THE Yes movement must show a united front, in stark contrast to the infighting and division on display on Downing Street, a pro- independence organiser has said after announcing plans for two demonstrations.
Yes2Indee’s Gary Kelly is pulling together two marches to galvanise the pro-independence movement ahead of the second referendum.
The first event will take place in early August, while the second is planned for the weekend before the Scottish Government’s intended date for indyref2 in October 2023.
Yes2Indee have invited people to meet at Festival Park, on the south of the River Clyde opposite the Ovo Hydro, on August 6 2022. From there, protesters will head to Gallowgate Park in Glasgow’s east end.
Kelly, Yes2Indee’s national coordinator, said the route had been chosen as it was “one of the most visual” the city had to offer.
Further details of the march will be announced closer to the time, but the Saor Alba Pipes & Drums will be in attendance.
Kelly went on: “The numbers of people attending events are slowly but surely creeping up again. Now that a date [for indyref2] has been set in stone I think the desire is creeping back a wee bit as well.
“It’s a time for unity, none of this SNP or Alba carry-on, it’s a time for unity. The idea of trying to unite the movement, to pull everyone back together, even the Greens, I’ll continue to try and touch base with them as well, they’ve got a lot of good speakers.
“We’ve got to show we’re better than [the Tory chaos at Westminster] at the end of the day.”
He said it was key to show Boris Johnson – and whoever his replacement as Conservative leader may be – that it is not for them to say “now is not the time”.
“We’re saying now is the time. It’s not for the prime minister of basically another country to tell us when we can hold an independence referendum.”
Yes2Indee’s second event is planned for October 14 2023, just five days before Nicola Sturgeon’s government is aiming to hold indyref2.
Campaign group All Under One Banner (AUOB) have announced plans for a similar pre-referendum rally in Edinburgh on the same date, but Yes2Indee said this wouldn’t be an issue.
Kelly said: “From a personal point of view tactically this could be advantageous. Having two events in the two biggest cities on the same day will work, I’m positive both events will be massive.
“This gives people who can’t afford to travel far an option and with that option a chance to display a better front. I’m sure both will have amazing lineups as Scotland has an amazing array of talent.
“From all sides of the country, let’s make the events as big as possible because we know the world is watching.”
Notification of the 2023 event, which is anticipated to run from Kelvin Way to Glasgow Green, has been lodged with the Glasgow events committee.
Yes2Indee have urged anyone who will be in attendance who may be willing to help with stewarding to get in touch.
