Thousands of trade unionists and human rights activists took to the streets of Glasgow on Saturday in the annual STUC St Andrew’s Day anti-racism march and rally.

The demonstration coincided with the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, providing a rallying call to stand in unity with the people of Palestine and step up the international pressure on Israel.

Protesters also came onto the streets to support those demonstrating in Ferguson, Missouri, and more widely across the US against the shooting of black teenager Mike Brown by a white policeman — and a grad jury decision not to take action against officer.

Selma James, author, activist and founder of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network told crowds that “these demonstrations were important for the people to establish their power, solidarity and clarity.”

Referring to Ferguson, she noted the high number of women involved with building not just a protest movement but a movement for change.

She drew attention to the international character of the anti-racism and civil rights movement, saying that the Israeli army had a long history of training US police departments in occupation-style repression.

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar warned the audience not to be complacent about the rise of Ukip in the run-up to the general election next May.

He called on the trade union movement to destroy Ukip’s attempts to scapegoat ethnic minorities and lay the blame for austerity firmly at the feet of the rich.