Protesters blocked a busy Glasgow road for around 30 minutes on Friday evening following the arrest and court appearance of a man charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault in the Royston area. The demonstration, described by attendees as 'peaceful,' brought traffic to a standstill on Royston Road near the M8 on-slip.
Crowd Gathers and March Begins
A crowd gathered outside Royston Library before marching to Royston Road, where demonstrators blocked traffic. Police diverted vehicles while the road remained closed. Officers negotiated with protesters to move further along the road, allowing traffic to resume shortly after 7pm.
Videos and pictures shared on social media showed protesters in front of police vehicles while chanting slogans including 'Enough is enough' outside a property. Posts online described it as a 'peaceful protest' organised to express concerns about the safety of women and children in the area. One social media post read: 'The Royston community took to the streets to say enough is enough as they expressed their concerns about the safety of women and children.'
Window Smashed During Protest
However, footage from the scene appeared to show a smashed window at a property in Royston Square. The Glasgow Times reported that one unidentified person threw a brick before others attempted to access the front door of the property but were stopped by police.
Arrest and Court Appearance
The demonstration follows the arrest and charging of 40-year-old Mohamed Raouf Mezahdi in connection with an alleged sexual assault in the Royston area. He appeared in private at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, July 2, where he made no plea. Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
