Latest news with #CulturalBoycottofIsrael

The National
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow was taken over by campaigners from Art Workers for Palestine Scotland on Tuesday. People could be seen sat outside the building blocking the entrance, while traffic was temporarily unable to pass through the area. (Image: NQ) Police confirmed a 63-year-old woman had been arrested, while the details of other participants were taken down by officers as they left the scene. The group had planned to takeover the building from Tuesday until Saturday in protest over the CCA board's recent refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The sit-in was set to feature events, workshops and screenings that showcase Palestinian art and culture and interrogate "the complicity of Scottish cultural institutions" in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. On Wednesday, however, the CCA said it would be temporarily closing for the rest of the week, citing "recent events and ongoing conversations" involving the centre. READ MORE: UK Culture Secretary: BBC should not show Kneecap's Glastonbury set In a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday, the CCA said: "In light of recent events and ongoing conversations involving the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), we've made the decision to keep the building closed to the public for the remainder of this week. "This is not a decision we take lightly, but we recognise the need to pause. The temporary closure will allow us to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and partners, and to create space for reflection. "We understand the strength of feeling being expressed by our community, and we remain committed to engaging with this moment thoughtfully. "We will be sharing further updates in the coming days. Thank you for your support, and for your patience." Following Tuesday's protest, police confirmed to The National that a criminal investigation was underway linked to licencing laws.


Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Palestine protestors took over CCA in Glasgow city centre
The action prompted a huge police response, with three police buses, four vans, and a patrol car deployed to the scene. Officers were observed both inside the CCA building and stationed outside on the street. Police inside the CCA (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: LIVE: Huge police presence in city centre as activists stage takeover It is understood that a group of activists occupied the interior of the CCA, while crowds gathered in support outside. Protesters said they intended to transform the venue's public courtyard into 'a liberated zone of resistance, learning, and artistic solidarity with Palestine.' According to the group, the demonstration was sparked by the CCA board's refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI, and now the revelation of private hires linked to the Israeli arms trade, reveal a disturbing trend of institutional complicity. "We cannot stand by as our cultural spaces are used to sanitise genocide. This takeover is a community-led act of transformation reclaiming CCA as a space of justice, resistance and Palestinian cultural life.' The CCA has been approached for comment. READ MORE: Rangers fan who threw coin at Celtic player during Old Firm sentenced As the demonstration progressed, chants from the crowd grew louder, with repeated calls of 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' At around 2.30pm, the activists began to leave the building to loud applause and continued chants from supporters. Following their exit, demonstrators turned their attention to the police officers guarding the entrance, shouting phrases such as 'Who do you protect, who do you serve?', 'Quit your job,' and 'Pigs aren't workers, get a real job.' (Image: Newsquest) One protester addressed the crowd, stating: "If we give the CCA one inch to let fascism and zionism into our spaces, all spaces in our city will be taken over by fascists and zionists. "We need to continue our programme of the liberated zone, and we will make an announcement today. We will not back down, shame on CCA." The group then shifted their demonstration from the side of the building to its front entrance on Sauchiehall Street. Demonstrators moved to the front of the building (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Woman, 63, arrested after protesters gather at Glasgow venue The Glasgow Times understands that one arrest was made during the protest. A 63-year-old woman was arrested following a "disturbance" reported in the city centre. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 12.55pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, we received a report of a disturbance involving a large group on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 'One woman, aged 63, has been arrested in connection. 'Officers remain at the scene and are engaging with those present.'