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TWO of Glasgow’s working class heroes should be pardoned for their part in the city’s labour fight 95 years ago, experts insisted this week.

A leading historian says the anniversary of the Battle of George Square and

40-hour strike is the perfect opportunity to pardon William Gallacher and Manny Shinwell. The calls have been backed by the Jimmy Reid Foundation.

Gallacher and Shinwell were key figures in what became known as

Bloody Friday when, on January 31, 1919, 60,000 people demonstrating in George Square for better working conditions were met with police violence.

Clyde Workers’ Committee (CWC) men Gallacher and Shinwell were arrested, charged with incitement to riot and sentenced to five months in jail.

Sociology lecturer Neil Davidson, from Glasgow University, said: “There have been many people sentenced for all sorts of things they haven’t done or we now think are right, so it would be a good thing to recognise them. Beyond anything else, it’s not thought they were inciting the crowd. It was a case of, ‘Let’s get some ringleaders and make an example’.”

The demonstrators – who were calling for a reduction of the working week to 40 hours – fell victim to a police baton charge while their leaders, the CWC, were in negotiations inside the City Chambers.

(Image: Daily Record)

When the CWC’s David Kirkwood left upon hearing the riot, he was hit with a truncheon and charged with incitement to riot – though later acquitted.

Running battles ensued between police and protestors, with the government bringing in soldiers, tanks and artillery from across the country to restore order.

The strike that followed was unsuccessful in obtaining the 40-hour week, though it did achieve a reduction.

Prof Davidson added: “The events of George Square were incredibly symbolic, and an important landmark in working class history.

“This was an important first step in terms of getting more workers’ rights.”

Gallacher would go on to become a leading figure in the Communist Labour Party, while Shinwell later was Minister of Defence and a peer for Labour.

Robin McAlpine, of the Jimmy Reid Foundation, added: “Glasgow men like Kirkwood, Gallacher and Shinwell who fought for the rights of working people were jailed by the British State who brought the tanks into George Square.

“These attempts to write working class heroes out of Scotland’s history and its current debate must be fought.

“A pardon for the heroes of Red Clydeside would be a good start.”