The road closures for COP26 have already been announced in the run-up to the arrival of the thousands of delegates and world leaders who will arrive in Glasgow later this month in order to forge key agreements about how to move forward globally towards net zero.
From October 10, and increasing over the weeks leading up to the start of the conference on October 31 and through to its end in November, the city will see key routes blocked off. But these are not the only impacts we are likely to see on movement within the city. Throughout the period Glasgow is destined to become a place of protest and a key question is where climate activists will protest and how that will impact on the city.
Whether you are a concerned citizen who wants to get involved, or someone who wants to avoid the demos, it’s worth knowing about them.
Is there a key day of protest?
Yes, Saturday, November 6 has been designated the Global Day For Climate Justice around COP26, and the COP26 Coalition, which includes 100 organisations, are expecting 100,000 protesters to arrive in Glasgow. They are inviting members of the public to join them. Marchers will gather at Kelvingrove Park at noon before proceeding to Glasgow Green for 3pm.
Where are all the protesters coming from?
Some are coming from across Scotland either by train or on planned buses. But others are coming from much further afield in the UK and other countries. A significant number are arriving by foot. One group of activists is planning to walk to the demo from Dunbar, but there are others who will have walked all the way from Cornwall, and still others who plan to arrive after walking more than 2000km from the city of Vadstena in Sweden on what’s been called the Pilgrim’s Walk For The Future.
Some will join the protest by bike, as cyclists from Glasgow and further afield converge in Pedal on COP26.
READ MORE: Glasgow COP26 road closures and traffic warnings confirmed ahead of climate summit
Are there likely to be other protests?
Yes, undoubtedly. Extinction Rebellion has announced on its website: “We will support disruptive action in Glasgow as far as possible without over-committing on resources. We are assessing our strategic focus and planning for the most efficient and effective use of those resources.”
In a Radio Clyde interview earlier this week, one XR activist said: “As usual, we’re going to be doing some of the things that we’re famous for – we will be doing targeted disruption.”
On a more gentle note, an Interfaith COP26 vigil is planned on October 31, the first day of the conference.
Has Scotland got enough police to deal with all this?
The global event is expected to be policed by about 10,000 officers a day and specialist public order training has been given to thousands, making it the biggest police operation Scotland has seen.
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