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The Herald Scotland
04-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Letting libraries crumble is attacking the vulnerable
Libraries have always been more than shelves and silence. They're vital spaces for the whole community and one of the few places where you're not expected to buy a coffee just to sit down. In today's digital world, they're a lifeline for those who can't afford broadband or don't have access to a printer. We talk about levelling up, tackling isolation, improving literacy, supporting mental health – libraries do all of that and more with far too little credit. It's not just short-sighted to let them crumble; it's attacking the vulnerable. If we're serious about building a fairer, more equal Scotland, we need to stop treating libraries like optional extras. They are – and always have been – lifelines. Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Tayport. Read more letters Definition of a hate crime To be a hate crime in Scotland, something must first be a crime. Then, for any crime, if it is proven in court that the motive was prejudice on grounds such as race, religion or sexual orientation, the crime is recorded as a hate crime. The motive can then be taken into account by the sheriff in deciding an appropriate sentence. That's been the law for 15 years and more. Tearing down the street decorations for a parade is likely to be the crime of vandalism. In the case of the Arran Pride march ("A hate crime on Arran? No, just a sign of where we are", Mark Smith, The Herald, June 2), the fact that it was an LGBTI+ event and was targeted in that way suggests that it may in fact have been a prejudice-motivated crime. In that case it's right that the police look into that. Whether it ends up recorded as a crime, and potentially prejudice-motivated, depends on what evidence there is. Mark Smith suggests that the perpetrator may have been a gay person who doesn't like the rainbow flag. Hypothetical, dare I say imaginary, based only on his own views about trans people it seems, and frankly a great example of victim-blaming. Disliking what a flag represents suggests more than a dislike of the colours or design, it suggests disliking the inclusion of those that the flag represents – the wide and diverse LGB+ community alongside the people of colour who founded the LGBTI+ movement, those lost within the AIDS crisis and of course, trans people. It's hardly surprising that the police might consider this flag being torn down to have been motivated by prejudice and hate. The Equality Network's Scottish Trans team were at Arran Pride, and we're happy to report that despite the vandalism the night before, everyone had a really great time with locals – celebrating everyone's diversity and calling for a better Scotland for everyone. Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO, Equality Network, Edinburgh. Glasgow's transport shame I fully agree with Stuart Neville (Letters, June 3) who comments on the fact that Subway travel in Glasgow is a difficult and confusing experience if you are not familiar with all the stations on its circular route, due mainly to the lack of any visual indication of which station the train is approaching, in spite of over £28 million spent on its upgrade. As Mr Neville says there are the occasional spoken announcements, some of which are understandable and some not. I am also somewhat puzzled as to why after this lengthy and expensive revamp the service frequency is less than in the days of the previous "Clockwork Orange" system. Another obvious drawback is the fact that the service stops operating at 6pm on a Sunday, something that was previously blamed on the need for extra maintenance to keep ageing rolling stock and infrastructure working. Sadly the Subway seems to be like the rest of our city's disjointed and expensive public transport in that passengers come, by some distance, a poor second to what suits the various operators in Glasgow. The city centre is no longer the thriving and busy place it once was as retail, hospitality, theatres and music venues suffer from the lack of footfall. Surely it is obvious that easy-to-use and affordable public transport is a must to help Glasgow get back to being the city it once was. William Gold, Glasgow. A train on the revamped Glasgow Underground (Image: SPT) Educating Nigel AJ Clarence (Letters, June 2) remarks on Nigel Farage's likeness to one Joe E Brown. As one of your older readers, I have always thought Mr Farage unnervingly like 1950s ventriloquist dummy Archie Andrews, in oh so many ways. Rosemary Parker, Troon. Memories of Canada scheme In the "100 years ago" section today (The Herald, June 3) mention is made of a scheme for young boys to go to Canada. My mother's brother was sent to Canada aged 16 with £2 in his pocket in 1929 under this scheme. It was run by the British Immigration and Colonisation Association of Canada (BICA). It would be considered very controversial nowadays as its slogan was "Keep Canada British". They had an office in Bath Street, Glasgow. Boys aged 14 to 18 were recruited to work as farm hands for 10 shillings a week with full board. Boys who went out under this scheme and who saved £100 by the age of 21 would receive a loan of £100 from the Canadian Government to set up their own farm. My uncle returned to Glasgow in 1931 having completed his first three years. He returned under the scheme in late 1931. However the coldest weather on record hit East Ontario in late December 1933 and my grandmother paid for his return home. He spoke about his time in Canada often. It was not easy for many of the young farm labourers. Some were badly treated and lived in wooden shacks. There was very little supervision of essentially a fairly wild bunch of teenage lads from modest backgrounds. He was aware of one lad who had not been paid, was molested by the farmer, and stole food. Then he found himself in prison and was deported. However my relative struck lucky and was well treated. Eric Flack, Glasgow.
