees and migrants are welcome in Falkirk.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Falkirk For All Unity March |
| Start point | Callendar House |
| Estimated attendance | Around 450 |
| Opposition activity | Attempts to disrupt by far‑right figures; linked to Scottish Freedom Patriots |
For local residents, the demonstration is likely to resonate with those directly affected by the ongoing dispute over asylum accommodation and with community groups seeking to counter extremist activity. Police presence and monitoring will remain a feature while tensions persist.
The turnout underlines a clear message from the marchers: that intimidation and abuse will not be accepted as legitimate political tactics in Falkirk. Organisers say they will continue to campaign peacefully while challenging what they describe as fear‑based politics.
