Human rights lawyer to speak at Scottish independence rally

Anwar will speak at the Believe in Scotland event at Calton Hill on March 28 alongside the First Minister of Scotland, the co-leaders of the Scottish Greens, actor Brian Cox and journalist Lesley Riddoch.

The renowned Scottish lawyer – who spoke at a rally in the same location in 2013 – recently appeared in the film Everybody To Kenmure Street and was credited as the man who intervened in the 2021 incident which saw the men released into his custody.

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He has represented several high-profile cases in Scotland – including being lead solicitor for the Scottish Covid Bereaved Group and the family of Sheku Bayoh.

Commenting ahead of the rally, Anwar said: “No politician or banker really knows what the future holds for us, but anything must be better than the decades of austerity we have experienced. As voters we have never had any say in whether Westminster does away with the NHS, the welfare state, joins in the next illegal war, never mind using Scottish airports as staging posts for US bombers.

“People should ask a simple question who actually runs this country – who elected financiers and captains of industry to give us daily lectures on fiscal responsibility, after they very nearly destroyed the UK economy out of unrestrained greed.

“There is one cast-iron guarantee I can give if Scotland was independent, and that is Westminster will no longer have the right to dictate what we should think, create or produce. We will no longer be told we cannot govern ourselves, from warfare to welfare, from employment to foreign policy from cradle to grave. We will have the right to decide our own destiny."

Lawyer Aamer Anwar in a still from the first series of The Firm (Image: BBC Scotland)

He added: “I want to live in a nuclear free Scotland, for Scotland to stand as a beacon for human rights around the world, with a justice system worthy of a civilised society."

Believe in Scotland does not support any political party but last year signed an agreement with the SNP to "work together to advance independence as the democratic will of the Scottish people".

Marchers will gather from 11.30am on the Royal Mile by Parliament Square before setting off at midday. Soar Alba Pipes and Drums will lead the way down the Royal Mile and then to Calton Hill.

The march is expected to arrive at Calton Hill around 1.20pm and the rally will begin shortly after.

BiS founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp said: “Aamer Anwar is one of Scotland’s most fearless champions for justice and human rights.

“A renowned civil rights lawyer, Aamer has dedicated his career to standing up for those denied power, dignity, and a fair hearing, and has represented victims and clients in many of Scotland's highest-profile cases.

“Aamer brings courage and conviction to every platform he speaks from, and communicates with rare clarity and passion."