Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Thousands attend independence march in Glasgow

Organisers told the crowd the attendance was estimated to be more than 20,000

Laura Paterson
Saturday 06 May 2023 13:57 BST
Marchers headed to Glasgow Green for a independence rally (Laura Paterson/PA)
Marchers headed to Glasgow Green for a independence rally (Laura Paterson/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Thousands of people have marched through Glasgow in support of Scottish independence.

All Under One Banner – an organisation that campaigns for Scottish independence – told the crowd the estimated attendance was more than 20,000.

Marchers set off from Kelvingrove Park in the city’s west end at around 11.30am – coinciding with the King’s coronation ceremony – to a rally at Glasgow Green.

Former first minister Alex Salmond was among those due to address the crowd.

He was expected to say: “The independent Scotland we seek will be based on equality, not aristocracy, and on human talent and ability, not entitlement of birth.

“We are not looking backwards with Britain but forwards to a better Scotland.”

Earlier in the week the Alba Party leader said Scottish police should have staged a “standoff” outside Edinburgh Castle to prevent the Stone of Destiny from being moved to London for the coronation.

He said such a move could have been used as a bargaining tool in the push for a second independence referendum.

The stone was taken to London last week to be used in the coronation, with First Minister Humza Yousaf attending a ceremony during which it was removed from its resting place at the castle.

The stone has been used to crown monarchs of Scotland – and later the UK – in a tradition dating back centuries.

Mr Yousaf dismissed the suggestion of involving the police, saying it would have “not been the right thing to do”.

Our Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, will also stage a protest in Edinburgh.

The event on Calton Hill includes speeches from Scottish Government minister and Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater, as well as SNP MP Tommy Sheppard and Green MSP Maggie Chapman.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in