SCOTTISH independence supporters in favour of joining the EU are set to rally outside of the Holyrood Parliament to mark a decade since the Brexit vote.
Campaign group Yes for EU has organised the gathering, set to take place at midday on Tuesday, June 23, with guest speakers including former MEP and now SNP MSP for Stirling, Alyn Smith set to address the crowd.
"Everyone who believes in the case for an independent Scotland in the EU is invited to gather together outside Holyrood," the organisers have said.
Elise Tallaron, convener of Yes for EU, said “This is a very significant anniversary for our movement. Scotland never supported the Brexit vote in 2016, and we were dragged out of the EU largely due to voters in England.
"I am therefore delighted that Yes for EU is marking the 10th anniversary of that vote with events in both Edinburgh and in Brussels.”
Alongside marking the Brexit vote, the event will also coincide with a meeting between MEPs in Brussels and the campaign group Europe for Scotland, which the Scottish delegation hopes will begin to lay the groundworks for a swift entry to the Union following a successful independence vote.
It will feature former SNP Europe spokesperson Philippa Whitford, leading Brexit critic and writer Anthony Barnett, ex-Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans and Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan.
Tallaron said Scotland’s recent election result, which saw a record-breaking 73 pro-independence MSPs elected, strengthened its hand in that debate.
“Scotland has just elected a majority of MSPs who want to see us back in the EU,” she said.
“This means we are in a great position to influence the debate in other EU nations.
"Once independent, rejoining the bloc will be good for Scotland and good for the EU.
"My hope is that this will eventually lead to the other nations also reversing Brexit.”
Andrea Pisauro, spokesperson for Europe for Scotland, said the 10th anniversary of the referendum underlined how far opinion had turned.
“Ten years after the Brexit referendum, none of those who campaigned for Brexit has the slightest intention of celebrating the anniversary,” he argued.
“Meanwhile three out of four devolved nations within the UK are led by parties that seek independence in Europe.
“A large majority in England agrees but England has no devolved assembly that can voice this desire. Westminster remains the epicentre of a semi-permanent constitutional crisis, where prime minister after prime minister tries to reset the agenda without ever making Brexit work.”