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Scotsman
31-05-2025
- Scotsman
Police probe hate crime as Pride flags removed ahead of island parade
The flags were removed in the early hours of this morning ahead of today's Arran Pride. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Police are investigating a hate crime on the Isle of Arran after Pride flags were removed ahead of a parade today (Saturday). The flags were taken down from Main Street, Brodick, between 2am and 7am this morning. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to social media posts, the flags were later found dumped on the beach. Sgt Clare Neilson, from Arran Police Office, urged anyone with information about the removal of the flags to come forward. She added: "We are taking this very seriously and are following positive lines of inquiry."
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Hate crime probe launched after pride decorations removed in Scots town
Cops are urging anyone with information to get in touch COPS have launched a hate crime probe after yobs ripped down Gay Pride decorations. Officers were made aware that overnight rainbow coloured LGBT flags had been removed on the Isle of Arran. Advertisement 1 Isle of Arran cops are hunting down yobs who 'commited a hate crime' Credit: Alamy One furious local said: "It's an absolute disgrace and so disrespectful, I hope they catch the people who are responsible." Police are urging anyone with information to get in touch. Sergeant Clare Neilson, Arran Police Office, said: "We are taking this very seriously and are following positive lines of enquiry. "If anyone has any information or saw people acting suspiciously, get in touch. Advertisement "Anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage should check to see if they captured anything." The Pride march kicks off from the Brodick Port Carpark and boasts a string of activities. Revellers can enjoy food, drink and live music, plus a ceilidh and other local activities. Michael Gettins, Chair of Arran Pride, said : "[Last year] was so fantastic that the Committee decided to do it all again. Advertisement "This year we will have even more noise, even more colour and much, much more fun. "We look forward to welcoming family, friends and our allies to celebrate again with us." Elsewhere cops have launched a mystery death probe after human remains were discovered. Officers were summoned this morning to Motherwell, Lanarkshire following reports of a human corpse. Advertisement Cops are urging members of the public to avoid the scene as they comb the area for clues. The town's Calder Road area has been locked down and a police presence will be visible. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The death is being treated as unexplained and extensive enquiries are ongoing."
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Police hate crime probe after Arran Pride flags removed
Police are investigating the removal of Pride decorations from a street in Arran as a hate crime. Officers on the island launched a probe after flags were pulled down from Main Street in Brodick between 02:00 and 07:00, ahead of the Arran Pride event. Reports on social media said some of the flags had been torn from their posts and later found dumped on the beach. Organisers of the event said they had been made aware that decorations had been removed by "an unknown group". The Pride parade went ahead as planned on Saturday afternoon, finishing at about 13:00. Sgt Clare Neilson, from Arran Police Office, appealed for anyone with information on the incident to come forward. She added: "We are taking this very seriously and are following positive lines of inquiry." Police Scotland
BBC News
31-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Police probe hate crime over removal of pride flags on Arran
Police are investigating the removal of Pride decorations from a street in Arran as a hate on the island launched a probe after flags were pulled down from Main Street in Brodick between 02:00 and 07:00, ahead of the Arran Pride event. Reports on social media said some of the flags had been torn from their posts and later found dumped on the of the event said they had been made aware that decorations had been removed by "an unknown group". The Pride parade went ahead as planned on Saturday afternoon, finishing at about 13: Clare Neilson, from Arran Police Office, appealed for anyone with information on the incident to come added: "We are taking this very seriously and are following positive lines of inquiry."
