No backing down over pro-indy rally
EMERGENCY services could declare a major incident in Glasgow after organisers of a potentially 100,000strong pro-independence rally refused to change their start time.
Police and fire chiefs are warning All Under One Banner’s plans to march from Kelvingrove Park to Glasgow Green on Saturday, May 4 could have a significant, detrimental impact on the city centre.
Organisers have been called to a Glasgow City Council hearing on Tuesday, where councillors are urged to impose an 11am start.
But All Under One Banner has refused this change, insisting the march will go ahead at 1pm as advertised.
Council staff, police officers and fire representatives met with the organisation last month.
“The organiser made it clear that arrangements for the procession were already made and that estimated numbers are expected to be significantly greater than the 20,000 advised on the notification,” revealed Director of Governance and Solicitor to the Council, Carole Forrest.
Her report stated All Under One Banner had advised “given the level of participation in similar processions in 2018 and the current political climate, the estimation may well be approaching 100,000 participants”.
Police have called for the earlier start time to reduce the “detrimental effect” so many marchers would have on the city centre at peak time on a Saturday.
While Scottish Fire and Rescue said, if no changes were made to the procession, “a major incident would have to be declared to manage a response to any incident in the city centre”.
Ms Forrest said: “The organiser advised that should the council persist in its obstruction to the democratic rights of the organisation, he would withdraw his notified procession and cause the procession to continue by anonymous social media posts, removing any responsibility from All Under One Banner.”
No permission has been given to the pro-independence group to use Glasgow Green unless they comply with park rules.
However, due to the potential numbers involved the police and the council will allow use of the parks for meeting and dispersal.
The processions committee are also advised to agree the route should be Kelvingrove Park, Kelvin Way, Sauchiehall Street, Pitt Street, West George Street, Blythswood Square, West George Street, Nelson Mandela Place, West George Street, George Square, George Street, High Street, Saltmarket and Glasgow Green.
Neil Mackay, a spokesman for All Under One Banner, said: “We submitted our notification 12 months ago.
“We are very well behaved and have a stewarding team in place. We are happy to work with the council ahead of the event.”