THE First Minister has been invited to speak at a Scottish independence rally to present a “united front” from the Yes movement.
Humza Yousaf, who has pledged to be the SNP’s “first activist” as well as party leader, was asked to address a rally set to be held in Glasgow on May 4.
All Under One Banner (AUOB), the pro-independence campaign group which has organised the demonstration, said in a letter that if he was unable to attend that event, Yousaf would be welcome to speak at one of the other three rallies currently on their 2024 calendar.
These are: Stirling, June 22; Elgin, August 3; and Edinburgh, September 7.
The group further asked the SNP to send a Scottish Government minister to attend all of the events.
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In their letter to Yousaf, AUOB wrote: “It is now ten years since the 2014 referendum, a decade of missed opportunities marked by the continuing destruction of what remains of our manufacturing base, and a Westminster political machine that is bent on supporting an ongoing genocide in Gaza – which both the broad indy movement and the vast majority of Scots deplore and oppose.
“We applaud the principled stance you have taken on this issue, and in order to underline our solidarity with you and the Scottish Government we would be delighted if you would agree to address our march and rally in Glasgow on May 4.
“This presents an ideal opportunity for the broad independence movement to show a united front against a Westminster establishment completely fixated with slashing public spending and social services whilst waging perpetual war on the international front.”
Tomorrow we send our letter to @HumzaYousaf @ScotGovFM @theSNP regarding the 4 May Glasgow march and rally, and this year's National demonstrations #AUOB. pic.twitter.com/PnnhmVZ229
— All Under One Banner (@AUOBNOW) March 18, 2024
They add: “We are determined to build the largest and broadest turnout we can for May 4, and as time is already pressing, it would help us enormously if you could provide a favourable response to our request by Monday April 8 so we can maximise public interest and turnout.”
In 2023 during the SNP leadership contest, all three candidates accepted invitations to speak at an independence rally on May 6 organised by AUOB.
However, Yousaf reneged on the commitment after becoming First Minister as he had to attend the coronation of King Charles on the same day.
He was instead invited to attend a rally in Stirling in September, but SNP MP Dave Doogan was sent in his stead.
The SNP have been sent AUOB's letter and asked for comment.
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