Yes party takes over Da Street
{igallery id=1263|cid=56|pid=5|type=category|children=0|addlinks=0|tags=|limit=0}A CARNIVAL atmosphere broke out on Lerwick’s Commercial Street at the weekend as local musicians and artists celebrated their support for Scottish independence.
As crowds supporting the Yes campaign marched through the centre of all of Scotland’s major cities, around 60 folk bearing blue banners, flags and badges marched from the Yes shop on Harbour Street to the Market Cross.
Afterwards a stall was erected outside the Grand Hotel with face painting, a photo booth and a display of art work and messages of support from around the world.
The event was organised by Louise Thomason of National Collective. “It was the last weekend before the referendum, so we wanted to celebrate with a fun day.
“I think the Yes campaign has been a positive thing and obviously an event like this attracts a lot of like-minded people, but there have been a lot of undecideds coming up to speak and we’ve handed out a lot of leaflets.”
Isobel Mitchell of Shetland Women for Independence agreed that a lot of people in Shetland are still undecided. “I think some people will be going into the ballot booth and wonder, ‘What now?’”
Of the street party, she said: “It was very welcoming and friendly and everyone enjoyed themselves.
“It was a nice opportunity to get our message across about hope, about the future and not going with austerity-ridden Westminster and having the belief in ourselves to be an independent country.”
One table outside Osla’s Café had a group of No supporters engaging people in debate putting across the other side of the argument.
Two visiting tourists from the south of England sat at the table next to them, before boarding the ferry back home after two weeks in the isles.
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“We came up from Worcestershire two weeks ago and down there it was as if there was no Scottish referendum happening at all,” the woman said.
“But up here it’s been absolutely amazing. Everyone is talking about it, and it all feels so exciting, but I have to say that the Yes campaign seems to be a lot more fun. The No side all seem rather glum in comparison.”
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