Thread by @AUOBNOW

Yesterday Edinburgh City Council decided to refuse permission for All Under One Banner (AUOB) to hold a march from Calton Hill to the Parliament, taking place tomorrow 25 September. (1)

The reason given was that a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order requires a minimum of 8 weeks. Earlier this week justification by Council officials for refusing this route was given to be due to objections by Police. (2)

Police in Edinburgh have since said they are willing to facilitate the march from Calton Hill, however the Council yesterday refused to change their decision. (3)

AUOB first submitted a request for a demonstration in Edinburgh in January this year. We subsequently moved the date of the march forwards by one week and then amended the route to alleviate the concerns of Council officials. (4)

The reason we have reached this stage in the process, with only one day to go, is the direct consequence of the prevarication and obstruction by both Police and Council- blatant Political interference. (5)

This is an attack on the independence movement’s right to demonstrate and to raise the issue of Scottish independence with the wider public, yet Edinburgh Council is controlled by a joint SNP/Labour administration. (6)

This attack on the Yes movement is an attempt to side-line and demobilise us- a decision that will not succeed. Taken along with the pending prohibition of demonstrations at the Scottish Parliament, this represents clear interference with our democratic rights. (7)

Independence supporters have correctly compared how the bigoted Orange Order have been permitted to march unhindered through the streets of Scotland on sensitive routes which are known to cause fear and alarm to local communities. (8)

Despite the injustice, on this occasion, we will comply and proceed with a march through the Galloping Glen- as we are putting the safety of Yes supporters first and will not fall into the trap of forcing people to make the decision between joining a legal or illegal march. (9)

Therefore we are asking marchers to gather early at the Commonwealth Pool Grounds for the march starting at 12.30pm sharp. We will proceed to the Scottish Parliament where we will hold a Rally starting at 1pm. (10)

It is now more important than ever that there is a massive turnout tomorrow, and so we call for maximum attendance from the broad Yes movement to make loud and clear the fight for independence, and indeed for our civil and democratic rights, is on. (11)

This is a key opportunity to keep up the pressure on the Scottish Government to take urgent, decisive action on independence, as well to make it explicit to the British State that we have the power and the resolve to make Scotland ungovernable for the UK Government. (12)

AUOB will soon be submitting a notification for a march through Edinburgh City centre for a maximum impact, high visibility route involving Princes Street- so watch this space. (13)

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. The March for Independence is on! #AUOBEdinburgh (14)

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