TRADE unionists and peace and community activists came together in Glasgow on Wednesday night to defend the right to protest.

The packed Glasgow Trades Union Council (GTUC)  public meeting heard from a range of speakers, all united in their condemnation of the Labour government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action.

Linsay Taylor of Muslim Engagement and Development told the meeting: “To live as a Muslim in the UK is to know about anti-terrorist legislation, to live with being a target.

“We know Starmer is wrong, we know the government is wrong, and we need to set aside our differences on the left to stand together against it.”

Scottish CND’s Isobel Lindsey reminded comrades: “Policing is devolved, and interpretation of the law rests in Scotland.

“The Scottish government can intervene here.”

In an emphatic defence of the right to protest, RMT’s Scotland organiser Gordon Martin said: “I don’t regard it as a right — it’s a duty!

“Who do you think will be next? They’ll target workers resisting being poor.

“It’s time to wake up. I don’t want to be part of the generation that handed over inferior rights to our kids.”