A MARCH for peace travelled through Glasgow during Cop26 today, demanding an end to the hostile environment and the arms trade. 

The demonstration, led by activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) and XR Peace, travelled from the Home Office to BAE Systems to highlight the links between the climate crisis, Britain’s racist immigration policies and the arms trade — and in solidarity with climate and war refugees.

The event featured speakers from the Faslane Peace Camp, CND, and participants from the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. 

XR said that Britain’s military-industrial sector annually emits more greenhouse gases than 60 individual countries — such as Uganda, which has a population of 45 million people — while poorer countries suffer a huge injustice in climate and conflict. 

Douglas Renshaw, of XR Glasgow, said: “Our governments have allowed spending on arms to outstrip spending on climate solutions.

“They’ve created a brutal world where many face conflict over ravaged resources. Their gross negligence is allowing climate chaos to create more war.

“Climate chaos will increase the risk of conflict, social instability and fighting over resources. Climate chaos creates conflict while arms companies and their shareholders benefit.”

The march came after five activists were arrested by police in Glasgow following a demonstration on Wednesday night. 

XR’s protest on Wednesday was against corporate “greenwashing” and included demonstrations outside the SSE and JP Morgan offices.

The group said that police action raised “serious questions about civil liberties, right to protest, and human dignity.”

Today activists dressed as giant Pikachus — the popular Pokemon character — took to the streets of the city. 

And a group called No Coal Japan held up a banner on the opposite bank of the Clyde saying: “Japan, time to end coal.”