AN estimated 20,000 people marched through Glasgow on Saturday in support of independence.
Organisers from All Under One Banner (AUOB) previously said they expected up to 10,000 people to participate in the rally, but now estimate up to 20,000 people turned out on the day coinciding with the King’s coronation.
The march began in Kelvingrove Park at 11.30am, moved through the city centre and ended at Glasgow Green where the Yes Bikers group welcomed marchers, and stalls from several Yes groups had been set up.
The weather was forecast to be cloudy with a chance of rain and for the majority of the march from the park, it was dry – warm, even. When the rally began, the heavens opened and in true Scottish fashion, the crowd was a bunch of drowned rats by the end of Kevin Gore’s first song.
Along the march, conversation with strangers was littered with discussion of the SNP, the best shield from the rain, a future independence convention, the relationship between sport and politics, independence songs, Yes strategy and how to explain the fight for independence to children.
Several students along the route either didn’t know it was happening or learned from social media in real time, so came out and joined the demonstration.
A pair from Belfast joined the action just past the University of Glasgow and a trio of women from China marching said they had learned the history of Scotland while living here, they had seen the rise in prices, had been surprised by the lack of action from government so looked into the difference in reserved and devolved powers.
I spoke to one mum on the route, Catherine McGuire from Motherwell, who said her two young girls were beginning to understand the whole idea of independence.
She said she explains to them the difference between right and wrong, morals and tolerance as best she can without pressuring opinions on to them.
McGuire said: “I think they are [aware] to a certain extent. It’s hard cause you just try to explain to them about left and right, and how left is more about looking after people in society and that’s what we believe in. Round about this age, we teach them about those morals, and then what an independent Scotland would be for us.
“There’s certainly more awareness at school, especially with talking about the coronation, and they asked if we supported it, and I said, we don’t, but it’s about trying to teach them to be tolerant to all views.”
Getting closer to the rally stage, more Saltires joined the march, carried by those who didn't or couldn't walk the three-mile route, adding to the numbers entering the Green.
John and Cecilia Rees from AyeFyne had travelled from Lochgilphead after recovering from Covid. As the Yes Bikers came into view, Cecilia said she was so happy that they had decided to come, battling both the elements and illness.
John also shared that on last week's Believe in Scotland call with Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn, he had got the feeling the SNP were opening up, providing more opportunity for the movement, and for more rallies like the one we were surrounded by.
At Glasgow Green the speeches began with Lesley Riddoch, who described the atmosphere of the rally to the Sunday National as just like the “good ol’ days”.
Riddoch said: “It’s like the good ol’ days again actually, it’s stupendous. There’s a fantastic number of people, there’s a huge upbeat mood.
“It’s all the little things, the wee dugs that you almost stumble over for about half an hour, the bairns that are totally excited and are running around, the songs, the people waving from the top floor of tenement windows as you come past, speakers all lining up there from different parties – and it’s all fine.
“This is what it needs to be like, it’s all fine. We’ve got a cause and we’re on it.”
Broadcaster and columnist for The National @LesleyRiddoch describes the atmosphere at the independence rally in Glasgow pic.twitter.com/kWbyQw5pri
— The National (@ScotNational) May 6, 2023
Ash Regan MSP and Joanna Cherry MP from the SNP, Robin McAlpine from Common Weal, Alex Salmond and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh from Alba and many more followed Riddoch with words of encouragement, vision and hope for the crowd.
Organisers AUOB had received heavy criticism from parts of the movement regarding individuals speaking at the event. AUOB founder Neil Mackay previously stressed criticism should not be pointed at the group, but at those who didn’t accept the invitation to speak.
Mackay repeated that the Scottish Greens had been invited, as well as several other organisations. There were several Greens and LGBT+ flags in the crowd, even if they were not represented on stage.
The criticism and internal fighting of Yes could not be felt during the march or the rally. The crowd held banners and flags from all sections of Scotland and the independence movement.
