Frankie 8,151 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 On September 27th 2011, The Union Bears and The Blue Order held a protest at Ibrox Stadium in the opening ten minutes of the match against against Kilmarnock. The protest consisted of anti-SNP chanting and the unfurling of 3 banners namely; "Undefinable Laws Against Supporters" "SNP Weak On Criminals - Tough on Fans" "Football Fans Not Criminals" The protest was not challenged by the police and passed peacefully, with other sections of the Rangers support showing unity with the message of the protest. For clarity, there are several reasons why we feel we must make a stand upon this issue. We are protesting against the implementation on the 'Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill' as proposed by the current SNP government. This bill discriminates against football fans, singling out a demographic of the population for specific laws. The implementation of the bill means that almost any football supporter, whether you be vocal in support of your team or not, could be subject to arrest, without significant police evidence of any actual offence caused. The criminalisation of football supporters threatens the game which we all love. Supporters attending a football match will now be met with fear of arrest, losing your job and being named in newspapers despite having not had your court case heard. The Union Bears and The Blue Order would like to make it clear we are against Sectarianism and Racism in all forms. We feel current legislation covers offences of these matters and further legislation is not necessary nor required. We feel this action is being used for political gain, and being supported by police officers in order to preserve their level of responsibility and therefore preserve their level of funding in what is economically challenging times. We have all seen that our supporters are subject to unnecessary harassment from police officers and we have and will continue to work with the Rangers Supporters working group on resolving these matters. In a completely separate incident tonight, around 100 supporters in the BF1 section walked out in protest at the heavy handed stewarding and policing which took place within the section at the match. The groups have issued a complaint to the police and the club and this will be dealt with in due course. We would like to thank the rest of the Rangers support for the support shown towards the group regarding this matter. Astonishingly the whole reason for the stewards getting involved was due to a young supporter in the section having a water bottle in the ground. One which he had cleared with another steward before entering and was told it wouldn't be a problem. Among the incidents was also the situation where mounted Police outside the stadium charged at young supporters including one who was visibly walking with aid of crutches. He was told by the mounted officers to run. We will be taking further protest action in forthcoming matches, and would urge you all to stand with us as we fight the injustice against the supporters of Rangers Football Club. We will issue another statement prior to the game on Saturday, which will detail how we wish to have your support. Supporting Your Team Is not a Crime. No Surrender The Union Bears and The Blue Order 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,416 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Good statement. Well done TBO/UB,keep up the good work. Now hopefuly we will get a statement from Rangers FC. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juancornetto 1 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Not sure the "No Surrender" is necessary at the end of a serious and relevant statement, totally undermines the message and sentiment contained within. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,151 Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 Good statement. Well done TBO/UB,keep up the good work. Now hopefuly we will get a statement from Rangers FC. I'd imagine the working group have already contacted the club hierarchy this morning but I've also written to them asking them to defend their supporters against such unreasonable policing/stewarding. I'd recommend other fans do the same. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,329 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 (edited) I'd imagine the working group have already contacted the club hierarchy this morning It doesn't help if the main guy responsible for this area in the club is apparently on holiday and wasn't at the match. Edited September 28, 2011 by Bluedell 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,151 Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 Not sure the "No Surrender" is necessary at the end of a serious and relevant statement, totally undermines the message and sentiment contained within. A fair point but I'd consider it a defiant and worthy description of how many fans feel about this new legislation and why our fans are continually singled out for less than special treatment. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,151 Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 It doesn't help if the main guy responsible for this area in the club is on holiday and wasn't at the match. I believe Ms Munro is also on holiday so I had to detail my concerns to one of her deputies. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Great statement heard a lot of pish today about what happened last night finally cleared up keep up the good work guys. No Surrender 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little General 80 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I hope this gets sorted out quickly.we don't want another repeat on Saturday. I hope Rangers and G4S do the sensible thing and don't put the steward in question anywhere near the Broamloan front. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewarty 1,876 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I was in the top tier of the Main Stand looking down on the BF and could see the steward/police removing a couple of lads. Has there been any official statement on what caused them to take such heavy handed action? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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