Neo- Nazi thugs closed down a town centre as they protested against Syrian refugees fleeing their war torn country before being welcomed in the UK.

The hate filled fascists walked through the Scottish town of Wishaw yesterday, chanting messages of hate while wearing balaclavas and masks.

They waved banners with the slogan “Refugees Not Welcome”.

They were able to cripple the centre of the town because Scotland has no laws to counter such demonstrations, reports the Daily Record .

Steven Wright, who the Daily Record revealed had links to extremists who praised the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox (Photo: THIS IMAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF COPYRIGHT AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, ALTERED, PUBLISHED OR USED FOR ANY OTHER REASON WITHOUT THE PRIOR KNOWLAGE AND CONSENT OF COPYWRITE OWNER, MARK ANDERSON.)
The march closed down the town centre (Photo: DAILY RECORD)
Protesters wore balaclavas while chanting against refugees (Photo: THIS IMAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF COPYRIGHT AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, ALTERED, PUBLISHED OR USED FOR ANY OTHER REASON WITHOUT THE PRIOR KNOWLAGE AND CONSENT OF COPYWRITE OWNER, MARK ANDERSON.)

In the middle of the unwanted invasion was Steven Wright, who the Daily Record revealed earlier this month had links to extremists who praised the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.

Heavily tattooed Wright, 45, who posed as a Holocaust victim to mock those who died in concentration camps, brazenly gave a Nazi salute during the demo organised by the Scottish Defence League.

A protester gestured rudely towards a camera (Photo: THIS IMAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF COPYRIGHT AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, ALTERED, PUBLISHED OR USED FOR ANY OTHER REASON WITHOUT THE PRIOR KNOWLAGE AND CONSENT OF COPYWRITE OWNER, MARK ANDERSON.)

Around 50 Nazis were confronted by a counter demonstration including a strong presence of people from the town.

Politicians, businesses and locals called on the Government to create new laws to stop the far-right bringing unwanted chaos to towns and cities.

Extra officers were drafted in to control the protest (Photo: DAILY RECORD)
Many businesses closed their doors for the day (Photo: DAILY RECORD)

It is the third major far right demo this year, after similar flashpoints in Edinburgh and Alloa.

Wishaw was targeted because the town has welcomed Syrian refugee families displaced by the country’s barbaric civil war.

In England and Wales, police have greater powers to disrupt gatherings of more than 20 people if they believe they could cause problems.

Wishaw was targeted because the town has welcomed Syrian refugee families displaced by the country’s barbaric civil war (Photo: DAILY RECORD)
Chants of hate were heard through the town (Photo: DAILY RECORD)

Labour justice spokeswoman Claire Baker MSP said: “Our police officers do a fantastic job but it is important to make sure they have the powers necessary to keep the public safe.

“Police forces in England and Wales have been given the power to control small but volatile protests like this and the Scottish Government should give consideration to doing the same.”

Despite causing mayhem, the SDL did not need permission to hold the rally.

Their presence was blamed for keeping consumers away from the area and hitting businesses in the pocket.

They carried banners calling for a ban on refugees (Photo: DAILY RECORD)

Anne Tress, 41, who runs Higgins Jewellers in Kirk Street with her husband John, said: “Everyone has been tense and fearing the worst.

“People don’t want to come into the town because they’re worried about trouble.

“I’ve never seen so many police in Wishaw before.”

Esther McArthur, who runs off sales Beer Barrel, added: “I’ve been telling my customers to stay off the streets. It just doesn’t feel safe.”

Residents also voiced their opposition. Donna McCallum, 46, said: “We’re too small a town to have a protest like this.This should not have happened.

“People going about with their faces covered, it’s very intimidating. You don’t know who they are.”

John MacDonald, 52, said: “Demonstrations by extremists should be banned. The town centre has been in lockdown because of bigots.”

A heavy police presence outnumbered the 50 SDL protestors and more than 200 supporters of the counter protest, led by Unite Against Fascism.

The demo followed comments by former North Lanarkshire Council housing boss Sam Love that Syrian refugees were being given homes with “front and back doors” ahead of locals who have been on the housing waiting list for years.

Thirty-seven Syrian families have moved into the area since 2015.

Labour council leader Jim Logue said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting that businesses, on Easter Saturday, were forced to close because these purveyors of racial hated have invaded Wishaw.

Motherwell and Wishaw SNP MP Marion Fellows added: “This is a tolerant and welcoming place, so today’s events fly in the face of all the efforts locally to bring our community together (Photo: DAILY RECORD)

“They have absolutely nothing in common with the overwhelming majority of residents here.

“They came because a former Labour councillor said Syrian refugees here as part of the UK resettlement programme should not be offered the same housing as residents in Wishaw.

“I found that completely objectionable. We were the first council in Scotland to participate in the resettlement programme, taking in Congolese refugees in 2007.

“As a result of that councillor’s irresponsible and disgusting comments, the SDL saw an opportunity to come here and attempt to stoke up racial hatred. They’re not welcome.”

Motherwell and Wishaw SNP MP Marion Fellows added: “This is a tolerant and welcoming place, so today’s events fly in the face of all the efforts locally to bring our community together.

“The refugees who live here have fled their war-torn home looking for safety.

“On this busy holiday weekend, I’m hugely disappointed that this small group of intolerant protesters have managed to cause so much disruption to the people who live here and our local businesses.”

Last month, police made 10 arrests at a demonstration in Edinburgh organised by extremist group the White Brotherhood. The SDL also held a protest in Alloa. Both events were attended by Wright, who works around Scotland as a labourer.

Some called for ex soldiers to be taken care of ahead of refugees (Photo: DAILY RECORD)

Motherwell and Wishaw SNP MSP Clare Adamson said: “It’s really disappointing that towns like Wishaw and Alloa have been targeted. They’re small towns where businesses struggle.

“These people have targeted us because we welcomed Syrian refugees and their views certainly don’t represent those of the town.”

Colin Borland, of the Federation of Small Businesses, called for police to be given extra powers to control demos in town centres.

He said: “The Easter weekend is a really important anchor point of the year, particularly for businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors.

“In these tough times, particularly on such an important weekend, we want to see people out enjoying themselves and spending money – not feeling they can’t set foot in the town centre. The demonstrations either shouldn’t be allowed to take place or a much higher bar set.”

Unite Against Fascism Scotland’s spokesman John McFadden said the SDL demo was an attempt to intimidate refugees and stir up racial hatred.

(Photo: DAILY RECORD)

He added: “Scotland’s communities have always provided magnificent support to refugees, recognising that they are fleeing war, persecution and oppression.

“It’s appalling that the hate-filled, sieg heil-saluting fascists of the SDL imposed themselves on the people of Wishaw .”

Last year, a report to the Scottish Government said police should be given major new powers to deal with demonstrations and protests before they became a public danger.

Twenty people have to be gathered together in one place before the police can disperse the crowd. In England and Wales, police can intervene if just two or more people have come together.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have noted the recommendations in the report and will engage with all parties, including Police Scotland and local authorities, to further improve the management of marches, parades and demonstrations across Scotland.”

Police said no arrests were made yesterday.

SDL spokesman Graham Walker, who organised yesterday’s march, claimed it had the support of people in town.