Fans Against Criminalisation public demo

ILoveTheCeltic · Oct 30, 2011

The video does have sound actually, just very * crackly sound still anyway

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgiwlunmEmI[/YOUTUBE]

TAB · Oct 30, 2011

Glad I went along.

obonfanti1888 · Oct 30, 2011

looks like an excellent turn out, well done all involved

and gunt, the very idea that this demo was some sort of thing created by labour is utter nonsense.

The SNP deserve every criticism they are getting at the minute, I didn't much like them before they started down this path though I utterly despise them now.

cat123 · Oct 31, 2011

I was disgusted by the treatment of fans on Saturday and if this bill goes ahead I for one won't be going back to Celtic park. Police officers getting paid £14 an hour to video law abiding citizens watching their football team. I actually can't believe some people try and justify this intimidating behaviour by the police force.

Scarecrow · Nov 1, 2011

Glad I went and played my part. Police were a joke on the walk to the ground and inside.

Aldobaldo · Nov 1, 2011

I was there too. Was on the edges of the crowd and couldn`t tell the numbers but when the crowd dispanded I was delighted with the number of people. Not only youngsters but the older generation of fans as well. A wee word for the * of a council litter picker with the abuse he shouted, thankfully everyone was to busy with the cause at hand.

Another proud occassion as a Celtic fan and despite the alleged political slant, not an MSP from any party was present.

Scarecrow · Nov 1, 2011

Aye heard that pish, it was anti-legislation not a dig or support for other parties!

Heard roughly 2000. Fans walking through Glasgow were a credit to the club too.

Jhaf · Nov 2, 2011

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t-ZnSeTg1E[/YOUTUBE]

Vid i took at the march

Dáibhí · Nov 4, 2011

The SNP seem determined to push through this so-called anti-sectarian bill;

Opposition attempts to derail the Scottish Government’s bid to stamp out football-related sectarianism have failed.

All four of Holyrood’s opposition parties and Independent MSP Margo MacDonald claimed the SNP Government was using its majority to force through a “rushed, flawed piece of legislation” which risked doing more harm than good.

However, Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said the Scottish people wanted a solution to a problem most are “sick to the back teeth of”.
The SNP majority at Holyrood ensured the flagship Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill would continue its parliamentary progress.

Opponents said all political parties wanted to root out sectarianism but claimed the SNP Government had failed to make the case for the introduction of new offences which could lead to five-year jail terms and bans from football grounds.

They said concerns had been raised about the Bill by the Law Society of Scotland, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Scottish Justices Association, anti-sectarianism organisations, football supporters groups, religious organisations and children’s charities and “their powerful voices deserve to be listened to”.

A joint statement added: “We have come together to send the strongest possible message to the SNP Government to stop, take a breath and talk to other parties, to the clubs, and to the many others concerned about these proposals rather than using their majority to force through this flawed legislation.

“Our fear is that the Government’s response is driven by a desire to be seen to be doing something, not by any evidence this plan would actually work.”
The opposition MSPs said a more effective response would include greater use of existing laws, working with football authorities and promoting positive interventions in communities and the education system.

The debate – based on the Holyrood Justice Committee report on the Bill – was introduced by its convener Christine Grahame. She said that while there had been division on its merits, members were united on the need for action and there was a greater sense of urgency on the part of the football authorities and clubs.
She said: “I don’t think anyone in this chamber wants the game to be conducted in what one witness described as a Mary Poppins atmosphere, so sanitised as to be sterile of emotion or passion.

“While the forces of law enforcement have a key role to play in ridding our game of bigotry, so to do the clubs and the footballing authorities.”

Labour spokesman James Kelly claimed events over the summer, including convictions for sectarian singing and inappropriate comments on social networking site Facebook, demonstrated the proper use of existing laws.
He said: “It begs the question why was this legislation needed when the current legislation was being used so effectively?”

Tory spokesman David McLetchie said: “We should be wary of legislation which, in the broadest sense, impinges on our legal liberty to speak freely and voice opinions, even when they may be robustly or sometimes even coarsely expressed.”

Labour’s Graeme Pearson, a former match commander with Strathclyde Police, wanted progress on the Bill held for a year to give football authorities responsibility for “bringing good conduct to the clubs”. He said: “Ensure sporting authorities deal with sectarian behaviour by withdrawing season tickets, using closed turnstiles for matches or, like Turkey, having only women and children as spectators. Use fines and, worst of all, deduct points.”

Ms Cunningham claimed there had been “virtually nothing constructive” said by the opposition in the debate. She claimed existing law was not adequate and with further stages of the Bill still to come there was scope for Parliament to shape legislation to create “a Scotland we all want”.
Click to expand...

Absolutely unbelievable. I've highlighted some of the organisations that have spoken out against this bill, yet the Government see fit to completely ignore all advice and simply continue on.

Fans Against Criminalisation public demo

Jhaf Gold Member Gold Member