PROGRESS to Yes was refreshing as it finally addressed the elephant in the room – the toxic infighting on social media which has caused schisms in the movement.
In the Aberdeen Altens Hotel yesterday, activists from across the independence movement finally met in person and one subject reared its head again – the impact of Alba on the perception of the Yes campaign and the vicious social media discussions around LGBT rights and other minority rights.
There was a moment during a panel on building a progressive Yes movement when one audience member asked how to address transphobia and bigotry within the campaign. It was quickly followed by AIM’s co-organiser Alan Petrie pointing out that the group were currently dealing with an onslaught of abuse on social media after attending Aberdeen Pride, particularly from Alba supporters.
READ MORE: Indyref2 campaign set to have 'Yes pledge' code of conduct at heart
One Alba member who was present said he was “disturbed” by the fact that the issue was brought up, that members had reportedly been taking part in abuse and said there shouldn’t be anything the groups disagree on, but it’s clear that there are.
SNP MSP Karen Adam tackled the question, and pointed out that young people are generally more progressive and want something different, and if that vision isn’t put in front of them they won’t vote for it. She added that the Yes movement has to “get to the crux of groups seen as dominating and repressing minority groups”, and both Adam and the Alba member said they were open to talking about it.
And that’s the difference that taking the movement away from Twitter and other vitriolic social media sites makes – the art of a constructive conversation has been lost behind the keyboard and one of the main ways to combat it is through working together, whatever the vision of an independent Scotland is.
To see MPs, MSPs and councillors mingling with activists and asking questions during panels was nice to see, and Stewart Hosie’s closing speech urging activists to sign the Yes pledge was another sign that there are great efforts being made to bring the movement together ahead of 2023.
Despite the tough discussions, it was an energetic day, there were plenty of rooms and panels on everything from the Just Transition to abortion rights in an independent Scotland, and getting into the nitty gritty of how to talk to No voters and undecideds.
The National held a panel on the media in Scotland and it was interesting to hear from readers what they want from the paper and how we can work with the grassroots, as well as what sets us apart from every other paper in Scotland.
There were rumours swirling around that a certain arch-Unionist was undercover at the conference wearing a blue hat, but despite our best efforts we could not find him.
And to end the day, an ad hoc auction which saw a signed Scotland football top signed by Nicola Sturgeon was clearly the prize of the day and sparked a bidding war before one delegate snapped it up for £200.
As Josh Mennie told delegates as the conference closed, the Yes campaign ahead of 2023 had arrived, and AIM kicked it off.
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