A GRASSROOTS pro-independence group has organised a demonstration outside Holyrood today from noon.
All Under One Banner’s (AUOB) protest is “a static, distanced demo ... not a march or a rally” and is being held in response to “this latest, gravest, threat to our rights”.
The group said: “The demonstration is the first in a series of actions which will continue every month and will grow as the threat to our rights and to our Scottish Parliament grows nearer.
“The unveiling by the Westminster Government of its ‘UK Internal Market’ white paper on July 16 shows that, even while Scotland strains every sinew to deal with the Covid crisis, London-based politicians are plotting and planning to destroy the rights of the people of Scotland.
“This is a clear warning of what is to come unless we stand firm, resist now and step out of the deceitful and dishonest Union as soon as we can.”
Keir McKechnie, an AUOB organiser, said: “We want to send a clear message to the Westminster junta who wish to strip us of our rights that the people of Scotland give notice of our intention to assert our democratic rights to self-determination and to independence.
“There is a growing appetite for independence across Scotland and Scottish society to make a clean break from an increasingly right wing, racist and unequal UK.”
AUOB also stressed that the demonstration would follow the current Covid regulations and guidance.
The group had planned marches and rallies to take place at Arbroath, Glasgow, Peebles, Elgin, Kirkcaldy, Stirling and Edinburgh during 2020, but says those marches and rallies will now take place in 2021.
Instead of the pro-independence marches on the streets of Scotland, the group has strictly limited participation in today’s Edinburgh event to local, registered people.
Their goal is to have no more than 129 protesters taking part – one for every MSP.
The group added that a Monday had specifically been chosen for the protest as it would be quieter than a weekend, and so would allow for two-metre social distancing to be maintained throughout.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel