Believe in Scotland Day of Indy Action set for September 18
The date of the Believe in Scotland mass Day of Action for Independence has been revealed as Saturday, September 18. More than 80 Yes groups from all over Scotland have already signed up to take part and ‘fire the starting gun on a major coordinated grassroots independence campaign ‘ that will run until indyref 2 takes place.
The day will see a host of events being staged throughout the country, from socially distanced street stalls and coffee mornings to foodbank drives, beach and park clean ups and Yes hub open days to more ambitious musical events. The Yes groups have also committed to deliver more than 150,000 leaflets through doors right across Scotland in the day - especially in key areas.
All will share the same aim - to convince voters that a Yes result will give us the chance to emerge from the pandemic as a stronger, more equal country with justice, fairness and diversity at the heart of a resurgent economy.
Believe in Scotland is organising the Day of Indy Action in collaboration with the National Yes Network and The Scottish Independence Foundation. Believe in Scotland is discussing with the National Yes Network the establishment of a support network and distribution network to make sure as many people as possible receive Day of Action and Believe in Scotland information.
It would be great if everyone could join in and help their local Yes group. The indie movement needs a shot in the arm
Believe in Scotland founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp revealed that 86 Yes groups had so far committed to taking part and he expected that number to grow to more than 100 before the big day. He urged the movement to get behind the initiative and said: “It would be great if everyone could join in and help their local Yes group.
‘Even hanging a saltire from a window, digging out an old Yes sign or just sharing the key messages we post on social media during the day allows everyone to take part.
“This won't just be a one-off day of action, rather it will fire the starting gun on a major coordinated grassroots independence campaign that will run until we win independence in indyref2 (probably in early 2023).
‘The Indy movement needs a shot in the arm; it needs a major boost. Too much internal wrangling among the supporters of pro-independence political parties online in combination with lockdowns has demotivated many Yes supporters and this will get the movement going again”.
He added: “There is obviously a risk that a circuit breaker lockdown will be required but if that's the case we have contingency plans to move everything online and then hit the streets again as soon as we can”.
The National newspaper is the media sponsor of the Day of Indy Action, which is being held on the seventh anniversary of the first independence referendum in 2014 and we will be partnering to create some very special content on the day.
Every Yes group that registers as a Believe in Scotland campaign partner to participate in the Day of Indy Action will receive a free campaign and fundraising pack worth between £125 and £250, depending on the size of the group. Organisers hope that the local groups will be able to sell items such as the free copies of the Scotland the Brief book included in the packs and raise as much as £20,000 for themselves.
Mr MacIntyre-Kemp hoped the event will galvanise supporters to recapture the energy of the movement, saying: “It’s time to stop complaining and start campaigning.”
The best message you can send is that the grassroots are up and running, firing on all cylinders and ready to win this time
He added: “Even if you are one of those in the movement who voice suspicions that the SNP don't really want to hold a referendum, you must realise that the best message you can send is that the grassroots are up and running, firing on all cylinders and ready to win this time.
Believe in Scotland was launched in January 2020. Since then we have grown to include more than 15,000 subscribers, pledgers and Stakeholder members. It was The National’s independence campaign of the year in 2020 and now has around 200,000 followers across various Facebook pages and groups.
Local Yes groups can still join in by emailing Believe in Scotland or getting in touch via their representative to the National Yes Network and individual can pledge their support for believe in Scotland here www.believeinscotland.