Police have faced accusations of "kettling" after protesters halted on part of the main route of the climate justice march held in Glasgow.
Images and video clips from the scene circling on social media show the police reportedly using controversial 'kettling' tactics to halt them from marching.
This is where large cordons of police officers contain a large group or crowd within an area.
Shouts of ‘let them march’ and ‘let them go’ could be heard at the scene.
Tense scenes on Glasgow’s St Vincent Street as police bring a halt to a section of the march. @itvnews pic.twitter.com/qYIwTybyPZ
— Philip Sime (@PhilipSime) November 6, 2021rep
At around 3:15pm protesters were seen sitting in the road surrounded by police.
In a later statement, assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie claimed that the day had “passed largely without incident”, although 21 people had been arrested.
He said that some people were contained after "conduct deteriorated" during the procession.
A group of people has deliberately stopped on the main parade route on Holland Street and St Vincent Street which is causing congestion issues. Police are engaging with them to ensure the safety of everyone and to clear the route. pic.twitter.com/sJesPhkR9P
— Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) November 6, 2021
He said: "A group of people was contained by officers after their conduct deteriorated, pyrotechnic devices were used and they brought the procession to a halt.
“The containment remained in place for a short time before being lifted as the march came to a conclusion. One person was arrested following the end of the march."
Police refused to estimate how many people were marching, but organisers the Cop26 Coalition claimed more than 100,000 people had turned out despite the weather, as an estimated 300 events were taking place worldwide.
Asad Rehman, spokesman for the Cop26 Coalition, said: “Many thousands of people took to the streets today on every continent demanding that governments move from climate inaction to climate justice.
“We won’t tolerate warm words and long-term targets any more, we want action now.”
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