The human Chain of Freedom – linking together the whole independence movement across Scotland
The Chain of Freedom Scotland – COFS – on October 14 will be an Independence Event like no other held in Scotland.
This monumental and historic event is being organised by a small admin team of grassroots supporters, led by Judith Reid and Wilma Bowie, from Inverness.
This pair of Highland Quines (both originally from the East Coast but residing in the Highland Capital) are calling on the Scottish Independence Movement to link up, put any political differences aside and energise all that bonds us to regain Scottish Independence.
COFS Admin Judith Reid said: “The Chain of Freedom Scotland is without doubt one of the biggest challenges in organisational terms for the Scottish Independence movement. We visualise a chain of Independence supporters, with saltires flying, linking hand to hand the breadth of the Central Belt - East to West, Bowling Harbour, Bowling to Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh. This is distance of approximately 66 miles, which should take around 77,000 people to create the Chain of Freedom. The route is the canal/ cycle path (NCR754) - which the team are dividing into 11 sections with subsections of approximately a mile each.
“There is a misconception that a group or family of 4, 6, 10 isn’t enough to register – of course, it is! Every-one is an essential link in the chain. So get registered, get family, get friends and work colleagues sign up and register for your preferred link. COFS admin team will issue each group, with permissions, co-ordinating a list of supporters who have chosen to link in a particular section of the chain.
“For those that are unable to attend or we have sadly lost through the years, but would like to be remembered, we encourage an email to [email protected]. She is our diligent admin member organising names and, in memorial names, to be written on lengths of saltires to be displayed on the day.”
The event is planned with specific timing and relies on all those participating to be aware of scheduled timings and specific entry and exit points. Organisers believe this can be achieved, but not just by ‘rockin up’ to anywhere within the chain. It is important that each chain section has the number of people required to make up that link.
Judith added: “I know we can do this, us Scots are thrawn and determined, so let’s do this together!
“We will set out specific guidelines for each section to ensure all participants health and safety are at the forefront, nearer the time.
“At 12.45 everyone reaches out to the person on either side and holds hands or can hold a saltire outstretched between them. To enable sufficient time for footage to be filmed for a short programme about the Chain of Freedom, photographs, drone filming and media coverage a standing time of 20-30 minutes is requested.
“Should you feel that the standing time is too long for you to stand within the chain. Please feel free to bring along a collapsible seat/stool for your own comfort. If you can hold hands or fly a Saltire with the person next to you, that’s fine by us!”
During this time participants may also be approached by the media for either written or filmed interviews, which they can do, if they feel comfortable.
“Once the static time is complete, it will be up to each person to disperse in a safe manner. Lots have indicated that they intend on setting up a wee picnic, listen to some of the folks that have brought instruments with them, go into some of the local shops/pubs or go onward to join the YES 2 Independence Rally at Glasgow Green. If they choose to do so, they should arrive at Glasgow Green approximately at the same time as the marchers, which will be a monumental spectacle.
“The whole ethos of the Chain of Freedom event is to bring Independence people together; to have a spectacular sight, of being united for Scotland’s Independence.”
The COFS team are encouraging everyone to put party politics, and personalities aside. Judith said: “We may not see eye to eye on some things, but we will stand hand in hand to put Scotland’s Independence first and foremost.”
COFS Admin, Wilma Bowie added: “The support we are receiving for this event has been amazing and is growing by the day. We are a small admin team of 10 but have an extended support network of Indy people that have taken this highly visual event to their hearts. Supporters are taking on board the organisation of buses, groups and publicity. This is what we intend the Chain to do, to bring together like-minded folks to work in harmony for the cause of Scotland’s Independence.”
The organisers confirm they have the backing of our First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, our MSP for Independence, Jamie Hepburn actor Alan Cumming, the Scottish writer Alan Bisset, Dr Timothy Rideout, Director at XYZ Maps Ltd and Convener of the Scottish Currency Group, the Journalist and Writer Lesley Riddoch, many independence supporting MSPs, MPs and councillors, major independence groups such as Yes Bikers, The Silent Clansman, Yes Cyclists, Yes Choir, The Two Davies, Independence Live TV, Independence Podcasters, Caledon Radio, Aye Matters and many more.
Admin Phil Murphy added: “We’d like to say a big thank you for the support of everyone who has already registered: it’s helping massively to distribute the numbers of participants evenly over all the links in the chain ensuring we have no gaps”.
To be part of the ambitious Chain of Freedom event couldn’t be easier. Go to www.chainoffreedom.scot to find the joining form. You can also email [email protected]
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