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| Rally backing for school sit-in | Rally backing for school sit-in |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A demonstration has been held in support of parents who have occupied two closure-threatened schools. | |
| More than 20 parents barricaded themselves inside Wyndford Primary and St Gregory's Primary in the Maryhill area of Glasgow on Friday afternoon. | More than 20 parents barricaded themselves inside Wyndford Primary and St Gregory's Primary in the Maryhill area of Glasgow on Friday afternoon. |
| The city-wide Save Our Schools Campaign held a rally outside the premises in a show of solidarity. | |
| Glasgow City Council has proposed closing or merging 13 primary schools and 12 nurseries across the city. | Glasgow City Council has proposed closing or merging 13 primary schools and 12 nurseries across the city. |
| The protest at the two schools, which back on to each other, began at 1430 BST on Friday after parents attending a balloon launch in the school grounds locked themselves inside the assembly halls. | The protest at the two schools, which back on to each other, began at 1430 BST on Friday after parents attending a balloon launch in the school grounds locked themselves inside the assembly halls. |
| The support we've been getting has been amazing. I've had about 300 texts from all over Britain and even one from Italy Nikki RathmillProtestor | The support we've been getting has been amazing. I've had about 300 texts from all over Britain and even one from Italy Nikki RathmillProtestor |
| The campaigners refused police requests to leave, and said they were willing to remain in the schools over the two-week Easter holiday period, which started on Friday, if necessary. | The campaigners refused police requests to leave, and said they were willing to remain in the schools over the two-week Easter holiday period, which started on Friday, if necessary. |
| Officers have made no attempt to force the protestors out, and there have been no arrests made. | Officers have made no attempt to force the protestors out, and there have been no arrests made. |
| Parents inside the buildings have been using the school kitchen facilities to make themselves tea and food. | Parents inside the buildings have been using the school kitchen facilities to make themselves tea and food. |
| Occupant Nikki Rathmill, whose five-year-old son Ross attends Wyndford, said there were 11 parents and friends inside the school, with a further 11 in St Gregory's. | Occupant Nikki Rathmill, whose five-year-old son Ross attends Wyndford, said there were 11 parents and friends inside the school, with a further 11 in St Gregory's. |
| "We are trying to save our children's education and their safety," she explained. | "We are trying to save our children's education and their safety," she explained. |
| "The support we've been getting has been amazing. I've had about 300 texts from all over Britain and even one from Italy since this started. | "The support we've been getting has been amazing. I've had about 300 texts from all over Britain and even one from Italy since this started. |
| "We're determined to stay for as long as it takes." | "We're determined to stay for as long as it takes." |
| The parents have pledged to stay inside the school for a fortnight | The parents have pledged to stay inside the school for a fortnight |
| Under the local authority proposals, Wyndford Primary would close and pupils would be transferred to Parkview Primary. | Under the local authority proposals, Wyndford Primary would close and pupils would be transferred to Parkview Primary. |
| St Gregory's would also shut with pupils moving to St Mary's Primary. | St Gregory's would also shut with pupils moving to St Mary's Primary. |
| Some parents have claimed the plans would have a negative impact on children's education, and have suggested a better solution would be to merge Wyndford, which is non-denominational, with St Gregory's, a Roman Catholic school. | Some parents have claimed the plans would have a negative impact on children's education, and have suggested a better solution would be to merge Wyndford, which is non-denominational, with St Gregory's, a Roman Catholic school. |
| A decision will be taken later this month after a consultation closed in March. | A decision will be taken later this month after a consultation closed in March. |
| Ms Rathmill said the proposals would mean her son travelling 1.4 miles to Parkview school every morning. | Ms Rathmill said the proposals would mean her son travelling 1.4 miles to Parkview school every morning. |
| She added: "They are saying they will give him a travel card, but he's only five and there's no way he can get on a bus himself. | She added: "They are saying they will give him a travel card, but he's only five and there's no way he can get on a bus himself. |
| "This is a peaceful protest. We just want to highlight the fact that the council have taken everything away from this area." | "This is a peaceful protest. We just want to highlight the fact that the council have taken everything away from this area." |
| Demonstrations have previously been held outside the City Chambers and at the schools involved. | Demonstrations have previously been held outside the City Chambers and at the schools involved. |
| The parents who have staged these school occupations have shown tremendous courage and principle Richie VentonSave Our Schools | The parents who have staged these school occupations have shown tremendous courage and principle Richie VentonSave Our Schools |
| Save Our Schools campaign organiser Richie Venton praised the parents for the action. | Save Our Schools campaign organiser Richie Venton praised the parents for the action. |
| "The parents who have staged these school occupations have shown tremendous courage and principle," Mr Venton said. | "The parents who have staged these school occupations have shown tremendous courage and principle," Mr Venton said. |
| "Parents are fighting for the future of kids across the city, and deserve a huge show of support from the rest of us, not just from the Maryhill community but beyond." | "Parents are fighting for the future of kids across the city, and deserve a huge show of support from the rest of us, not just from the Maryhill community but beyond." |
| A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said it held a six-week consultation exercise on its school estate strategy, which included 46 public meetings, and resulted in more than 8,000 formal responses. | A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said it held a six-week consultation exercise on its school estate strategy, which included 46 public meetings, and resulted in more than 8,000 formal responses. |
| "These are currently being collated and councillors will receive a comprehensive report for them to make informed decisions on all the proposals at a meeting of the council on 23 April," the spokesman added. | "These are currently being collated and councillors will receive a comprehensive report for them to make informed decisions on all the proposals at a meeting of the council on 23 April," the spokesman added. |