Scottish protesters march for independence after SNP election gains in local authorities

Hundreds of pro-independence Scots marched through the street of Glasgow today – after Nicola Sturgeon vowed to use local election results to renew the push for a second referendum.

The march, organised by All Under One Banner, began in Kelvingrove Park around 12.15pm on Saturday.

Scottish independence supporters march through Glasgow during an All Under One Banner march

Hundreds attended the march which was triggered by a new referendum push by Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP

Protecting the Scottish NHS from ‘Tory sell-offs’ was a major theme of the placards seen at the rally in Glasgow today

The march, organised by All Under One Banner, began in Kelvingrove Park around 12.15pm on Saturda

The AUOB issued a statement of intent before the event: ‘On Saturday, we march for independence and rally at George Square

Anti-Tory sentiment was rife in the crowd which marched after Sturgeon said she wanted to set out a new ‘positive case’ for independence

The procession route led those taking part from the West End to the city centre

The AUOB issued a statement of intent before the event: ‘On Saturday, we march for independence and rally at George Square.

‘Make sure to attend this national demonstration which will empower the extra-parliamentary movement, express our defiance of Westminster rule and demand for action in the Scottish Parliament.

‘Be there.’

Banners featured heavy themes of independence being a bulwark to protect NHS Scotland and anti-Tory slogans alongside traditional saltires. 

The procession route led those taking part from the West End to the city centre via Kelvinway, Gibson Street, Eldon Street, Woodlands Road, Sauchiehall Street, Pitt Street, West George Street, Blythswood Square, West George Street, Nelson Mandela Place, West George Street onto George Square, according to the Glasgow Times.

The route followed through Kelvinway, Gibson Street, Eldon Street, Woodlands Road, Sauchiehall Street, Pitt Street, West George Street, Blythswood Square, West George Street, Nelson Mandela Place, West George Street onto George Square

Some of the banners featured mash-up of the Scottish saltire with the flag of the European Union

The mash-up flags indicates a want for an independent Scotland to seek to rejoin the European Union

Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants to hold a second independence referendum before the end of 2023

Alongside the protestors, were traditional Scottish bagpipes players who gave the march a thumping sound

Nicola Sturgeon has said her Government will soon start refreshing the ‘very positive case’ for Scottish independence, as she insisted recent election results showed there is a ‘growing sense that the UK in its current state is not serving the needs of Scotland. Wales, or Northern Ireland’. 

The SNP increased its share of the seats in local elections on May 5, picking up 22 more seats in local authorities across Scotland.

This has been coupled with consistent statements from Nicola Sturgeon who says she wants to hold an independence referendum before the end of 2023. 

The Scottish First Minister spoke out after Sinn Fein won the most seats, 27 out of 90, in last week’s Stormont elections.

This entitles Sinn Fein to have one of its representatives take up the post of First Minister there – which would be the first time a non-unionist politician has held Northern Ireland’s top post.