ENGLISH Scots for Yes have condemned Oliver Mundell for his comments on the Dumfries independence march.
Saturday's demonstration drew crowds of 10,000 in the former No town but the Tory MSP told ITV the demo was "a complete and utter waste of time" and "an affront to voters in this part of the world ... where people voted very strongly to remain part of the United Kingdom."
READ MORE:10,000 indy supporters take to the streets in Dumfries
He added: "Obviously people have a right to protest but most importantly people have a right that the democratic process us going to be respected."
You can feel the fear in Oliver Mundell’s statement.https://t.co/C9iOowIOqs https://t.co/C9iOowIOqs
— Stuart Carroll (@doonhamer1967) June 2, 2018
The march included English Scots from Dumfries, Wanlockhead, Lockerbie, Stranraer, Annan, Moffat and other areas.
Dumfries and Galloway English Scots for YES Convenor, John Schofield, said: "It is a fundamental human right to be allowed to have a public display of support.
READ MORE: Leonard to make audacious pitch to disheartened Yes voters
"Oliver Mundell should completely respect the Scottish people and the Scottish Parliament by recognising the Scottish Government's right to call a [second] independence referendum, because of its explicit manifesto commitment in 2016.
"Not to do so would be an affront to democracy and would continue Westminster Conservative efforts to undermine Holyrood along with their power grab on repatriated EU powers."
Oliver Mundell stated it was wrong for supporters of Independence to March through an area of Scotland that voted NO.
— THE BLACK SALTIRE#FBSI (@80_mcswan) June 3, 2018
I wonder if he will now openly state the bigoted OO are wrong to march in parts of Scotland that are YES?
The march included English Scots from Dumfries, Wanlockhead, Lockerbie, Stranraer, Annan, Moffat and other areas.
Schofield also praised the "fantastic" turnout at the demo.
He added: "Saturday was a fantastic, family friendly day, with people of all ages, including prams and dogs.
"There were also approximately 15 very good natured Unionists with a tiny counter-demonstration. It was a very democratic, inclusive event with English Scots, Welsh Scots, American Scots, Pensioners for Yes, LGBT groups, England football tops and Crosses of St George being flown, all attending in their own free time and all demonstrating their support for independence, and a second Scottish referendum."
English Scots for YES national convenor, Math Campbell-Sturgess, said: “Our group is still growing, and the Dumfries and Galloway regional group was only established a few weeks ago.
"We had dozens of activists marching behind the group’s banner through the town, and it’s brilliant to see so many new members in such a short time surely demonstrating the desire for independence from many English-born Scots in Dumfries and across the region.”
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