AN independence event which will see Yes supporters linked hand in hand across the breadth of the central belt will be like no other ever held in Scotland, organisers have promised.
A small team of grassroots activists led by Judith Reid and Wilma Bowie from Inverness have been working hard to coordinate the Chain of Freedom Scotland (COFS) event set to be held on October 14.
The pair of “highland quines” are calling on independence supporters to put any party political differences of opinion aside and galvanise unity within the Yes movement.
Reid said: “The Chain of Freedom Scotland is, without doubt, one of the biggest challenges in organisational terms for our independence movement.
“We hope to galvanise a chain of independence supporters, with their saltires, to link hand to hand the breadth of the central belt - East to West, Bowling Harbour, Bowling to Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh.
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“A distance of approximately 66 miles, which should take around 77,000 people to complete the chain.
“The route to be used is the canal/cycle path (NCR754) - which the team are dividing into 11 sections with subsections of approximately a mile each.”
It is expected that participants will link up for around 20 minutes at 12:30 on the day of the action, giving photographers, drone pilots and media outlets the opportunity to record the chain and interview those involved.
Bowie thanked the activists and celebrities who had already helped promote the event.
She said: “The support that we are receiving for this event has been amazing and is growing by the day.
“We have actor Alan Cumming’s support, he made a wonderful promotional video for us.
“Lesley Riddoch, journalist and writer, continues to assist us with advice and introductions to her network of professionals and colleagues, that are now also working alongside us for this event.
“Of course, not to be forgotten, is our amazing Silent Clansman who pops up all over the country to do promo videos for us.
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“Independence Live, Scottish Independent Podcasters, Scottish Passport Video Record and Saorsa have been amazing with promotional interviews and videos and some will also be filming ‘lives’ and making a short programme about the Chain of Freedom Scotland on the day."
She added: “It’s great to also be working alongside other Independence groups such as AUOB, Yes2, Salvo and a network of Yes Groups/Hubs.
"We are really all leading by example. This is how the Yes movement can be - if the will to work together for independence is strong enough”.
Organisers say politicians from all sides of the pro-independence spectrum have already agreed to attend.
Furthermore, a group from Sweden are already planning to travel with InverYess to support the action with others booking flights from Australia and the USA.
Individuals and groups are being asked to register their intention to attend on the COFS official website: www.chainoffreedom.scot
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