The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sturgeon says Dundee independence rally should not go ahead
Nicola Sturgeon has warned guidance against large gatherings “applies across the board” amid anger over an independence rally set to take place in Dundee next week despite remembrance services being scrapped.
The campaign group All Under One Banner (AUOB), who were behind some of Scotland’ s biggest Yes marches before the coronavirus pandemic, will hold a“rally for independence” in Dundee on October 31.
The event is scheduled to go ahead despite many Armistice Day services across Tayside and Fife being wiped out for the first time in living memory because of fears large gatherings could could spread spread Covid-19.
AUOB insist the outdoor event will not be a “mass gathering” and people have been asked to register their interest to take part in the hour- long “static rally” along with a pledge to follow hygiene and facecovering rules.
Dundee City Council confirmed “no application has been submitted for permission for such an event” and said any application would need to be considered by officials before a decision could be made on whether to let it take place.
But The Courier has learned de tails of the rally were discussed during a private meeting of political group leaders on the council, and AUOB was still advertising registration for the rally on social media yesterday afternoon.
Speaking at her daily briefing, Ms Sturgeon warned coronavirus would spread “regardless of the political affiliation” of any event, and said she could not be clearer that the rules on gatherings apply to everyone.
The SNP leader said: “Generally, everybody should be compliant with restrictions on gatherings right now because that’s in the interests of the health of all of us – so there are no exceptions, in my view, from that.
“There ’s very good reasons why large crowds of people should not be coming together right now. I stand up here every day and say avoid crowded places.
“Unfortunately, that will mean that a lot of traditional remembrance services do not go ahead, not just in Dundee but across the UK, this year.
“Hopefully we will find other ways to commemorate those who have given so much for our collective safety down the years but big gatherings are not a good idea right now.”
Pressed on whether the AUOB event should go ahead, she replied: “I don’t know how to be any clearer. I don’t think big events should be going ahead no matter what for, and I’ve been clear about that all along.”
The public have been warned to stay away from the usual Remembrance
Sunday parades in a move described as “heartbreaking” but the only “sensible option” by Royal British Legion officials.
Small wreath-laying ceremonies will still go ahead and anyone who wishes to leave their own tributes will be able to do so after Legion representatives have left.
AUOB did not respond to questioning from The Courier on whether it planned to go ahead with the rally.
In a statement, they said: “All Under One Banner is fleet of foot, flexible and always looks forward. Our first minister is doing a great job leading the fight against Covid in Scotland and we support her.”