Win is victory for democracy and civic rights

A pro-Palestine activist has won his fight to have a Glasgow city centre ban revoked.

- EDEL KENEALY

Sean Clerkin was issued the ban two weeks ago after being accused of supporting a proscribed organisation, Palestine Action, at a protest in Glasgow.

He was released from police custody pending a court hearing on October 7 and was ordered not to enter an exclusion zone around the city centre.

The 64-year-old, who challenged the ban at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week, said his win was a “victory for democracy”.

The Barrhead man told the Express: “This a victory for our civic and political rights, freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of assembly.

“We are supposed to live in a liberal democracy but it will only remain so if people are permitted to engage in legal protest.”

Sean was arrested under the Terrorism Act after taking part in a demonstration at Nelson Mandela Place in the city.