This Saturday, Scots will gather in Edinburgh to march for an independent Scotland in the EU, at a rally organised by our friends from Yes for EU and Believe in Scotland.
The march will once again reaffirm the democratic will of our Scottish friends to break free from the shackles of Brexit, take charge of their own destiny, and rejoin the EU as an independent country. And while these demands aren’t new, the passion to push for them continues to feel fresh.
The rally itself presents, in the words of our friend and Yes for EU co-organiser Morag Williamson, an opportunity to “get people really motivated into campaigning again with enthusiasm”.
Without a doubt, the lineup of speakers certainly promises to energise hearts and minds. The rally will be the first major grassroots independence event to be addressed by Scotland’s new First Minister Humza Yousaf, who will be joined by the wonderful actor (and recent star of Succession) Brian Cox, folk singer Iona Fyfe, Lorna Slater from the Scottish Greens, Jamie Hepburn SNP MSP, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, Linda Jackson, and the beating heart of Scottish independence movement (and advisor to Europe for Scotland) Lesley Riddoch.
Europe for Scotland, too, has been invited to address the rally, and we’re delighted to say that our lead French representative Claude Detrez will fly to Scotland to address the rally on our behalf.
At a time when the Tory government in Westminster continues to push racist policies in a failed attempt to distract from the disastrous state of the country, at a time when the Labour leader is scared to put a foot wrong with Conservative voters whilst ignoring the very Labour members that elected him and the English progressives that he assumes have no alternative choice, at this very time Scots are pushing with vigour for an alternative future that is democratic, green and European. As Lesley Riddoch writes: “It’s time for real activism and real vigorous debate. And happily, the recent change in SNP leadership makes that possible. Not inevitable, not already in the bag and maybe with the dead weight of precedent, not even likely. But possible.”
If you’re in Scotland and don’t want to miss your chance to make your voice heard and to hear Lesley, our ambassador Claude Detrez, signatory of our open letter Brian Cox, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, and all the other fantastic speakers, you can join the march at Johnston Terrace by Edinburgh Castle at 1.30pm, or gather outside the Scottish Parliament, where the subsequent rally will be taking place.
We’re sure that if the turnout is high, the eyes of Europe will be on Scotland and Europeans will continue to feel inspired by the Scottish people’s tireless determination to stand up and demand respect for their democratic will.
For as long as you want our support you may count on it. We Europeans will not let Scotland down. Brexit must not be Scotland’s destiny.
Vive l’Écosse libre et européenne!
