Protesters in Aberdeen have shared their fears ahead of Britain’s imminent departure from the European Union.
A giant banner could be seen by passers-by in the city centre as a crowd of around 30-40 people gathered on Broad Street this afternoon.
With just hours to go until Britain leaves the political and economic union, protesters spoke of their “grief” at the imminent departure.
Aye Aberdeen co-chair Rory McPherson, the pro-independence group who organised the event, said they wanted to mark the “sad occasion” of Britain exiting the UK.
He said: “The reality is people can’t have the best of both worlds now. We have to be in an independent Scotland.”
Scottish specific circumstances, including the need to boost Scotland’s working-age population, weighed heavily on Mr McPherson’s mind.
He said: “We don’t have the people here to do the jobs.”
Retail worker Leon Marwick, 23, from Kincorth, spoke of a sense of “betrayal and sadness” at leaving the EU, when Scotland voted 62% in favour of remaining.
He said: “It’s a sad day, especially for democracy, we didn’t vote for this.
“There is a feeling of betrayal and sadness.
“Coming out of university I have got a lot of friends studying here from the EU.
“They felt really isolated and like they weren’t wanted here.
“One of my best friends has gone back home to France.
“Seeing the opportunities that would have been brought to us in the future being snatched away is hurtful and it’s a betrayal.”
Frieda Burns, from Stonehaven, who travelled to Aberdeen to take part in the protest, said she felt “in grief”.
She said: “It’s a family of nations and I hope that we get our independence soon because I’m quite sure the EU would want us back.”
Fisheries, farming and the region’s tourism sector could be among the industries negatively impacted by leaving the EU, Ms Burns claimed.
She added: “Immigration policy should be devolved to Scotland. We need people to come here and set up families.”
Irene Buchan, 72, from Garthdee, said her sympathies lie with future generations, who will lose freedom of movement.
She added: “Independence is the only answer if we want to stay in Europe.”
Aye Aberdeen has scheduled another protest for later tonight outside Marsichal College from 10.30pm, titled ‘Leave a Light on for Scotland’ as part of a series of similar events organised across Scotland.
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Kirsty Blackman: ‘I’m really concerned about how the future looks for my kids’
Kirsty Blackman, Aberdeen North MP, who also attended today’s protest, said she felt “emotional” when she woke up this morning.
She added: “I got up this morning and talked to the kids about what Brexit means and what it will mean for their future and I don’t think they can be happy today. It’s pretty bleak.
“I’m really concerned about how the future looks for my kids. How does it look for them if we’re not going to have the same numbers of people coming from elsewhere?
“I don’t want to be that insular country, I don’t want to be that country that is not working with our international partners, that’s not working from the European Union.
“I think there is a bright future for Scotland as an independent country but I think today I’m going to take the opportunity to feel sad about things.”
I don’t want to be that insular country, I don’t want to be that country that is not working with our international partners, that’s not working from the European Union.
— Kirsty Blackman, Aberdeen North MP and SNP deputy Westminster leader
The SNP MP said she feels “really concerned” about how Brexit could impact the north-east of Scotland, in particular.
She said: “Outside London, Aberdeen is the place with the highest percentage of immigrants, the highest percentage of people born outside the UK and I think that’s a brilliant stat. I’m so pleased that we’ve got so many folk.
“If we’re going to struggle to attract people because we’ve got an immigration system that doesn’t work for Aberdeen, that doesn’t work for Scotland, then I think that’s a massive issue for us.”
Reacting to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s speech, Ms Blackman, said: “The First Minister made clear this morning that we’d still like to have an independence referendum this year.
“The track that we’re on, trying to do things right, trying to do things properly, trying to make it so it’s absolutely beyond doubt, I think that’s the best future for Scotland.”
Speaking yesterday, north-east Conservative MSP Peter Chapman called on the SNP to “focus on the day job”.
He said:“The Brexit deal in place is the best available for jobs and the economy across the whole of the UK, allowing us to honour the referendum and realise the opportunities to come.
“Mr Stewart and the SNP need to acknowledge they have a day job. But instead of fixing the mess they have made of Scotland, they create constitutional grievance as a diversion.
“Instead of schools, hospitals and drug deaths, the SNP only want to talk flags, pretend vistas and divisive referendums.”
