FOLLOWING the series of nationwide independence cavalcades which they organised in collaboration with other Yes groups across the country last year, the Scottish Independence Movement (Sim) is to organise simultaneous cavalcades across Scotland on Saturday, May 1.

In a statement issued yesterday, Sim said: “The Scottish Government are due to take steps in order to ease the lockdown that will roll back some of the restrictions placed on us all.

“The Government’s route map indicates that by April we should be in a position where we can safely organise national localised cavalcades once again. We as an organisation are very well aware of the current situation the independence movement finds itself in. We miss our marches and rallies, our events and gatherings, our choices and all the freedoms that we had pre-Covid.

“With all of these indicators going in the right direction, Sim has considered how we can, while continuing to follow all Government guidelines, bring back a sense of optimism for the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections on Thursday, May 6.

“Our determination in continuing our fight for Scotland’s independence remains our number one objective. We need to bring together a safe gathering of independence activists, whilst maintaining social distancing, not only with ourselves but others and our wider community, while keeping our focus on independence.

“We are calling on every Yes group, every independence supporter, every activist in each and every area to organise a convoy for the upcoming elections. We are reaching out to all political parties who believe in an independent Scotland to take part. Every local branch to send at least one car or more that has your branch’s public address system attached that can drive around, sending out the message to vote for your independence party on May 6.”

All cavalcades will set off at 1pm for an hour to drive around a city, town, or village. In the second hour each cavalcade will break into smaller groups and drive around constituencies.

Sim added: “Get in touch with the Sim page if you’re willing to organise a cavalcade in your local area. Even if it’s just one person driving around that’s all that we ask you to do to campaign during this pandemic.”

Already announced meeting points are Matalan in Dumfries, The Peel Centre, Lockerbie Road; Showcase Cinema at Glasgow, Barrbridge Leisure Centre; Camperdown Leisure Park in Dundee, Kingsway West; Bridge of Dee’s Asda top-level car park and Stonehaven Leisure Centre in Stonehaven, Queen Elizabeth Park.

More locations will be announced in the coming weeks.