Our Republic

Our Republic is a political campaign for a Scottish republic calling for the abolition of the monarchy. It was founded in 2021.

Our Republic
Formation2021
Founded atScotland, United Kingdom
TypeAdvocacy group
PurposeScottish republicanism
HeadquartersEdinburgh
Convenor
Tristan Gray
Websiteourrepublic.scot

History

The organisation was formed in 2021 by activists from a mix of Scottish political parties from members with roots in Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada, the United States, and Lithuania.[1][2] The following year it was revealed by polling that Scottish support for the monarchy stood at 45%.[3]

Activities

Our Republic is a political campaign for a Scottish republic calling for the abolition of the monarchy.[4]

Reign of Elizabeth II

The organisation launched a petition to call for the political oaths sworn by Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to be made to the Scottish people rather than the monarchy, after several MSPs said that they were taking the oath under protest. The petition was backed by MSP Emma Roddick and Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie.[5]

Our Republic expressed solidarity with calls in Jamaica for the United Kingdom to apologise for the monarchy's historic role in the slave trade, and for Jamaica's plans to abolish the monarchy and become a republic.[6]

The organisation planned an anti-monarchy rally to coincide with Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee on 4 June 2022 on Calton Hill, Edinburgh,[7] with MP Tommy Sheppard speaking.[8][9][10]

Reign of Charles III

Ahead of the Accession declaration of Charles III at Mercat cross in Edinburgh on 11 September 2022, the organisation stated: "We encourage those with objections to these proclamations to make those clear".[11] The members voiced their opposition to the new King through booing, turning their backs and shouting "no consent",[12] and holding up anti-Monarchy slogans during the Lord Lyon King of Arms's declaration. The protest made global headlines.[13] They were briefly detained by Police Scotland before being released.[14][15] One protester was later again arrested and charged under "Breach of the Peace".[16][17][18] Our Republic raised concerns of freedom of expression in response to the charges.[19]

In February 2023, Charles offered to allow people who "cannot afford to heat their homes" to use two of his Scottish properties—Dumfries House in Ayrshire and the Castle of Mey in Caithness—to keep warm for one day a week.[20] Our Republic convener Tristan Gray responded by saying: "A cynical person may see this as little more than a token PR stunt instead of any sort of genuine attempt to help people who are suffering at this time, especially coming on the heels of both he and his son visiting a food bank without bringing food, despite being more than able to and especially when he has demanded a flamboyantly golden coronation he may wish to try and deflect criticism from."[21]

Our Republic protested Charles III's coronation on 6 May 2023, with a rally on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.[22][23] Speakers at the rally included politicians Tommy Sheppard, Maggie Chapman and Lorna Slater as well as several activists from social and political groups such as the Scottish Socialist Party.

During the service of thanksgiving organised in Edinburgh for Charles III on 5 July 2023 Our Republic organised a rally outside the Scottish Parliament, attended by Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie.[24]

See also

References
  1. Paterson, Kirsteen (25 April 2021). "Fighting for a Scottish republic – royal scandals highlight problems of monarchies". The National. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  2. Wilson, Louise (28 February 2022). "After the reign: What next for the Royal family?". Holyrood. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  3. Savage, Michael (15 May 2022). "Scottish support for monarchy falls to 45%, poll reveals". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  4. Kalisch, Muriel (12 September 2022). "Was Queen Elizabeths Tod für Schottlands Unabhängigkeit bedeutet". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  5. Amery, Rachel (24 March 2022). "Should MSPs pledge allegiance to The Queen? New petition calls for Holyrood oaths to be changed". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  6. Bell, Sean (15 July 2022). "Scottish republicans wish Jamaica 'best of luck' in abolishing monarchy". The National. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  7. Jarvis, Chris (21 May 2022). "Republicans plan anti-monarchy rally to coincide with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee". Bright Green. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  8. Bell, Sean (30 May 2022). "Edinburgh rally to offer a republican alternative to Jubilee Scotland". The National. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  9. "Platinum Jubilee: Flotilla among Scotland's weekend celebrations". BBC News. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  10. "Reporting Scotland Evening News: 04/06/2022". BBC iPlayer. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  11. Garton-Crosbie, Abbi (11 September 2022). "Two breach of the peace arrests made amid King Charles's Edinburgh proclamation". The National. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  12. Smith, Alexander (11 September 2022). "Anti-monarchists in Scotland turn their backs on king's proclamation". NBC News. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  13. Elliards, Xander (12 September 2022). "Our Republic makes global headlines after Edinburgh anti-monarchy protest arrest". The National. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  14. Learmonth, Andrew (11 September 2022). "Protesters in Edinburgh boo proclamation of King Charles III". The Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  15. Siddique, Haroon (11 September 2022). "Republican protesters arrested at King Charles proclamations". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  16. Frodsham, Isobel; Love, Lynn (11 September 2022). "Woman arrested in Edinburgh after protester holds anti-monarchy sign". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  17. Mills, Jen (11 September 2022). "Woman arrested after holding 'abolish monarchy' sign in Edinburgh". Metro. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  18. "Woman arrested after protester holds anti-monarchy sign in Edinburgh". ITV News. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  19. "Skotska republikaner vädrar morgonluft med Charles som kung". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 12 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  20. Smillie, Abi (3 February 2023). "King Charles to open Dumfries House doors to be used as a 'warm space'". Daily Record. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  21. Brawn, Steph (5 February 2023). "King Charles' 'warm spaces' will be seen as 'token PR stunt'". The National. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  22. Adam Durbin & Daniel Sandford (6 May 2023). "Dozens of protesters arrested during Coronation" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  23. Sanderson, Ginny (6 May 2023). "10 photos as protesters gather for anti-monarchy rally in Edinburgh during coronation". Edinburgh News.
  24. "Scottish Green leaders to snub King's cathedral ceremony". 4 July 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
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