Latest news with #PACBI
The National
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Police Scotland accused of 'injuring 63-year-old Palestine activist'
Lindsey Murray was arrested on June 24 amid a protest against complicity with Israeli war crimes at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow. The Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC) later claimed she had been 'brought unnecessarily to the ground' and 'sustained debilitating injuries' that required hospital treatment. Activists had organised a week-long series of events in the CCA's public space to demonstrate against the board's refusal to adopt a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). READ MORE: BBC host takes issue with legal expert labelling Israel's plans 'concentration camps' However, it was shut down on the first day, with police called to remove demonstrators from the building. A Police Scotland spokesperson said at the time: 'Around 12.55pm on Tuesday, 24 June, 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.' The GGEC claimed that Murray had been subject to a 'brutal arrest and hospitalisation by Police Scotland officers'. A statement from the group alleged that 'despite being seriously injured, unable to walk, and pleading for medical help', she was placed into a police van before being taken to a station. READ MORE: Scots Language Centre plunged into crisis as board resigns over payments row It said that she had been 'deemed unable to walk by medics' and taken to hospital, where she remained for two weeks. Video of the incident on social media shows Murray laying handcuffed, half-in a police van, as she says she cannot get further in. A Police Scotland spokesperson did not address the allegations in the statement. They said only: "A complaint has been received and is being assessed." The Scottish Ambulance Service said it had no record of being involved in treating a person in those circumstances on that date.
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.'
The National
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Glasgow arts centre shut down amid pro-Palestine protest
Art Workers for Palestine Scotland had organised a week-long takeover at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow, running from Tuesday to Saturday. The event 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. READ MORE: Palestine protest targets University of Glasgow over Israel-linked investments The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in what was described as a response to 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 PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. On Tuesday afternoon, around eight police vans were seen outside the venue, as police entered the building where protesters were occupying. (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) Images show protesters sat outside the centre, blocking the entrance. (Image: NQ) Another protester could be seen wearing a badge which read "CCA Liberated Zone." (Image: NQ) More to follow.
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pro-Palestine takeover to protest Scottish arts centre policy
Organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, the event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow – running from Tuesday to Saturday – will 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. The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in what was described as a response to 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 PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. READ MORE: What happens if Palestine Action is banned under terrorism laws? A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI reveals 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. 'We are here to show the depth and breadth of solidarity with Palestine in Glasgow and beyond. Through this takeover, we centre Palestinian voices and culture while holding our institutions to account. 'Another CCA is possible and urgently necessary.' The CCA has been approached for comment. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also recently called out the Glasgow Film Theatre's (GFT) decision not to endorse BDS and PACBI. Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". Three members of the GFT board resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. READ MORE: The proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: "It will go down in history that, given the opportunity to stand with the Palestinian people following months of genocide and starvation at the hands of a colonial oppressor, the GFT chose complicity, cowardice and blatant disregard for human life." Earlier this year, front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT staged a boycott on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement, which resulted in Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 people and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, the rector of the University of Glasgow, and filmmaker Ken Loach.
The National
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Pro-Palestine takeover planned to protest Scottish arts centre policy
Organised by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, the event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow – running from Tuesday to Saturday – will 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. The takeover will be held in the public courtyard in response to 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 PACBI advocates for a boycott of Israeli academic and cultural institutions. Earlier this year, an open letter signed by more than 800 artists, workers and audiences who urged the CCA to take action to endorse PACBI and align policy with its public values, but the board has reportedly refused. READ MORE: What happens if Palestine Action is banned under terrorism laws? A spokesperson for Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'The board's decision not to endorse PACBI reveals 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. 'We are here to show the depth and breadth of solidarity with Palestine in Glasgow and beyond. Through this takeover, we centre Palestinian voices and culture while holding our institutions to account. 'Another CCA is possible and urgently necessary.' The CCA has been approached for comment. Art Workers for Palestine Scotland also recently called out the Glasgow Film Theatre's (GFT) decision not to endorse BDS and PACBI. Glasgow Film said this was in order to retain "independent decision making" and uphold its "commitment to Cinema For All". Three members of the GFT board resigned, raising concerns about the processes leading to the decision. READ MORE: The proscription of Palestine Action has frightening implications Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: "It will go down in history that, given the opportunity to stand with the Palestinian people following months of genocide and starvation at the hands of a colonial oppressor, the GFT chose complicity, cowardice and blatant disregard for human life." Earlier this year, front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT staged a boycott on handling any goods connected to the BDS movement, which resulted in Coca-Cola products no longer being served. Campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland then published an open letter to the GFT calling for the cinema to adhere to the BDS movement and endorse PACBI. The letter was signed by more than 1400 people and included the likes of Ghassan Abu-Sittah, rector of the University of Glasgow and filmmaker Ken Loach.
