Protesters hijack Glasgow Commonwealth Games countdown event

Jul 28 2011 By Ben Spencer

Jaconelli

The Jaconelli family put up fierce resistance in March before finally being evicted from their east end home to make way for the Games athletes village.

THE countdown to Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games was hijacked at the weekend by 100 protesters.

Events and exhibitions in George Square were being staged to mark three years until the showpiece event kicks off.

But a group of east end activists drowned out the messages from event host Bryan Burnett.

The angry protesters chanted: "Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Shame" and "Glasgow City Council, Shame On You."

Demonstrators included Margaret Jaconelli, the Dalmarnock grandmother who was evicted from her home in March to make way for the Athletes Village.

Dozens of people linked to the Accord Centre also took part in the protest.

The centre, which is used to care for children and adults with special needs, is being demolished to make way for a bus park. Mrs Jaconelli, 53, said: "I have been out of my house for four months and have still not been paid a penny by this council.

"These Games will be tainted until they deal with the people of the east end properly."

Grace Harrigan, whose son attends the Accord Centre, described the council decision as "laughable".

Earlier this month, more than 100 people protested against council plans to close the Accord Centre.

They gathered outside The Forge shopping centre to protest against its demolition.

The group clutched banners that said "Commonwealth Shame - learning disabilities excluded" and demanded that the council build a new centre.