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Scottish independence: Thousands march in support of Scottish independence | Scottish independence: Thousands march in support of Scottish independence |
(32 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people have marched through Edinburgh in support of Scottish independence. | Thousands of people have marched through Edinburgh in support of Scottish independence. |
There was a carnival atmosphere as they waved flags and banners from Holyrood Park to a rally in The Meadows. | |
Joanna Cherry, the SNP MP who led the legal fight against Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament, is among those who addressed the rally. | |
Earlier Nicola Sturgeon tweeted to say she would be at the march "in spirit" but not in person. | Earlier Nicola Sturgeon tweeted to say she would be at the march "in spirit" but not in person. |
"Be in no doubt - independence is coming", she added. | |
Organisers All Under One Banner (AUOB) said more than 200,000 people took part in the event. | |
Gary Kelly, of AUOB, said: "It's buzzing - the rain may be on but the people are not deterred. | |
"Our appetite for independence is still alive." | "Our appetite for independence is still alive." |
However, neither Police Scotland nor the City of Edinburgh Council was able to give an independent estimate of numbers. | |
Following a similar event last year, AUOB said there was a crowd of 100,000 but the council later estimated that 20,000 marchers took part. | |
The route ran along Queens Drive, Horse Wynd, Canongate, High Street, Lawnmarket, George IV bridge, Forrest Road and Middle Meadow Walk. | The route ran along Queens Drive, Horse Wynd, Canongate, High Street, Lawnmarket, George IV bridge, Forrest Road and Middle Meadow Walk. |
Images show Edinburgh's iconic landmarks and streets packed with thousands of campaigners and a sea of Saltire flags. | |
Chants of "What do we want? Independence" could be heard as marches made their way up the Royal Mile. | Chants of "What do we want? Independence" could be heard as marches made their way up the Royal Mile. |
Harry Baird, 19, was among those taking part. He said he wanted to join what he believed would be the biggest rally in the country's history. | Harry Baird, 19, was among those taking part. He said he wanted to join what he believed would be the biggest rally in the country's history. |
The apprentice marine engineer from Orkney said: "There's a lot more than I thought I would see, to be honest. | The apprentice marine engineer from Orkney said: "There's a lot more than I thought I would see, to be honest. |
"[I want] more radical and instant Scottish independence. | "[I want] more radical and instant Scottish independence. |
"Any change from what it is now would be worth it." | "Any change from what it is now would be worth it." |
Gemma MacFadyen has backed Scottish independence since she was a child. The 34-year-old from Edinburgh said: "I'm here to support the cause for independence. | Gemma MacFadyen has backed Scottish independence since she was a child. The 34-year-old from Edinburgh said: "I'm here to support the cause for independence. |
"To be honest, after the last referendum I was a bit deflated and disenfranchised and I was not going to be taking part anymore." | "To be honest, after the last referendum I was a bit deflated and disenfranchised and I was not going to be taking part anymore." |
However, she said a recent trip to the west coast of Scotland "re-inspired" her, and so she decided to join Saturday's march. | However, she said a recent trip to the west coast of Scotland "re-inspired" her, and so she decided to join Saturday's march. |
She continued: "I've not really been caught up in the whole Brexit debate, I'm not bothered about that. | She continued: "I've not really been caught up in the whole Brexit debate, I'm not bothered about that. |
"But I am for another independence referendum, as soon as possible - it should've been ages ago." | "But I am for another independence referendum, as soon as possible - it should've been ages ago." |
Ahead of her speech to the rally, Joanna Cherry MP described the event as party for the grassroots supporters of the independence movement. | |
She told BBC Scotland: "I'm not expecting anyone's minds to be changed on independence today, that's done by conversations on the doorsteps. | |
"But this is one opportunity for the Yes movement to get together in celebration and despite the rain I think there's been a fantastic turn out." | |
Earlier this year Nicola Sturgeon said she would demand Holyrood was given the power to hold a second referendum on independence. | |
The SNP is expected to put its opposition to Brexit and its desire for another poll at the centre of its manifesto in the event of a snap election. | |
But Boris Johnson outlined his opposition to the plan at the Conservative party conference, claiming more referendums would cause "total national discord". |