ACTIVISTS have confirmed an independence march will go ahead despite a clash with the pro-Yes Chain of Freedom event on October 14.
Yes2Indee are set to hold the It Is Time event in Glasgow on Saturday, October 14 at 12pm – the same day organisers want a chain of an estimated 77,000 people across Scotland to line up on canal paths linking Scotland’s largest city and its capital.
The group said the march will go ahead as “the team have put almost 18 months of work” and for the date’s significance.
Gary Kelly, Yes2Indee’s national coordinator said the October date holds significance both politically and personally.
READ MORE: Yes2indee independence march organiser makes unity appeal amid UK chaos
He said: “This date was selected for two reasons. The first reason was Nicola Sturgeon's speech in 2022, the second is my daughter's birthday. It is the first birthday on a Saturday since Indee Alba Kelly was born 4 years to that date”.
The former first minister's speech in 2022 announced the Scottish Government’s intended date for indyref2 in October 2023.
Saor Alba Pipes and Drums are set to attend the marches which will be led through Glasgow starting at Kelvingrove to Glasgow Green.
One of Europe’s largest women’s drumming ensembles SheBoom will welcome the march into the city centre with a performance of afro-brazilian, samba, african, latin, celtic and european rhythms.
Yes2Indee say the march route has been agreed with the Glasgow events team who have “welcomed us back with open arms - we've built a great working relationship with Glasgow”.
READ MORE: Chain of Freedom plans 'blocked' by Scottish Canals, say organisers
The group note other local authorities such as Aberdeen who place financial barriers on the right to demonstrate by saying: “Basically the poor cannot protest in Aberdeen as the council places red tape with financial barriers on the right to demonstrate event.
“We will not be deterred by this behaviour towards people, and it will be remembered in the history books of an independent Scotland”.
The initial plan for the Chain of Freedom was for it to be 66-miles-long, using Forth, Clyde and Union Canal paths linking Scotland’s largest city and its capital.
The group will now be using the Forth and Clyde Canal path ONLY - cutting the route by an estimated 20 miles.
Organisers told activists disappointed by the decision from Scottish Canals “We overcome and adapt. We will not give up or be discouraged”.
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