The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland strongly condemn the “Hate” speech given by the leader of Call it Out, Jeanette Findlay on Saturday in George Square.
The speech by Professor Jeanette Findlay, Professor of Economics at the Adam Smith Business School at Glasgow University, is a prime example of hate speech directed towards the Protestant community. Such rhetoric is harmful and divisive, and it has no place in our society. We must strive to foster a community built on mutual respect and understanding, where all individuals and groups feel safe and valued.
Glaringly, for far too long, the poison of anti-Protestantism in our society has been swept under the carpet by successive Scottish Governments, and it seems as if at times it is indeed Scottish Government policy to do so.
The Orange Order is not, of course, either a race or a religion, yet the terminology in which our members are systematically abused would see the perpetrators arrested and imprisoned should they choose to use similar terms for any other section of society. This is often masked under the guise of a ‘political’ defence; however, the nature of the abuse and its vehemence is basically indistinguishable from racism.
Regrettably in Scotland offenders are allowed to get away with these reprehensible actions irrespective of the psychological and emotional trauma this impacts on our members and their families. Professor Jeanette Findlay is one such example of this.
The Hate That Dare Not Speak Its Name carries on relentless. It is high time that this was addressed. Grand Lodge have written to official departments within the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and other relative organisations expressing our concern over Professor Findlay’s speech and seeking action.
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