POLICE in Scotland have launched an investigation following complaints about a sign at a pro-trans rally reading ‘Behead the Turfs’.
The poster, which also featured a drawing of a guillotine, went viral on social media yesterday after appearing in images and videos of SNP politicians attending the rally, including MSP Kaukab Stewart and MPs Stewart McDonald, Alison Thewliss and Kirsten Oswald.
A few of Scotland’s extremely progressive and amiable politicians posing proudly in front of banners calling for women to be beheaded and eaten. pic.twitter.com/satQhRojbA
— JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 21, 2023
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said he had reported the sign to police, saying wearing it was “clearly a hate crime and a breach of public order”.
He added: “Unfortunately [Nicola Sturgeon]should your MP and MSP [Kirsten Oswald] and [Kaukab Stewart] really standing under a guillotine banner and it’s slogan “Behead the Turfs”? And this is meant to be ‘progressive’?’
His party colleague Jamie Halcro-Johnston said the photo was “disgraceful”.
He tweeted: “Scotland in 2023 – where SNP politicians stand smiling in front of a banner calling for violence against women. Shameful.
Chris McElheny, the general secretary of the Alba party, said: “Only SNP members of parliament come to pro-independence rallies as they do at rallies posing in front of ‘beheaded terfs’ banners.”
Their Westminster colleague Joanna Cherry said: “I’m sure my colleagues didn’t realize they were standing in front of a sign threatening violence against women and they would distance themselves from it.
“I have to appear in court again soon to testify against a transgender rights activist who threatened to kill me.”
Ms Oswald tweeted: “This is a terrifying sign and it wasn’t there when I joined the demonstration. It certainly does not reflect my views and is not language I would ever use. Violent hate speech, of any kind, is unacceptable and has no place in the peaceful movement for LGBT equality and democracy.”
Ms Stewart said: “I was unaware of these hateful signs when I attended today’s protest in support of Scottish democracy and trans rights and I strongly disagree with them. Violent hate speech is completely unacceptable and has absolutely no place in our public discourse.”
Ms Thewlis said she did not see the sign and that if she had, she would have “told the person involved how inappropriate and offensive it was and to get rid of it”.
Mr Macdonald tweeted: “The violent writing at yesterday’s rally is absolutely disgusting and condemned in no uncertain terms. I suspect it may even be illegal.
“The idiot who made it and holds it has done transgender equality and democracy protesters no favors – quite the opposite.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a report regarding a sign that was displayed during a rally in Buchanan Street, Glasgow on Saturday 21 January 2023.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a report regarding a sign that was displayed during a rally in Buchanan Street, Glasgow on Saturday 21 January 2023. Inquiries are ongoing.”
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