OPPOSING protests are returning to Dumfries High Street next Saturday.
A group of Dumfries residents took to social media last Friday and declared their intention to host a ‘silent peaceful protest against illegal immigration’ at the High Street fountain from 11 am on April 26.
Organisers held similar events in August and October last year following several reported incidents involving male refugees living within the town.
This week, a spokesperson for the group said: “Now maybe Dumfries feels the need to speak out?
“Look at social media over the last few weeks. This is now happening in our town like we tried to warn you all about. We have a chance to stop this happening and allowing our voice to be heard.
“We aren’t the racists that you thought. Your concerns are the ones we have had from the start. Speaking out for the safety of our children and loved ones is not racism.”
Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway Trades Union Council have called a counter-protest supporting refugees at the Plainstanes at the same time.
Stating their intentions for Saturday, group secretary John Dennis said: “This is called in response to the “stop illegal immigration” protest called after a hysterical campaign of false allegations against our refugees.
“Poisonous baseless rumours that some of our refugees have been using mobile phones to take pictures of women and children have been spread deliberately by malicious racists on social media. Valuable police time has been wasted investigating false reports. A climate of fear has been stirred up deliberately. Dumfries is better than this!
“We need to prove that by showing solidarity with our refugees and joining the counter protest at the Plainstanes on April 26.”
