A YES march next weekend will see thousands show their "readiness for independence to the rest of the world" ahead of a potential 2023 referendum.
The All Under One Banner event, titled "March for Independence – Make Poverty History", will take place in Paisley on Saturday, March 5, starting at 12.30pm.
The march will feature speakers from the SNP, which says it aims to line up appearances from party figures at "every possible" Yes event going forward.
Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to do “everything in her power” to hold a referendum in 2023.
READ MORE: SNP aim to line up speakers for 'every possible event' in run-up to indyref2
SNP MSP George Adam is due to address crowds on the day, as well as Kenny MacLaren, the SNP councillor for Renfrewshire.
Bruno Celini, the event's organiser, told The National: "We originally had the numbers of attendees at these marches 5000 to 10,000 but we’ve knocked it down the last couple of years because of Covid.
"The SNP announcing in the last few weeks that it will be more supportive of the Yes movement could be significant and bring SNP supporters out. It's important political parties get involved as we need to be one movement and all pulling the same weight.
"For all events we invite all parties – you see banners from all sorts of different persuasions at marches."
Two of the most deprived places in Scotland, according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, lie in the Ferguslie Park area – where the march will be kicking off. It will then head to Ferguslie Main Road, Broomlands Street, Wellmeadow Street, Lady Lane, George Street, Causeyside Street, St Mirren Street, High Street, Wellmeadow Street, Broomlands Street and Ferguslie Main Road before returning to Ferguslie Gardens.
Coinciding with the march is a Renfrewshire Foodbank collection by Yes Paisley. Items can be dropped off from 11am to 4pm at 10 Wellmeadow Street in Paisley.
"Independence is the beginning and gives us all the hope we can change things and look to deprived areas more sympathetically than Westminster," Celini said. "Scotland can do so much better. We have the resources and the will is there among the Scottish people who want to go in a different direction.
"Paisley is home to some of the worst deprived areas in Scotland and that should be highlighted. The event will start and end in Ferguslie Park Gardens, which is in the heart of a seriously deprived area.
"With the SNP and Scottish Government proclaiming a new referendum will happen in 2023, it’s important the movement gets prepared and shows that readiness for independence to the rest of the world. The time is now right to get back to marches and mass gatherings."
READ MORE: Yes movement gets fired up as SNP vow signals crucial new phase
MacLaren said if parties don't support the grassroots Yes movement they are "out of touch".
He added: "It's essential for parties to support the grassroots movement or they are out of touch. Parties show leadership but independence supporters will deliver a Yes vote.
"Paisley is suffering from Tory cuts, we’re constantly having to find resources to offset this. We are still paying the Bedroom Tax which could be used to tackle poverty."
He went on to say that the march passes the 1820 martyrs' monument in Woodside Cemetery, which commemorates those who were executed in the aftermath of the Radical War – a week of protests and riots across Scotland in April 1820.
The government at the time feared civil unrest due to the rising cost of living and levels of unemployment. The Paisley connection is the gathering at Miekleriggs Muir in September 1819, where rioting occurred in the streets of the town.
"Paisley is also a radical place and played a role in the 1820 uprising and the march goes past the 1820 monument," MacLaren said. "There’s poverty here but not poverty of ambition."
READ MORE: Back in the Day: The events that led to the Radical War of 1820
Celini added: "It's important to show the national media and world media that something is going in on Scotland. Mass gatherings on any street generally get covered in the world media.
"It’s also a networking opportunity for activists. It gets everyone psyched up for independence and there’s a carnival atmosphere which can get people who aren’t politically motivated involved."
He called for Green politicians to join AUOB marches and take to the stage as speakers.
Independence supporters are urged to join the flyer and poster stall to promote the march tomorrow at Paisley Gilmour Street train station from 4-6pm. For more details visit the Facebook event here.
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