MORE than 80 Yes groups from across the country have signed up to take part in the mass Day of Action for Independence being organised by Believe in Scotland along with The National.
It is hoped the event, set to take place on September 18 – the seventh anniversary of the referendum in 2014 – will “fire the starting gun on a major co-ordinated grassroots independence campaign” that will run until indyref2 takes place.
The Day of Action will see a host of events being staged throughout Scotland, from street stalls and coffee mornings to food bank drives and musical events.
The Yes groups have also committed to delivering more than 150,000 leaflets through doors on the day – especially in key areas.
READ MORE: Common Weal study reveals key factors in polling shifts for Yes vote
Organisers say the groups will share the same aim: “to convince voters that a Yes result will give Scotland the chance to emerge from the pandemic as a stronger, more equal country with justice, fairness and diversity at the heart of a resurgent economy”.
Believe in Scotland are organising the day in collaboration with the National Yes Network, the Scottish Independence Foundation and The National.
Every Yes group that registers to participate in the Day of Action will receive a free campaign and fundraising pack worth between £125 and £250, depending on the size of the group.
It is hoped the local groups will be able to sell items – such as the copies of the Scotland the Brief book included in the packs – and raise as much as £20,000 for themselves.
Believe in Scotland founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp said 86 Yes groups had so far committed to taking part, and he expected that number to grow to more than 100 before the big day.
He urged the movement to get behind the initiative, and said: “It would be great if everyone could join in and help their local Yes group.
“Even hanging a Saltire from a window, digging out an old Yes sign or just sharing the key messages we post on social media during the day allows everyone to take part.
“This won’t just be a one-off day of action, rather it will fire the starting gun on a major co-ordinated grassroots independence campaign that will run until we win independence in indyref2.
"The indy movement needs a shot in the arm; it needs a major boost. Too much internal wrangling among the supporters of pro-independence political parties online in combination with lockdowns has demotivated many Yes supporters and this will get the movement going again”.
READ MORE: Study suggests more Conservative voters support indy than Scots Tories exist
“There is obviously a risk that a circuit breaker lockdown will be required, but if that’s the case, we have contingency plans to move everything online and then hit the streets again as soon as we can”.
MacIntyre-Kemp said he hopes the event will galvanise supporters to recapture the energy of the movement, saying: “It’s time to stop complaining and start campaigning.”
He continued: “Even if you are one of those in the movement who voice suspicions that the SNP don’t really want to hold a referendum, you must realise that the best message you can send is that the grassroots are up and running, firing on all cylinders and ready to win this time.”
Believe in Scotland is a campaigning organisation that arose from Business for Scotland, the pro-independence business network.
Having been launched in January last year, the organisation has grown to include more than 15,000 subscribers, pledgers and stakeholder members.
Local Yes groups can still join the grassroots-supporting organisation by emailing Believe in Scotland, or getting in touch via their representative to the National Yes Network.
Individuals can pledge their support for the organisation via www.believeinscotland.org/pledge
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel