Thousands marched in Edinburgh yesterday, calling for Scottish independence, with a possible British exit from the European Union just weeks away and calls growing for a fresh vote in Scotland on breaking from Britain.
The demonstrators, many carrying Scottish flags, some wearing kilts and a few playing musical instruments – including bagpipes – set off from Holyrood Park in the heart of the Scottish capital.
Among them was lawyer and Scottish Nationalist (SNP) lawmaker Joanna Cherry, who was behind one of the successful legal challenges to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament.
She was also one of main backers of a law passed last month forcing Johnson to ask the European Union for more time to avoid crashing out of the EU without a deal.
The group organising yesterday’s march, “All Under One Banner”, said that they were hoping to get 100,000 people to attend.
Cherry said 250,000 supporters took part.
“What a day! 250,000 behind us marching for independence,” she tweeted from the event.
Scotland voted against independence in a 2014 referendum by 55%.
But nationalists argue that the 2016 British referendum in favour of Brexit means another independence referendum is necessary – because Scotland voted by 62% to stay in the EU.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, has argued that Brexit will devastate the economy.
She has warned that she plans to hold a referendum on Scottish independence within two years should Britain leave the European Union.
On Wednesday, she accused Prime Minister Johnson of trying to withdraw Britain from the bloc without an exit agreement.
“For Scotland, the fundamental point remains – [Johnson’s] proposals would take us out of the EU, single market and customs union against our will,” Sturgeon said.
Nationalists also argue that some people voted against independence thinking it would guarantee their place inside the EU.
Sturgeon, who wants a second independence referendum in 2021, was unable to attend the march, but tweeted a message of support.
“Good luck to everyone marching for independence in Edinburgh,” she wrote. “I’m not able to be there in person today, but I will be with you in spirit. Have a great day. And be in no doubt – independence is coming.”
Some independence activists also joined the march, while a few pro-Union protesters carrying Union Jack flags staged a small counter-demonstration.