Orange Order chiefs blast ‘anti-Protestant hatred' after Glasgow's women-only march ‘targeted with online abuse'
OUT OF ORDER Orange Order chiefs blast 'anti-Protestant hatred' after Glasgow's women-only march 'targeted with online abuse'
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THE Orange Order has demanded an 'immediate meeting' with the First Minister after female members were allegedly targeted by online trolls.
The organisation's ladies are said to have suffered 'emotional distress' and 'trauma' over 'deeply offensive' comments which followed a recent march.
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Around 500 ladies joined the march in Glasgow on April 27
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They wore colourful frocks and fancy hats
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But Orange Order bosses said online trolls later targeted ladies with vile abuse
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Most Worthy Grand Master Andrew Murray has called for a meeting with John Swinney
Hundreds of women in colourful frocks and fancy hats had filled the streets of Glasgow for the first large walk of the year on April 27.
But the organisation said some of them were later targeted on the internet 'for expressing their faith and culture'.
The developments have pushed Andrew Murray - the Most Worthy Grand Master - to write to the First Minister for help.
In a statement, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland hit out at the 'rise of anti-Protestant hatred across our country' and called for action.
It said: 'Members of our association have been subjected to deeply offensive online abuse—targeted solely for expressing their faith and culture.
'This level of abuse has caused serious emotional distress, with some members experiencing trauma and mental health issues as a result of the level abuse.
'No other denomination in Scotland would be expected to tolerate such hostility, and the Protestant community is no different. We will not accept this double standard in a modern Scotland.
'The level of sectarian abuse directed at the Protestant community cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.'
Our spectacular pictures showed the Ladies Orange Association of Scotland's annual church parade last month.
Around 500 members were escorted through the streets of Glasgow by Police Scotland officers, seemingly without incidents.
But there are now calls for online trolls who targeted them in the aftermath to be identified and 'brought to justice'.
Hundreds step out for women's Orange Walk through Glasgow
The loyalist organisation said: 'We call upon the Scottish Government and law enforcement agencies to take urgent action.
'The Loyal Orange Institution demands that those responsible for this online hate are identified, investigated, and brought to justice.'
The organisation said Andrew Murray had personally written to John Swinney to discuss the 'unacceptable and ongoing abuse toward our community'.
It added: 'We urge the First Minister to respond swiftly and meaningfully.'
The Scottish Government was approached for comment.
Police Scotland was approached for comment.
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