THERE is no doubt that attendances at various marches and rallies have been vastly down, with one example being All Under One Banner’s event in Edinburgh at the weekend which attracted just a few thousand when previous marches in the capital had teemed with tens of thousands of independence supporters.
There were mitigating circumstances for the Edinburgh march such as the local police and council forcing AUOB to move the date and the route of the march, but it would be foolish to deny that the turnout was hugely down on previous events.
READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Thousands march for independence at Edinburgh rally
The Hope Over Fear United for Independence rally in Glasgow the previous weekend was sparsely attended compared with previous events, and the rain didn’t help.
So is this a sign of the Yes movement losing enthusiasm? Decidedly not. Anecdotal and social media evidence tells us that many people are not yet ready to attend large-scale political events – football and music festivals, maybe, but marches and rallies are by their nature close quarter events.
Maybe it is just a bit soon after the end of lockdown, or maybe it’s an indication that the Yes movement needs to be concentrating on smaller scale events where conversion to the cause of independence may be possible.
Yes2indee, for instance, are planning their next march in Glasgow on Saturday, October 9 for a stated 1000 people, as agreed with Glasgow Council. They are asking participants to gather at Kelvin Way at 11am to leave at 11.30am sharp.
National coordinator Gary Kelly told The National: “Yes2Indee have organised its second public procession of 2021, after doing a small limited number event in July during Covid-19 restrictions.
“Yes2Indee are back in Glasgow on October 9, let’s finish the year in the Yes city of Glasgow. We at Yes2Indee remain committed to march until Scotland is free, so let’s unite the Yes movement. Yes2Indee are not affiliated to any political party, we ask the Yes movement to unite and join us in Glasgow.
“We are excited to announce the Yes Bikers for Independence will be attending bringing the thunder to Glasgow once again for the first time since a wet dreich day in Glasgow in 2020. Volunteer stewards are also needed, Glasgow steward ratio for this event will be 10 to one, so 1000 people marching needs 100 stewards for this event – bring your own vest or one will be provided.”
The approved route Kelvin Way, Gibson Street, Eldon Street, Woodlands Road, Sauchiehall Street, Blythswood Street, West Regent Street, Renfield Street, Union Street, Jamaica Street, Clyde Street, Bridgegate, Saltmarket and McLennan Arch.
Any enquiries regarding this event email: yes2indee@gmail.com
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