AN ORGANISED march for Scottish independence has been postponed as the group doesn’t want to clash with a counter-protest planned for a far-right rally the same day.
All Under One Banner (AUOB) planned a march for September 7 in Edinburgh but have agreed to reschedule the event after Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) organised a demonstration on the same day in Glasgow.
The two groups wanted to avoid any scheduling clashes to maximise an anti-fascist turnout at their events.
The pro-independence group said they wanted to work together with SUTR to show unity and that a rescheduled date will soon be announced once Edinburgh Council confirms it.
A spokesperson for AUOB said: “AUOB’s decision to postpone its Edinburgh demonstration exemplifies the values of the Scottish people, who have a long and proud tradition of opposing racism and fascism.
“Big numbers are required for the counter protest at George square, and this can only happen with Scotland united, so we simply cannot march in Edinburgh on the same day that this is taking place in Glasgow. We will soon update everyone in due course the new date for this year's Edinburgh march once confirmed with Edinburgh council.
“We are committed as independence campaigners to working together in unity with the trade unions, and wider Scottish civic society to make sure that the politics of hate and division are opposed and stopped now.
“AUOB will be at Glasgow on 7 September uniting with Stand up to Racism, because Glasgow is our city, Scotland is our country, and refugees are welcome here, but Nazis are not. Be there!”
A counterprotest was organised for September 7 after Tommy Robinson and other far-right figures promoted a Unionist demonstration in Glasgow amid a wave of unrest in England.
Robinson had shared an image promoting a rally in Glasgow’s George Square which said: “This will remain a peaceful protest to share our distrust and fear of the future.”
However, there has been a slew of riots in England and Northern Ireland over the weekend by the far-right as they targeted mosques and hotels which reportedly housed asylum-seekers.
A spokesperson for SUTR Scotland said the best way to stand up against fascism is through numbers and praised AUOB's decision to postpone the planned march in Edinburgh.
They said: “We commend AUOB's decision to postpone their long-planned demonstration in Edinburgh to enable followers to join the vital anti-fascist and anti-racist presence in Glasgow on the same day.
“The far-right mobilisation we will be opposing in Glasgow is disguised as a 'pro-UK' rally to 'defend our country', but this is a rallying call for all those who, inspired by the violent Islamophobic far-right riots from Southport to Sunderland, want to make society less united, safe and diverse. It is organised by forces that are far-right, racist and Islamophobic and who have the backing of 'Tommy Robinson', one of the figureheads of Britain's fascist movement.
“The best way to oppose them is through unity and mass numbers standing in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbours and other communities targeted by their violence - showing that the overwhelming majority of our society reject their racist and divisive message.
“SUTR wants to unite all who want to oppose them. All anti-fascists, regardless of what they think about Scottish independence or other matters, should come together in George Square on 7 September.
“AUOB's decision makes an important contribution towards this unity and we urge everyone to act in the same spirit.”
