Black Lives Matter protester who saved far-right white man puts neo-Nazi thugs to shame – Angus Robertson

As Patrick Hutchinson’s heroic actions create a silver lining to depressing scenes of fascists on the streets in Glasgow and London, it’s clear that racism demands real action from politicians, not yet another review, writes Angus Robertson.

A group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators saved a white man who was taking part in a far-right counter-protest after he got into trouble (Picture: SWNS)

The weekend scenes of fascists, racists and football hooligans on the streets of Glasgow and London were a disgrace. Watching people give Nazi salutes and shout ‘Sieg Heil’ next to the Cenotaph was as intolerable as was the thug urinating on the police memorial to a victim of terrorism at Westminster. These extremists don’t represent the decent majority of people in England or Scotland.

What a contrast with the black protester Patrick Hutchinson who was pictured carrying an injured white far-rightist to safety. His heroic act, which was seen around the world, was one silver lining to the depressing weekend scenes.

Rather than actually dealing with the challenges for black and minority ethnic background people, the UK Government has launched yet another review, with a commission on inequality kicking the unresolved issues further down the road.

The hugely impressive London Labour MP David Lammy is right when he said: “Is this really the extent of our ambition, after all the reviews? It feels like we want figures, we want data, but we don’t want action... it was written on the back of a fag packet to assuage the BLM movement.”

Meanwhile Glasgow Labour MSP Anas Sarwar made a powerful speech last week at Holyrood highlighting the lack of people with a minority background in key positions in Scotland.

When he said this was not a party political issue; not about whether we support or oppose Scottish independence or remaining or leaving the EU, he is absolutely correct. There is so much to do and the time for action is now.

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