ALL Under One Banner is set to defy an order by Glasgow City Council that its march and rally for independence in the city on May 4 should start at 11am.

The organisers of march say the original start time of 1.30pm will be kept despite the Public Processions Committee of the council imposing the 11am start, as requested by Police Scotland.

SNP councillors Annette Christie and Christina Cannon plus Scottish Green councillor John Molyneux were presented with a report containing the views of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and rescue Service expressing “considerable concern” about the safety of the march and the general public given the estimate that 100,000 people could take part.

AUOB’s representative, Operations Director Manny Singh, told the committee that the organisation would guarantee the safety of all concerned.

Chair Annette Christie said there was a "clear risk" if the procession went ahead at the planned time and the committee voted unanimously to allow the march to go ahead but with an 11am start.

READ MORE: Police say Glasgow All Under One Banner march will be too big

AUOB issued a statement saying they would not comply with the start time: “Despite the fact that AUOB had given the authorities 12 months’ notice that this historic family-friendly event was happening, it was nonetheless highlighted that such a large march would create a real problem due to the high risk of public disorder and general detrimental impacts to the city of Glasgow, and thus to reduce this hypothetical impact many recommendations were made to the three councillors (who would be making the final decision of the hearing) that the start time of the march should be brought forward to 11am rather than the 1.30pm on AUOB’s notification.

It continued: “Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council (GCC) downplayed last year’s Glasgow march numbers to an attendance of 20,000 and went on further to state that 20,000 was the biggest attendance figure ever recorded at any march in Glasgow’s history (which were clearly downright lies), and as such an anticipated 100,000 or more participants on May 4 meant that Police Scotland would find this extremely challenging.

“The AUOB team stated that last year’s attendance at Glasgow was in excess of 60,000 and that we would absolutely guarantee that no disruption would be caused to emergency services that may need swift passage through the procession as our expert team of head-stewards and first-aiders will ensure that all volunteer stewards and first-aiders are thoroughly trained and briefed for every eventuality on the day, and we further highlighted the peaceful track-record behaviour at every All Under One Banner march over the last five years.

“Moreover, if Police Scotland can successfully manage massive crowds at demonstrations such as the G8 summit, Trump’s state visits and Make Poverty History etc then undoubtedly the force will be able to easily cope with a family-friendly non-violent positive crowd on the 4th May.

The statement added: “We also brought to the attention of GCC the tremendous economic boost to the city of Glasgow as potentially millions of pounds are spent on May 4 by AUOB participants, let alone the fact that this is a fantastic tourist attraction which further serves towards the economic boost for Scotland’s biggest city.

“After a short break for the councillors to deliberate, we were all invited back into the room to hear the committee’s decision, which was that a 1.30pm start time was not permitted and instead an 11am start was to take place.

“It was clear to us that there was no negotiation or compromise with the committee who we deduced had made up their minds before all parties attended this Kangaroo hearing, with the hearing being a simple display of purported justice being done, when a 1.30pm start time does not create any of the negative consequences that were outlined by the authorities yet which enabled and ensured maximum attendance for independence supporters from across Scotland, and worldwide, on this historic day.

“Once the committee’s decision had been announced the AUOB team clearly stated that we will be defying this ruling (as supported by the vast majority in the Independence movement) and will start the march as planned at 1.30pm on May 4 marching the route as notified to the authorities 12 months ago.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, this decision by the authorities was being pushed behind-the-scenes by the deep state of London Rule to ensure that the attendance figures on the day are as low as possible- thus feeding into the lie that there is no appetite for an Independent Scotland.

“Now it is time for Scotland to rise, All Under One Banner, and even though some people may not be happy that we are defying the council it is imperative that we do and together show that this is not a mere celebration but a demand for Scotland’s freedom- and as such we are calling out all Independence supporters, all the 21st century clans, to join us on 4th May on this peaceful family-friendly non-violent direct-action march for independence where we will collectively defy the British state’s discriminatory time-bar ruling in our hundreds of thousands.”

In response to AUOB’s declaration, Glasgow City Council said it was now a matter for the police. Police Scotland have been asked for comment.