ALL Under One Banner (AUOB) has accused the Scottish media of being “Unionist spin doctors” who “lied to Nicola Sturgeon” in order to provoke a negative reaction to their planned independence demonstrations.
During her daily briefing, the First Minister was asked by a journalist: “We have seen All Under One Banner talking about holding a series of pro-independence marches starting on July 20 in Edinburgh.
“What impact would these kind of gatherings have on efforts to keep the virus suppressed?”
Sturgeon replied: “They will potentially jeopardise the efforts to keep the virus suppressed. As things stand right now, these kinds of mass gatherings are not advised, in fact we strongly advise against them and there are legal enforcement powers as I said in my opening remarks.
“My advice to anybody, whether it’s All Under One Banner or anybody else protesting for any other reason, or people wanting to gather in the sunshine in Kelvingrove Park – please don’t do it. because you are putting our progress at risk and if our progress starts to go backwards lives are at risk.”
But AUOB say that the question was misleading – because all of their planned events will comply with social distancing regulations.
The group have said that it “can and will safely stage one socially distanced static demo every month until such a time that we can call a mass gathering as a march – which will be one point after Phase 4 has begun”.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon urges AUOB not to hold independence demonstrations
The first demonstration AUOB is organising is to take place on July 20 outside Holyrood and “will have 129 participants – symbolically representative of the MSP’s in the parliament” and “of Our Right To Decide”.
Pro-independence campaigners wishing to take part in the protest must register with AUOB, which will then “select participants based on their geographical proximity and getting a balance between individuals and ‘social bubbles’ of various sizes”.
Further demonstrations are planned for August 19 at Bannockburn field and September 17 at George Square. AUOB said people will need to apply separately to each “static” protest, and “each one [will be] symbolic in its own way”.
The group added: “Safety is paramount. Face coverings are mandatory, hand sanitizers will be provided, social distancing observed.”
In her daily press conference, the SNP leader expressed sympathy for those wanting to protest against important political issues during the pandemic.
“I understand,” she said. “I’ve been a political activist since I was 16 years old, I’m a politician, I know how important protest is, I know how important democratic expression is – not just at elections but through marches and gatherings.
“I’ve taken part in more of these over my life than I can count. But right now they are risky – so find other ways to make your views known. I’m not asking people not to make their views known. Of course I’m not. But do it in other ways. Do it in safe ways.
“If we jeopardise this progress we’ll all be under these restrictions for a lot longer.”
Responding to the journalist’s question, AUOB tweeted: “Scottish political editor of @thetimesscot – today lied to @NicolaSturgeon at the #COVID19 briefing, stating #AUOB marches are soon going ahead.
“He ought to apologise to @ScotGovFM. @AUOBALBA shall operate in line with @scotgov route map out of lockdown.
“You can tell that the Unionist spin doctors are really rattled when they mislead the @ScotGovFM live on TV at the daily briefing.
“AUOB marches have not been arranged to take place over the summer.”
@KieranPAndrews- the Scottish political editor of @thetimesscot- today Lied to @NicolaSturgeon at the #COVID19 briefing, stating #AUOB marches are soon going ahead. He ought to apologise to @ScotGovFM. @AUOBALBA shall operate in line with @scotgov Route map out of Lockdown.
— All Under One Banner (@AUOBALBA) June 26, 2020
The group had to cancel its planned series of marches and rallies through Scotland’s cities amid the pandemic and has been holding regular online talks on independence issues since.
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