I was privileged to be present at Sunday's Celtic Connections presentation of Scots in the Spanish Civil War.

We were there with two dear friends, both Liverpudlian (one whose father was a distinguished Brigadista) and long settled on this side of the Border, who may well vote No in the referendum. We stood shoulder to shoulder with the entire audience to sing The Internationale and Bandiera Rossa and cry: "No pasaran".

Well, Franco's fascists, with the complicity of our politicians, did pass and it took the horrors of a world war to put them back in their box, yet they still manage to wriggle out.

I was shocked to read a fascist (or far-right) demonstration took place in Glasgow on that same day but, while the police may have had difficulty restraining the crowds who wanted to discourage them, it surely is encouraging to learn the people of Glasgow will not tolerate this foulness on their turf.

Ours is a nation where people are proud to sing of the uniting of the human race.

K M Campbell,

Bank House,

Doune.

What wisdom was behind Strathclyde Police's decision to allow the desecration of a place of personal and community tragedy in Pollokshields on Sunday ("Far-right protest brings angry scenes to south side of Glasgow", The Herald, January 21)?

The Pollokshields community, not to mention the family and friends of the victim, William McKeeney, had stated clearly and in unambiguous terms that the far-right rabble that is the Scottish Defence League was not welcome in their local community.

A small band of between five to 10 extremists was allowed to enter a community in which they have zero credibility – even more galling given that this area is Scotland's most ethnically diverse demographic. Local organisations and community representatives have worked tirelessly for years, not only to develop positive internal community relations but to engage the community with key service providers such as the police. Melville Street is not a civic space.

Danny Boyle,

31 Vennard Gardens,

Glasgow.