In pics: Hundreds come together to protest 'rape clause' in Glasgow

GEORGE SQUARE came alive with speeches and singing yesterday evening at the Scrap the Rape Clause rally.

Speakers at the event included SNP MP Alison Thewliss, Sandy Brindley from Rape Crisis Scotland, Mridul Wadhwa from Shakti Women’s Aid, feminist activist Talat Yaqoob and SNP MP Mhairi Black.

At the beginning of the rally, event organiser Brenna Jessie read out a message from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who stated she wished she could be there and gave the protest her full support.

Organiser @brennajessie_ delivering a message from @NicolaSturgeon supporting scrapping the #RapeClause. pic.twitter.com/GOPRAkzYHL

— Ross Colquhoun (@rosscolquhoun) April 13, 2017

Alison Thewliss, who has been at the forefront of the anti-‘rape clause’ campaign, delivered a passionate which highlighted the lack of response of Ruth Davidson:

“The fact that women have to demonstrate in George Square in 2017 against such a barbaric and vile policy is bad enough. What’s worse is the wall of silence these women are being faced with.”

at a gathering in George Square, Glasgow, Scotland, against a proposed cut to child benefits by the Westminster government. April 13, 2017. Under the proposal some women would have to prove they were the victim of rape to get some benefits for their child. — Lead campaigner and SNP MP Alison Thewliss (SWNS)

Campaigners protest in George Square, Glasgow, against the UK Government's so-called "rape clause" for tax credits. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 13, 2017. The rule requires rape victims claiming tax credits for a third or subsequent child to prove they became pregnant as a result of an attack or while in a coercive relationship in order to qualify. See PA story SCOTLAND Benefits. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire — Campaigners protest in George Square, Glasgow, against the UK Government’s so-called “rape clause” for tax credits. (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

A gathering in George Square, Glasgow, Scotland, against a proposed cut to child benefits by the Westminster government. April 13, 2017. Under the proposal some women would have to prove they were the victim of rape to get some benefits for their child. — (SWNS)

Talat Yaqoob started her speech with the frank admission that she at first she wasn’t sure what to say at the event because she had almost been ‘disgusted into silence.’ Ms Yaqoob and speaker Mridul Wadhwa both highlighted the effect the family cap could have on women of BME backgrounds or who have immigrated to the UK.

. @talatyaqoob "I was disgusted into silence. But we can't be silent. This is the time to shout louder than before." #scraptherapeclause pic.twitter.com/Y9IQhW6IMj

— Robert J Somynne (@RobertJSomynne) April 13, 2017

SNP MP Mhairi Black gave the final speech and said she thought a society should be judged by how they treat their most vulnerable, and also criticised Tory leaders Theresa May and Ruth Davidson for not doing enough for women, saying: “Your gender matters not a jot if you kick away the ladder for other women.”

Ms Black added women would have to fight injustices and said “any self-respecting man will stand along with us.”

SNP MP Mhairi Black (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

A petition set up last night calling on the government to scrap the rape clause has, at the time of writing, garnered 4,359 signatures. The petition must reach 10,000 for an official response from government, and 100,000 for the issue to be debated in Parliament.