People walk through Inverness in Standing Up For Scotland’s Citizens march in a bid to make their voice heard
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ABOUT 1000 people have been marching through Inverness in the city's second major pro-independence rally in the space of eight months.
Organisers had been expecting up to 1000 people to take part in the Standing Up For Scotland’s Citizens march which started and ended at Bught Park and take a route over the River Ness and past Inverness Castle.
The event was designed to “highlight the fact the we have no real democracy in Scotland”, according to organisers and adopted the slogan Scotland can.
They added: "People's voices here clearly continue to be ignored while we remain tied to the UK and London rule.
"Time after time, since the day after the results of the independence referendum on September 18, 2014 we are being ignored as a nation.
"Before that we fail to get a democracy anyway. Time and time again we end up with a Tory government that the majority of Scotland hasn't voted for.
"The latest and most brutal example of this lack of UK democracy is the EU referendum in June 2016 whereby almost two-thirds of the Scottish electorate voted to remain in the EU.
"If our EU nationals and 16-18-year-olds had been allowed to vote, like they are in all Scottish elections and referendums, then the percentage of people in Scotland wishing to remain in the EU would be even higher. However the Tories who set up the EU referendum would not allow EU nationals nor 16-18-year-olds to vote. Yet again proving how they, the Tories, make a complete mockery of democracy.
"As it stands we are now about to be forced out of the EU against the will of the majority of Scotland's people.
"There will be massive damage to Scotland in the coming years due to us being pulled out of the EU.
"Unlike the middle-Englanders whom voted for Brexit, we value all of our citizens, no matter where they originate from. We can see through the lies of the right-wing run press and media.
"We want a real democracy in Scotland and beyond, so that everyone's voice can be heard.
"We want to live in a country where people can decide for themselves how our own future will be shaped. A fairer, more equal society.
"Let's all stand up for the real democracy we all deserve and need.
"We march for the sake of a real democracy. Scotland can."
Inverness MP Drew Hendry addressed the crowd prior to the march.
There was also a period of silence to show respect to the 50 people who died in Christchurch, New Zealand during a terror attack earlier this month.
Thousands of people participated in an All Under One Banner pro-Scottish independence march in Inverness last July.
More pictures and reports in the next edition of the Inverness Courier, Ross-shire Journal, Highland News and North Star.
