ALL Under One Banner (AUOB) has detailed the safety measures and advice for an anti-nuclear weapons static rally to take place at the Faslane naval base where Trident is based.
The protest by the group best known for its independence marches has been backed by a number of CND groups including Scottish CND and SNP CND.
The rally will assemble at 1pm on Saturday, August 28.
AUOB said: “All vehicles will park at Faslane Cemetery Car Park (200 metres from the north gate). Coaches will drop off passengers at the north gate before being directed to park by Police Scotland. Coaches and all other vehicles will leave after the rally ends 3pm.
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“AUOB stewards will facilitate the short walk from the cemetery in manageable groups. The rally will take place at north gate entrance to the naval base from 1pm- 3pm. The north gate will be closed from 11am-3.30pm to facilitate the set-up, execution and take-down of the Rally.
“Coach tickets are still available to buy from Now Scotland for coaches going from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
3/ Coach tickets are still available to buy from Now Scotland for coaches going from Glasgow and Edinburgh:https://t.co/E9GYQGd06jhttps://t.co/BBemia3mfu
— All Under One Banner (@AUOBNOW) August 21, 2021
“AUOB is encouraging participants to use public transport if possible. The local 316 bus from Helensburgh to the North Gate Rally site is a regular service leaving every 30 minutes from bus stops along East Princes Street/West Princes Street.
“Stalls can be set up at the Faslane rally near the bus stop which is adjacent to the north gate entrance to the base. AUOB stewards will provide guidance on the day.
“AUOB will have a stewards team working on the day to ensure a safe and smooth running of the demonstration. We have been closely liaising with Police Scotland on all aspects of our plans. The Stewards briefing will take place at 12.30pm at the entrance to the cemetery carpark.
“AUOB is not providing toilet facilities at the north gate rally site, and so we advise everyone who is attending to be aware of this and make necessary arrangements prior to and after the demonstration.
“Rally participants are welcome to drop by the Faslane Peacecamp (which has been in situ since 1982) before or after the demonstration.
“Public safety is of paramount importance and as such we ask that all participants be aware of the busy road and traffic, taking care to behave responsibly (ensuring all litter is taken away) and in a manner befitting the Yes movement.”
The group has previously set out its reasoning for the static rally.
AUOB explained: “The rally will be addressed by a number of speakers from across the movement including independence campaigners, anti-war activists, representatives from trade unions, environmental campaigners and anti-racist activists.
“Former Rear Admiral John Gower has speculated that if Scotland becomes independent then Trident would have to be based in France or the US. This is because there are allegedly no alternative places in the rest of the UK to site the nuclear submarines and warheads.
“Nuclear weapons are massively destructive and indiscriminate. They put us all at risk. The fact that they are based in Scotland, without the agreement of the Scottish Government and without the support of the Scottish people exemplifies the need for Scottish independence.
“An encouraging development has been the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This is a treaty which prohibits the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons as well as providing assistance and encouragement to the prohibited activities.
“It came into effect January 2021 with the support of 122 countries across the world. The treaty has not been signed by any country that itself has nuclear weapons or any state which is a member of Nato.
“This raises a problem for the Scottish Government. When Scotland becomes an independent country the Government has indicated that Scotland would sign up to TPNW. However it’s also SNP policy that Scotland remains part of Nato. We cannot have it both ways. Either Scotland removes nuclear weapons or remains part of a nuclear alliance.
“This reinforces the need for all of us committed to independence and a nuclear free Scotland to continue to campaign and take to the streets.”
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