DISTURBING DEMO
Protesters put Humza Yousaf’s face on coffin as hundreds of anti-hate crime legislation demonstrators march on Holyrood
People demonstrated elsewhere in Scotland against the controversial new laws
ANTI-HATE law campaigners carried out a sick stunt when they put pictures of First Minister Humza Yousaf and Patrick Harvie on a coffin as part of a protest.
Around 250 people turned up at the demo outside the Scottish Parliament this afternoon to protest against the new hate crime laws which came into force today.
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Many of the group held placards that said ‘We hate the hate crime laws’ and ‘Dear SNP, inclusion doesn’t mean excluding those you disagree with’.
Several speakers addressed the crowd including, Stef Shaw, who said there is "great cause for concern" over the new legislation.
A coffin bearing a sign reading "We hate hate crime laws" was decorated with masks resembling SNP leader Humza Yousaf and co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie.
Event organiser, Niall Fraser from the Scottish Family Party, added: “It is a bit of political theatre to draw attention to the fact that this hate crime bill is hated.
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“It is unwanted and no one asked for it and we would like it repealed.“It is not just bad, it is cataclysmic for Scotland.
"It goes against Scottish enlightenment values and is a blasphemy law that is coming in the bag door.”
Mr Fraser later told the PA News Agency: "The inspiration for the coffin was that free speech has died here in Scotland.
"Today we buried it and had a funeral service."
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Other protesters held signs as they gathered outside parliament over the new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which was described as "totalitarian" and "ammunition for bigots" amid concerns of tit-for-tat reports, with one man taping his mouth closed to show his opposition.
Mark Leslie, an artist, said: "People tend to think that if you are against this you want to be abusive.
Humza Yousaf denied there had been a delay to an anti-women hate law and vowed to pass it by 2026
"I'm not political, I'm not religious, but I think this law is ammunition for bigots.
"It's freaky that records can be stored but they can't even get crime done."
Sally Wainwright, 70, from campaign group Scottish Lesbians, said she knew younger women who were afraid of losing their jobs because of having posted on social media about their desire to maintain female-only spaces.
Ms Wainwright said: "I'm a lesbian and I'm really concerned that our voices are never heard - this act will make it more difficult for us to speak. It completely interferes with freedom of speech.
What are the new hate crime laws and why are they controversial?
CONTROVERSIAL new hate crime laws will be enforced from today - but questions surrounding their application are no joke.
The legislation, introduced by First Minister Humza Yousaf when he was justice secretary three years ago, has been revised.
Scots will be urged to report people suspected of the new offence of “stirring up hatred”.
It means age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity will be viewed as “protected characteristics” alongside race.
Meanwhile, tougher sentences can be handed out when an offence is found to have been aggravated by prejudice.
The definition of ‘insulting’ is set to come under scrutiny as the public gets to grips with the rules.
And this is the area that’s caused the most confusion. A comedian is likely to insult people during their set.
Meanwhile, the net is filled with users telling inappropriate jokes and sending hate-filled messages.
Given the broad scope, critics point out cops could be pushed to breaking point. But one law expert reckons the average person doesn’t have to worry about any gags in poor taste being prosecuted.
Read more about the hate crime laws here
"I don't wish anybody any harm, I just don't want men in our space, and I could be accused of a hate crime.
In the Borders, a women’s rights campaigner tested new hate crime laws by publicly stating “There are only two sexes”.
Wearing a giant ‘Terf’ badge, Helen Bunter stood in Market Square, Melrose in the Scottish Borders and made a provocative speech on sex and gender.
The feminist told a crowd of onlookers “No one can change their sex. Sex is an immutable characteristic.”
'I'm looking forward to being arrested'
Harry Potter author JK Rowling even had a pop, saying she was "looking forward to being arrested” under the new laws.
The author is a high-profile critic of what some call "gender ideology", and is among those who claim the new laws could be used to stifle debate about transgender rights and women’s rights and clamp down on criticism of the push for gender self-ID.
In a thread on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ms Rowling listed a number of high-profile trans individuals, before adding that they “aren't women at all, but men, every last one of them” and made reference to a series of high-profile criminal cases.
Alongside a photo of trans double rapist Isla Bryson, the author wrote: "Lovely Scottish lass and convicted double rapist Isla Bryson found her true authentic female self shortly before she was due to be sentenced.
"Misgendering is hate, so respect Isla’s pronouns, please. Love the leggings!"
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She also had a pop at other individuals including trans Gaelic footballer Giulia Valentino, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, and broadcaster India Willoughby.
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The writer then appeared to dare cops to arrest her over her remarks on social media.
She added: “I'm currently out of the country, but if what I've written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”
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