HUNDREDS OF protesters gathered in Edinburgh for an emergency rally in support of voters going to the polls in Catalonia.
Organisers estimated that over 1000 people gathered outside the Spanish Consulate in North Castle Street before marching to the European Commission building in Alva Steet to show solidarity with the Catalan voters.
Speakers from a range of political parties and movements spoke at the rally with Catalan voices among them.
“It was a fantastic demonstration of solidarity by people from across Scotland standing shoulder to shoulder, not just with the Catalans, but with democrats from across Europe who are appalled by Spanish state oppression,” said Jonathan Shafi, co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign, organisers of the rally. “I would say there were over 1000 people there so it was a really good turnout.”
He said the protestors had marched to the EU Commission building to make the point that it was up to everyone in Europe “to demand action to uphold democracy in the face of violent state repression”.
“There has been violence with rubber bullets and elderly people being physically removed from polling stations,” said Shafi. “It’s reported that 338 are injured which is unforgiveable and a sad state of affairs.”
The rally yesterday followed one in Glasgow which saw hundreds of people turn out ahead of the independence vote yesterday.
Shafi said pictures of the Glasgow rally had been sent to contacts in Catalonia who had then shared them on social media.
“We’ve had hundreds of tweets and emails from people thanking us and saying how much it means to them,” he said, adding that yesterday’s protest was in tandem with the hundreds of Scots who had gone out to Catalonia over the weekend to act as neutral observers.
“People in Catalonia stood with people in Scotland on the question of independence but the depth and breadth of support for people in Catalonia exercising their right to vote has gone well beyond that of independence supporters here,” he said. “We are seeing a whole range of people who believe this kind of anti-democratic behaviour has to be opposed.”
No response was made to the protestors by the Spanish consulate but Shafi said the point had been made.
“There were so many demonstrators outside both buildings that it worked very well in terms of sending a message of solidarity,” he said.
The speakers included Stuart Fairweather, chairperson Dundee Trades Council, Sarah Glynn, Scottish Unemployed Workers’ Network, Deborah Keyembe, Human Rights lawyer, Ben Macpherson, SNP MSP, Callum Martin, Rise, Matt Dobson, Catalan student solidarity activist and Hugh Cullen, of the SSP.
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