MANNY Singh, the chief organiser of Glasgow's huge All Under One Banner independence march on Saturday, has released a statement after being reported to the procurator fiscal by police.
Singh was visited by police officers at his home on Monday, and was reported under Section 65 of the Civic Government(Scotland) Act 1982 which states that anyone convicted of holding a procession that does not comply with the relevant council order can be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of up to three months.
READ MORE: All Under One Banner chief has been charged over Glasgow march
Below is Singh's statement in full.
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“As you would have heard, I have been formally charged under section 65 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
“Firstly, I want to say you may notice I don't smile much at each march. That is because my responsibility is to make sure everyone who attends the march is safe and protected, also that no distribution or infiltration takes place. Once it is over and the last thing is done, then I smile.
“I worry about a lot of things that can go wrong and how to deal with them if any such situation was to arise. I have a dedicated volunteer stewards team, First Aid etc that make my life so much easier.
“Now, I always knew that the unionist Glasgow City Council could push for this. I evaluated the risks to myself and only myself about what would happen if I defied GCC and their ridiculous demands to keep numbers low.
“Worst case? A heavy fine and three months custodial sentence. That is nothing compared to others not just in Scotland but worldwide who endured death, torture, jail to make their nations free.
“The truth is Police Scotland have had orders from above to arrest me, and we can all guess who pushed for this.
“Police Scotland used emergency powers and facilitated the march that took place on May 4. A new historical record was set beating the previous one set in Edinburgh of 100k. They made sure a peaceful march took place. The Chief Inspector, Audrey Hand, and the Police Liaison officer worked well with me. They helped me get the M8 and other roads shut down. This is not an easy task as some may think.
“The march on the 4th of May speaks for itself. A fun, family-friendly people marching to make their country free from oppression. No arrests, no violence, no property damage etc.
“The reputation of the independence movement was upheld and broadcast across the world.
“Now this goes to the procurator fiscal's office who will decide if it serves public interest in taking me to court. That decision won't be up to the PF but will come from high up.
“I always have said when trying to fight the British Empire you can bend a knee and sell out. Or you do what is necessary to make your country free without harming another.
“You win the hearts and minds with knowledge, love and with a vision for a new Scotland 30 year plan through 2030, 2040, 2050.
“So I am used to the slander, malicious lies and constant attacks from people on my side also.
“In the end it is not about a pro-independence organisation, political parties, an individual but the movement itself that is made up of every one of you.
“One of my favourite quotes is in the words of Frederick Douglass: 'Those who profess to favour freedom and yet depreciate agitation are people who want crops without ploughing the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning, they want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. The struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, or it may be both – but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand, it never has and it never will.'
“I will continue to defy any restrictions from the powers that be in a peaceful manner until we are an independent nation. I will never sell out, and do the best I can for the soul of the nation I was born in. Now it is time for Scotland to rise from the shackles of the British Empire run from Westminster.
“Thank you, I hope I haven't disappointed you all too much."
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police Scotland can confirm that a 39-year-old man will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for failing to comply with conditions imposed on a procession."
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "It would be inappropriate for us to comment on an ongoing police matter."
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