Extreme rock band Bound for Glory reported to have cancelled gig scheduled for this weekend after a public outcry
A neo-nazi rock band have cancelled a gig in Scotland after campaigners and politicians demanded the UK government ban them from entering the UK.
Americans, Bound for Glory, described as the “world’s leading white power band”, had been due to play in either Edinburgh or Falkirk on 22 October but it’s understood they have been forced to shelve their plans after a public outcry.
Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate claimed if the event went ahead it would be the country’s biggest ever Nazi gig and could attract up to “500 hardcore neo-Nazis” from England and Germany.
A big thank you to the thousands of our supporters whose pressure has forced this cancellation
Last week it wrote to home secretary Amber Rudd, backed by cabinet secretary for justice in the Scottish Government Michael Matheson, calling for the group to be stopped from entering the UK. A public petition was also signed over 13,500 times calling for the gig to be scrapped.
Around 1,500 people are also said to have written to their local MP seeking support.
Hope Not Hate founder Nick Lowles said the event organiser has since contacted those who have bought tickets to say the gig was off as members of the band feared they would be refused entry into this country and the undisclosed venue would cancel the gig.
In a statement, Knowles said: “I have great news. The nazi gig in Falkirk has been cancelled. We have WON!!
"While obviously we will remain vigilant to ensure that she (the gig’s organiser) is true to her word, we can celebrate a huge victory for people power.
“This has happened because of you. By signing our petition and emailing MPs, you helped generate the pressure that led to the gig being cancelled.
“Huge questions remain about the role of Police Scotland, who, we know, have been in full knowledge of the gig details for some time and appeared ok with the event going ahead.
“Anyway, that is for another day. Today we should celebrate a huge victory. A big thank you to the thousands of our supporters whose pressure has forced this cancellation.
“We have won and in the process showed what we can do when we work together.”
