MORE than 1000 people turned out for an anti-racism march and rally in order to send a message that refugees are welcome in Scotland.

The annual St Andrew's Day march, organised by the STUC, was attended by more than 1,000 demonstrators who marched from Glasgow Green through the streets of the city centre, despite pouring rain, with banners bearing messages such as ‘Refugees welcome’ and ‘Love Glasgow, Hate Racism’.

A rally was also held at Glasgow Film Theatre, where refugees who have made their home in Scotland spoke about their experiences.

The speakers included Hikmat Adal, a financial analyst from Damascus, Syria, who has lived in Glasgow for five years. He came to Scotland to complete a masters degree but was unable to return to his home country after the war broke out.

He said: “It is heartbreaking to see more than a third of the Syrian population are now refugees.

“I am really proud that Glasgow was the first city in the UK to host Syrian refugees, it makes me proud to be living here.”

Mulugeta Asgedom was granted refugee status in Scotland in 2007 after fleeing the “humanitarian catastrophe” of Eritrea and now works as a community development co-ordinator with a charity.

A United Nations report recently found “systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations” are being committed in Eritrea under the authority of the government.

He said: “I was in the army - which means open ended, compulsory, military conscription. If you say a single word against the regime, the next day you are in an underground cell.

“Do not be surprised when you see Eritreans risking their lives in the Mediterranean Sea - it is simply there is no hope for them and they are desperate to find a place of safety and a place of peace, like here.

“I am lucky – I am working and living in peace, and hope I am giving a little back to the country that gave me everything.”

Among those taking part in the march was Michelle, from Glasgow, who declined to give her last name. She said: “I think it really important to support the march this year in light of the refugee crisis.

“It also seems racism in Scotland has been turned up a gear, which really worries me – my partner is Asian and my son is mixed-race.

“Not that long ago our extended family was walking to a restaurant right next to where we live and guys started shouting at us. They were shouting 'where do you think this mob are from, Outer Mongolia?'. It happens frequently in the street.”

Several members of United Glasgow FC, a football team which brings together asylum seekers, refugees and other marginalised communities, were at the march.

Founder and chairman Alan White said: “Scotland is not immune from racism and Islamophobia. It is really important there is a constant attempt to challenge racist attitudes, not just when something bad happens.”

Speaking ahead of the event, Grahame Smith, STUC general secretary, said: “With a humanitarian tragedy unfolding, it seems appropriate to use the annual anti-racist St Andrew’s Day march and rally to send a clear message that Scotland welcomes refugees and that we are ready to provide space in our country for all those who need it.”