ALL Under One Banner has called a “safe and static” rally at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh a week today, from 2pm to 4pm.

In one word, AUOB will be demanding that the newly elected Scottish Government uses the mandate won in last week’s election for a second independence referendum. That word is NOW.

Neil Mackay, national organiser of AUOB, said: “The central issue in the recent Holyrood election was independence, and the results show enormous levels of support for exercising the right to decide as a matter of urgency.”

Mackay emphasises that anyone wishing to attend must observe physical distancing, wear face coverings and keep good hand and respiratory hygiene.

He said: “As always everyone who supports independence is welcome, it doesn’t matter which political party you voted for or are a member of, or indeed if you are not party political at all.

“It is imperative that after the recent election the Yes movement comes together and gets back out there, making headway at overcoming our partisan differences in support of the cause we all agree on – that Scotland must become an independent country.

“We can’t wait years for a referendum when the full powers of independence are vital to Scotland’s recovery. We can’t wait years for a referendum when the full powers of independence are critical for taking effective climate action now. The reality is we don’t have to wait years for a referendum when the power to make change happen is in our hands.”

The Pollokshields victory over the Home Office is inspirational, says Mackay: “The authorities are at the command of the people if only people would unite and take direct action- as witnessed at the powerful Pollokshields protest on Thursday against the inhumane raid by the UK Home office on citizens of Glasgow.

“As such it’s time for the Yes movement to start getting organised towards intensifying the campaign with peaceful civil disobedience actions to force a referendum.

“This is because the people of Scotland cannot rely on Westminster to respect the democratic will of

the Scottish people or indeed the courts to act in our favour, with such tactics conceding that the UK Government has authority when Scotland’s future is Scotland’s right to decide as a self-determining sovereign people.

“Therefore AUOB has called this emergency rally to demand that the Scottish Government does not waste this historic opportunity but instead presses ahead with IndyRef2 now.

“Join us on Saturday, May 22 outside the Parliament to hear a broad range of political speakers and entertainment as we Rally for indyref2 Now!

“The fight for independence is on.”