Press Release re. Strathclyde Police

[chilledbear 16]

Hope it's ok posting this.

 

Date: 21st January 2009

 

Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

 

Organisation: Vanguard Bears

 

INVESTIGATION OF STRATHCLYDE POLICE

 

Strathclyde Police are currently being investigated by the Police Professional Standards Department over claims that they are discriminating against and displaying political intolerance towards British Citizens resident in Scotland.

 

The investigation is taking place following complaints raised by Rangers fans enraged by a threatening message from Strathclyde Police being shown on media screens at Ibrox Stadium prior to the Co-operative Insurance Cup tie between Rangers and Hamilton Academicals on the 28th October 2008.

 

The message read as follows:

 

"The club, after consultation with Strathclyde Police, have to advise supporters that the singing of 'The Famine Song' may result in those responsible being arrested".

 

A spokesman for Vanguard Bears (a Rangers supporter's organisation) would offer the following comments:

 

"We believe that Strathclyde Police were reacting to ill-informed antagonists within the Scottish society and Scottish Parliament claiming the chant is both sectarian and racist in a blatant attempt at furthering their own anti-British agenda".

 

"The chant, which contains only 4 lines, is used by Rangers fans to mock an element of Scottish society who prefer to consider themselves Irish, who openly support anti-British terrorist organisations that have been outlawed in the UK and who wish to assist in the downfall of a United Kingdom . The song has no religious undertones whatsoever and is not mocking anyone who actually died in the Irish famine. It asks questions of those who state that they wish they were back in Ireland , but fail to return despite being free to go".

 

"Despite repeated requests, Strathclyde Police has not been able to confirm what crime would be taking place or what charge would be brought against individuals who are heard to be making this political statement, yet they seem to think they can still threaten people with arrest. Unfortunately we now seem to be living in a society where British citizens are treated as 2nd rate within their own country, whereas those who openly attempt to undermine and indeed express hate for British society and the British way of life are allowed to do so without reproach. There are supposed to be anti terrorist laws in place to deal with these people, why aren't they being used?"

 

"Rangers fans are being labelled sectarian bigots for being pro-British and patriotic to the country in which they live. Surely logic dictates that those making anti-British statements are also sectarian bigots? We have yet to see threatening messages warning Celtic fans for singing their disgusting songs in support of the IRA. Where are the threatening messages against Scotland fans for singing 'Flower of Scotland' which contains lines that could be perceived as anti-English or for booing our national anthem 'God Save The Queen'?

 

"In this instance, it is irrelevant whether the 'Famine Chant' is deemed sectarian, racist or not. What we are complaining about is the fact that action is being taken against one body of people because of their political beliefs whilst everyone else is free to say and indeed sing what they please without fear of retribution. Until either Strathclyde Police make a public apology to those they have discriminated against or take similar actions against other clubs and their supporters, their action to date cannot be viewed as anything else other than discrimination and a violation of the Human Rights Act 1998".

 

"An online petition was set up on the 29th December 2009 and in 3 weeks it has generated 893 signatures of support to date. The petition can be viewed via the following link: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/apol...yde-police.html

 

ââ?¬Å?Mr. Kenny MacAskill MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Justice) and Fergus Ewing (Minister for Community Safety) have both been asked to intervene and ensure that Strathclyde Police carry out their duties within the law and display parity at all timesââ?¬Â.

 

VANGUARD BEARS

 

DEFENDING OUR TRADITIONS

 

Link to website here: http://www.vanguardbears.com/index.html

[Super_Ally 0]

Good to see that perhaps the rebel influence in Scotland can be challenged.

 

IF anything positive comes of this perhaps the republican, catholic crusaders will not be able to continue exerting their own bigoted influences unabated.

[Big Spliff 0]

be interesting to see how this plays out - everybody has dodged responsibility for it so far. Well done VB's

[Zappa 0]

"An online petition was set up on the 29th December 2009 and in 3 weeks it has generated 893 signatures of support to date. The petition can be viewed via the following link: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/apol...yde-police.html

 

The link to the petition isn't working mate. Got another?

[craig 5,199]

Have the PPSD acknowledged that they are investigating ? And if so is this a proper investigation or one simply out of courtesy ? I didn't see anything in the OP which made reference to the PPSD other than that it actually was investigating.

 

Just curious.

[Wija 0]

If you look at there answer they do not state in any way that they ARE investigating but have advised only.

 

The wording says it all, sweep it under the carpet etc etc.

 

And the link does not work anymore... it has been removed.

[Zappa 0]

And the link does not work anymore... it has been removed.

Why does that not surprise me...

[chilledbear 16]

Sorry lads just noticed, don't know what has happened.

[Frankie 8,552]

Looking forward to hearing more about this...

[maineflyer 0]

I watched this develop over the last few weeks. The person involved has been very determined and very shrewd in guiding this to a conclusion, despite every attempt by Strathclyde police to weasel out of their responsibilities. I have the most profound admiration for the way this particular campaign has been waged and it shows us all what can be achieved by motivated bears. Well done Vanguardbears, exceptional effort.