THE march and rally for independence scheduled for Glasgow on Saturday afternoon will go ahead as planned with the original 1.30pm start after organisers All Under One Banner (AUOB) met Police Scotland in Glasgow yesterday.
Glasgow City Council had imposed an 11am start for the march after hearing from the Police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) of their fears of possible “significant disruption” to the city centre by the march which is expected to be attended by tens of thousands of independence supporters.
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AUOB had pointed out that many people were coming from all over Scotland for the march and an earlier start would have disrupted many travel plans, while the possibility of a ‘staggered’ start would have been more disruptive.
One of the major concerns of Police Scotland and SFRS was the possibility of them having to attend a major incident somewhere along the route of the march.
The National understands that AUOB were able to reassure the officers in charge of policing the march that they would be able to stop the march immediately to allow emergency services through in case of an incident.
The originally planned route will also be used - Kelvingrove Park, Kelvin Way, Gibson Street, Eldon Street, Woodlands Road, Sauchiehall Street, Pitt Street, West George Street, Blythswood Square (S), West George Street, Nelson Mandela Place, West George Street, George Square (N), George Street, High Street, Saltmarket, Glasgow Green.
READ MORE: Stornoway's first Yes march is hailed as a big success
AUOB Operations Director Manny Singh told The National: “We had a very positive meeting with the police and we reassured them over their concerns.
“We have a highly trained team of stewards who can deal with any eventuality and now we can concentrate on preparing everything for the march and rally.
“We would urge every supporter of independence who can make it to Glasgow on Saturday to come along to an event which will be peaceful, fun and family friendly and, most important of all, will show that there is huge appetite for independence in Glasgow and the whole of Scotland.”
AUOB organised a series of marches last year starting in Glasgow and ending in Edinburgh in October when an estimated 100,000 people marched down the Royal Mile in the biggest pro-independence event yet.
Singh said: “We are hopeful of getting somewhere near to that figure.”
Saturday’s march will see the second appearance of Saor Alba, the pipe band of the Yes movement who made a successful debut in Stornoway for the Outer Hebrides for Independence march at the weekend. There have been concerns about a possible counter demonstration by unionist group A Force For Good, but AUOB and Police Scotland are confident that it will not disrupt the march. AUOB have asked participants not to ‘interact’ with the group.
Asked about the apparent u-turn over the timing, Glasgow City Council said: “It’s a matter for the organiser and police at this point.”
Chief Inspector Audrey Hand said: “We are working with Glasgow City Council and other partners to facilitate the march, and any counter demonstration, safely. Police Scotland will police the march appropriately.”
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