Brian Cox, a vocal campaigner for Scottish independence and a member of the SNP, will speak at the Believe in Scotland event at Calton Hill, Edinburgh, on March 28. Believe in Scotland does not support any political party but signed an agreement with the SNP to work together to advance independence. Outside the Scottish Parliament, multiple protests took place on various issues.
An anti-immigration protest organized by Unite the Clans Scotland occurred, with a counter-protest by anti-racist groups. There was a substantial police presence with barriers to separate the two factions at the protest outside the Scottish Parliament. Terminally ill women formed 'living statues' outside the Scottish Parliament to call for MSPs to back the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, with a final vote expected at Holyrood on March 17.
Pro-Palestine activists gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to demand action on the Holyrood vote backing an immediate boycott of Israel. A protest by Ethiopian activists took place outside the Scottish Parliament, marking the group's first demonstration in Edinburgh. In London, arrests have begun at a mass demonstration in Trafalgar Square opposing the proscription of Palestine Action.
The High Court ruled in February that the government's proscription of Palestine Action was disproportionate and unlawful. The Metropolitan Police revised its enforcement approach to resume arrests for showing support for Palestine Action after the Home Secretary was given permission to appeal the High Court decision. Eighteen people have been arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action after a demonstration outside New Scotland Yard.
More than 2,700 people have been arrested for allegedly expressing support for Palestine Action since it was banned last year. The Scottish Government has updated its procurement rules but activists and the Scottish Greens say it doesn't go far enough regarding the Israel boycott. For the Believe in Scotland independence rally, marchers will gather from 11:30 am on the Royal Mile by Parliament Square before setting off at midday on March 28.
Israeli police dispersed protesters outside the Knesset in Jerusalem following the approval of a new death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks classified as terrorism.