Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob, 31, was filmed being hit with a traffic cone and racially abused during an anti-immigration demonstration in Glasgow. He is urging other victims to “raise their voices” against the far right.
Yaqoob spoke as union chiefs said their members across Scotland are experiencing a “terrifying surge” in racist violence and threats. Incidents include the recent stabbing of a food delivery rider and an attack on a taxi driver at a petrol station.
Attack and aftermath
Yaqoob, a former civil engineer from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, moved to Scotland with his student wife three years ago. He said he is too afraid to return to work and has been left penniless almost three weeks after the attack, which followed a major protest at Glasgow Green on July 25.
He was working as an Uber Eats driver when he picked up an order from the Palm Tree Kitchen on Bridge Street. Dozens of demonstrators passed by chanting “Get them out”. Video showed young men shouting abuse before a cone was hurled at him; cheers are heard as he runs into a restaurant.
Fear and isolation
Yaqoob said he waited over an hour for police and gave a statement, but when he went home he saw the video on social media. It had spread to his home country, and many people called him asking why he was running in Scotland. He said he was “very disturbed” because it was not his fault.
He has not been able to return to work, as his job goes door to door. He has applied for a home care job. He said: “Since this happened I have not earned one penny. People should understand we’re not illegal immigrants.”
Union campaign
A 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident and pled not guilty to two charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The GMB launched its No Excuse for Abuse campaign to highlight threats to members, wanting police to investigate incidents as hate crimes and councils to strengthen licensing safeguards.
GMB organiser Paul McLaughlin said: “I’ve stayed in Scotland all my life and I’ve never seen it so racist and so dangerous. This is a fascist street movement and it’s growing by the day.” He said members have reported an upsurge in racist incidents, and added: “It’s my fear that some poor rider is going to go to work and not return home safe.”
Police Scotland have vowed to tackle racist thugs, with Chief Superintendent Emma Croft warning those involved in disorder at the Glasgow Green protest to “expect a knock on their door” amid the major investigation.
