Mass protest set for Lockerbie

Feb 26 2010 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Friday

LOCKERBIE is set to be the venue of a protest with two rival groups set to descend on the town next month.

The extremist right-wing group the Scottish Defence League have announced they are planning a demo against the release of the Lockerbie Bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.

And the TUC have stepped in to state they will hold a rival protest to their presence at the same time.

John Dennis, Dumfries and Galloway, Branch Secretary of TUC, said: “Dumfries TUC is outraged that the Scottish Defence League should target Dumfries and Galloway for their latest attempt at racist intimidation.

“We are determined to oppose the racist thugs of the SDL in Lockerbie on March 27.

“We are appealing to all political, religious and community organisations in the south west and elsewhere in Scotland and England to join us in a march and rally in Lockerbie on that Saturday.

“We will not allow the deaths that incurred in the bombing to be used for propaganda in this way.”

The Scottish Defence League held protests in Edinburgh and Glasgow earlier this month.

News reached the TUC that the Scottish Defence League were planning the protest on a blog.

The Casuals United website states: “The Scottish Defence League will be holding a respectful vigil at Lockerbie on March 27th 2010. Details of coaches/transport from your regional organisers or via the Inner Circle. This is also a protest against the Traitor Kenny MacAskill who denies the SDL free speech and defended the release of the vermin responsible for the Lockerbie outrage.”

The police have been notified that both groups are planning to demonstrate.

A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said: “We are aware of the proposed event however it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”