Council and Police ban rally - but Sheridan implores supporters to defy ruling
Pro-independence supporters are vowing to defy a ban and stage a planned rally in Glasgow’s George Square - against police advice.
Supporters of Tommy Sheridan’s Hope Over Fear campaign have reacted angrily after Glasgow City Council banned the demonstration over fears it would clash with a pro-union rally on the same day.
Sheridan, a convicted perjurer, is bidding to use the anniversary to create momentum for a second independence referendum and raise his profile ahead of next year's Scottish Parliament elections.
But after advice from Police Scotland saying the two events could spark public order issues, the council banned both.
However in defiance of the ban, Sheridan has turned his ire on the Labour council and called to his supporters to ignore the ruling.
Get there by train, bus, bike or car but let’s collectively defy the Labour unionists on Glasgow City Council - Tommy Sheridan
He said: "We call on the Yes community across Scotland to converge on the square, Freedom Square, to listen to the live music, the inspiring speeches, wave our flags and show the world we are still Yes and we seek a second referendum as soon as practically possible and politically unavoidable.
"Get there by train, bus, bike or car but let’s collectively defy the Labour unionists on Glasgow City Council and demand our right to rally and our right to freedom."
Hope Over Fear was also banned in April from holding a rally, despite two separate applications to the council from the group.
A council spokesman said: “Two different groups both asked to use George Square to hold separate rallies on September 19 this year.
“After taking advice from police, who raised public order concerns, we have decided to decline both requests to use George Square on this date.”
Sheridan’s wife Gail, who writes a weekly blog, said the move was “stupid”.
“To try and effectively ban the independence movement from assembling in George Square on September 19, one year after the historic referendum, is surely undemocratic and stupid, especially in a city which actually voted Yes,” she said.
Carys Edwards from Dingwall, posted on social media that two bus loads of supporters would still be attending the event.
She said: “Glasgow council’s futile ban proves the point that our right to campaign is being hijacked.
“But I plead to all our supporters to defy this ban and make your voice heard on the day.”
