THE success of White Rose Day can be measured by the fact that plenty of expat Scots and independence activists overseas took part.
We’ve seen pictures of roses scattered on the Huatoki river, on the way to Tasman Sea in New Plymouth and Taranaki in New Zealand.
A white frangipani flower was pictured beside the Pacific Ocean, at Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia. A single white rose was displayed in Zevenbergen in The Netherlands.
We also saw white flowers specially laid at Peel Inlet, Mandurah, Western Australia, on the way to the Indian Ocean.
Readers will recall that Dumfries and Galloway Pensioners for Independence (DGPI) originated White Rose Day to mark the death of democracy in Scotland as we get taken out of the European Union against our collective Scottish will. It was decided to go ahead with the original date of March 30 despite the shilly-shallying and dilly-dallying in Westminster.
The question is how do those of us who believe that the 62% of Scots who voted Remain – now more than 70% according to some polls – now mark the actual date when Scotland will go out of the EU as part of the shambolic Brexit imposed on us.
Over to DGPI for an idea which is still in its early stages but which we at The National think has great promise.
Ian Richmond of DGPI wrote to tell us how he had been inspired by SNP MEP and National columnist Alyn Smith’s great final speech to the European Parliament.
Readers will recall Smith’s words: “If we are removed from our family of nations against our will, against our clearly democratically expressed view, if we are removed against our will, independence will be our only route back. Chers collegues, I am not asking you to solve our domestic discussions, I am asking you to leave a light on so that we can find our way home.”
DGPI’s Richmond is suggesting that we use the theme of light to mark Brexit day whenever it is.
He wrote: “I’m not much taken with mass demonstrations. I much prefer lower key individual and small group events spread around the country where they can be seen.
“So my idea will take a bit of organising. What I’m proposing is that we take up Alyn Smith’s theme of ‘leave a light on for Scotland.’
“On the day we eventually leave individuals should put a candle in their window and groups of people can gather to light candles if they wish.”
The National suggests that the Yes movement as a whole considers this idea. Imagine communities across the country holding candlelight vigils at 11pm or any time on whatever day we Brexit.
We’ll get some notice from Westminster, hopefully, and of course The National will report on all your plans. How about it?
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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