PRO-PALESTINE campaigners have slammed Police Scotland’s tactics after a 63-year-old woman arrested at a Glasgow arts venue sit-in was left with injuries requiring surgery.

Art Workers for Palestine Scotland (AWPS) launched the “takeover” of Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) after the venue’s board refused to back calls to endorse the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, despite the move having the support of 95 per cent of its staff.

Plans to carry out a full programme of events “centred on resistance, learning, and artistic solidarity with Palestine” over the week were however, brought to a shuddering halt when the venue called the police, with protesters “kettled” in the CCA courtyard. Police Scotland’s only detainee had to be hospitalised. 

Witnesses of the arrest describe her having the “legs kicked from beneath her” by one officer, before being handcuffed, “dragged on the road” and “thrown” into a waiting police van.

Supporters say her calls for assistance were left unanswered for 40 minutes until, on arrival at Helen Street Police station, officers realised she could not exit the van and took her to the city’s Royal Infirmary. 

The Morning Star understands that she sustained a fractured shin and a severed tendon — injuries severe enough to not only require surgery, but also require her bail order to be issued at her hospital bed. 

In a statement, AWPS said: “Yesterday’s brutal events at CCA have torn apart the fabric of the art world. The illusion has been shattered, all trust is lost, the mask has dropped.

“As witnessed and recorded by many members of the public, during a family-friendly reading and Arabic writing lesson outside the premises, CCA called the police who violently escalated: kettling members of the public, brutally arresting an elderly woman, and unforgivably putting their hands on us. 

“Earlier, CCA’s internal security assaulted and tackled an art worker to the floor for entering the public space of the courtyard. 

“This is violent, fascist behaviour.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At about 12.55pm on June 24, we received a report of a disturbance involving a large group on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 

“Officers attended and engaged with those present. The group later dispersed.

“A 63-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection, and is expected to appear at court at a later date.”

The CCA was contacted for comment.