A delivery driver has told the BBC he is now too afraid to leave his home or return to work after being subjected to racist abuse and having a traffic cone thrown at him. Muhammad Jawad Yaqoob was attacked during a large-scale anti-immigration demonstration in Glasgow on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Yaqoob, 31, had just collected an order from the Palm Tree Kitchen on Bridge Street when demonstrators passed by, chanting. He reported that a man shouted racial abuse at him before someone attempted to hit him with a traffic cone. A video of the incident has been circulating on social media.
Police Scotland confirmed they are investigating the incident. The force also stated that 15 arrests have been made for other instances of disorder on Saturday, where individuals reportedly targeted people based on the colour of their skin. Police have warned that those involved in violence will be brought to justice.
Mr Yaqoob, who moved to Glasgow from Pakistan, said he has mostly found Scotland welcoming but described his weekend experience as "not been welcoming at all." He expressed fear of the incident happening again and anxiety about returning to work.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray condemned the actions seen over the weekend, stating that those intent on disorder and violence are to blame. Labour MP for Glasgow South West, Dr Zubir Ahmed, has requested an urgent meeting with the Justice Secretary to discuss strengthening community safety.