AN APPEAL has been made to spread the news that a march in support of Scottish independence is to be held in Berlin this April.

The plea has come from Germans for Scottish Independence, who are organising the event two days before the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Supporters with friends, relatives or even business partners in Europe have been asked to spread the word about the march.

“Please encourage them to take part in the demonstration,” said Marco Gorlach of Germans for Scottish Independence. “Berlin is located in the heart of Europe and is easy to reach.

“Together we want to send a clear message once again. Also we will be within earshot and sight of the British Embassy and in the centre of the city where thousands of people will take notice.

“Everyone is invited but especially people from Europe and Scots who live in Europe. Please help us to reach these people.”

READ MORE: Scottish independence: Plan for simultaneous marches in 2020

The march will begin at the Brandenburg Gate at 11am and will stop for a short rally in front of the British Embassy before going on to Alexanderplatz.

Gorlach said the group was hoping 2020’s turn-out would exceed the estimated 150 who marched last year.

“Last year thousands of tourists saw us, took pictures and some joined in,” he said. “It was a great event – not so much in numbers but in emotions.”

Gorlach added: “We are working to get more and more Germans on the streets as there are lots supporting Scottish independence. We also want to attract prominent speakers and artists so that we get more media attention.

“The more public support for Scottish independence, the more pressure is put on politicians in Berlin and Brussels.

“In Germany we do not get much publicity and we need to try to get as many people to Berlin as possible,” he said. “Help us to reach people in Germany.

“We stand for a peaceful Europe for the people and our group officially is against Brexit.”Görlach, a factory worker and trade unionist from Pößneck, said the pro-independence marches in Scotland last year proved the movement was stronger than ever.

He set up Germans for Independence in the run up to the referendum in 2014. Görlach says he became “crazy” about Scotland after first visiting in 1991 and is now a member of the SNP.

Germans for Scottish Independence first held a march and rally in Berlin in 2017 and since then the group has been building up support.

“We stand out of conviction behind the vision of a progressive, independent Scotland,” he said. “Together we live the Europe of solidarity, democracy and peace. We are the people’s Europe.”

The group can be contacted through their Facebook page, Germans for Scottish Independence.