Saturday 31st March, What a Great Day!
Just attended the Independence 1st March and Rally in Edinburgh - what a lovely day weather wise, and what a great mix of people as we walked all the way from Market Street to Holyrood, via Princess Street and then the Royal Mile. A good warm reception from the public too along the way.
These pictures (below) and the short video of the march (at youscotland.tv), pretty much tell the story. Maybe not huge in numbers ( c. 500) but big in sprit and colour, with people for all walks of life, age and political outlook - and a few from overseas, uniting behind one simple demand: Irrespective of the outcome of May's Holyrood elections, it should be the people not the politians that decide on Scotland's future through a straightforward referendum question - "Scottish Independence - Yes or No?"
It was a great place also to meet lots of old friends and to make more than a few new ones. There was a definite bounce in the air at this all-party/non-party rally for self-detemination at the gates of Holyrood - a shared beief that when we are next back here, it wil be to an altogether different, better place. The rally itself was highly entertaning, so much so that day visitors to the Holyrood building who heard the music and saw the colour joined in. From Korea to Canada they will now be supporting our referendum demand!
Some great performances too - actress Joyce Falconer of the BBC's River City ( she can fair sing and play!) ,Dick Gaughan, Ted Christopher, Dougie Mclean, Katherine Polwart and Mouse Eats Mouse. But for me, and I think mot people. the highlight of the concert was the performance by Scottish/Jamaican/Leith Reggae band Project Bona Fide and its lead singer Natalie Hendry who sported a cool saltire dress specially made for the occassion. Great music - hear some of the band's demo tracks via this MySpace link. TA sinle is due out in late April - Scotland's next big export me thinks See the actual performance and that dress revealed on video. About 8 minutes but woth every second . Keep watching ( the sound quality improves) and they save the best for last - William Wallace meet Bob Marley, with Jamae Connolly wacthing outside the gate of Holyrood! You coud not script it, but it all happens here at an Independence 1st rally in 2007
A big thanks to all the Independence 1st organisers - Eric Canning its convener and stalwart of the former Campaign for a Scottish Parliament just keeps on going! And to someone up there who must be on our side - the sun shone all day and it felt li.ke July. Most of us left with sun tans to prove it.
If you were there and have any pics or video you's like to add, just e-mail us what you have and we will do our best to post it - or blog some text below of your own impressions and experiences of the day.
Video of March on Princess Street View
Alan Smart, YouScotland Steering Group
YouScotland.com Steering Group Member Tam McTurk seeks inspiration from a Local Hero at the Market Street rallying point.
Basque and Caledonian flags sparkle in the spring sunshine
91 years on, Edinburgh born James Connolly prepares for another Easter Rising!
The march reaches the Mound
And arrives at Holyrood
Ted Christopher, Dougie McLean, Dick Gaughan and Joyce Faconer perform Dougie McLean's Caldeonia
Leith's Project Bona Fide belt out Soldier, dedicated to freedom fighters - from Wallace to Marley
And the crowd love it!
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