Nationalists argue Brexit means another independence referendum is necessary because a majority of Scots voted to stay in the EU (AFP Photo/ANDY BUCHANAN) |
Glasgow (AFP) - Thousands rallied in Glasgow on Saturday calling for Scotland to become an independent country, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon telling the crowds that their goal was "within touching distance".
The
Scottish National Party (SNP) leader was the headline speaker at the event in
George Square, the first time she has addressed an independence rally since the
2014 referendum campaign, with a crucial general election looming next month.
"Make
no mistake, the general election we face now on December 12 is the most
important election for Scotland in our lifetimes," she told the crowds.
Supporters
waved the St Andrews cross and Catalan flags in solidarity with
the fellow
independence campaign in Spain (AFP Photo/ANDY BUCHANAN)
|
"The
future of our country is on the line.
"We
must come out in our numbers and vote in this election," she added,
insisting that the "prize" of independence was "within touching
distance."
"We
must seize that prize," she urged.
Sturgeon is
expected, before Christmas, to formally ask Johnson for a Section 30 order,
which would give Scotland's devolved government permission to stage a
referendum.
The protest
came ahead of Britain's crucial general
election next month (AFP Photo/ANDY
BUCHANAN)
|
Supporters
waved the St Andrews cross emblazoned with the word "Yes" and Catalan
flags in solidarity with the fellow independence campaign.
Others wore
kilts and played bagpipes, including one musician who had flames leaping from
his instrument.
Scotland
voted against independence in a 2014 referendum by 55 percent.
But
nationalists argue that the 2016 British referendum in favour of Brexit means
another independence referendum is necessary -- because Scotland voted by 62
percent to stay in the European Union.
Scotland
voted against independence in a 2014
referendum by 55 percent (AFP Photo/ANDY
BUCHANAN)
|
Nationalists
also argue that some people voted against independence thinking it would
guarantee their place inside the EU.
Sturgeon
promised supporters on Saturday to "lead you to an independence reference
next year".
"It's
time for Scotland to choose our own future, time for Scotland to be an
independent country," she added.
Pro-union
supporters organised a counter protest near the rally calling for
Scottish
independence in Glasgow (AFP Photo/ANDY BUCHANAN)
|
A small
number of pro-Union protesters carrying Union Jack flags staged a
counter-demonstration.
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