EDINBURGH RIC IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE UK-WIDE DAY OF STRIKE ACTION ON MAY 15th

March 15^th saw one of the biggest days of strike action in recent years. In Scotland, the major groups of workers on strike were the civil servants, organised in the PCS and Prospect, and the university lecturers in the UCU. Large pickets were held at workplaces throughout Edinburgh. Edinburgh RIC attended the 70 strong RMT organised rally backed by Trade Union in Communities at the UK Hub (BOSS – British Occupied Subject Scotland) just off the Royal Mile. The speakers concentrated on the deadly impact of the Tories’ budget announced that day. We then the marched to the large PCS rally just off the Mound.

___________

________

EDINBURGH MAY DAY MARCH, SATURDAY 7th MAY

PUTIN’S WAR AND UKRAINE’S RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION

Wednesday, March 30^th, 7.00 – 8.30 pm

Speaker – Yuliya Yurchenko, directly from Ukraine
with back-up by Chris Ford of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign

also see

WHY HAS PUTIN INVADED UKRAINE? – Allan Armstrong, bella caledonia

RIC Revived – article from

bella caledonia

On January 29th, the Radical Independence Campaign held its first AGM (on Zoom) since the dramatic events reported in B ella Caledonia a year ago. The RIC Revivers have reconstituted local groups and are setting up new ones. Delegates and individuals attended the AGM from the Borders, Clydebank, Dundee, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, North Lanarkshire and Stirling. Our Aberdeen contact was cut off by Storm Malik! Angus & Mearns, whilst unable to attend, sent in their support for the proposals, which had been circulated beforehand. Two new affiliated organisations, the Republican Socialist Platform and the SNP Socialists, also attended, whilst individual Scottish Green members were able to announce that their party’s emergency general meeting, held earlier that day, had just voted to look into reaffiliation.

Over the past year, RIC organised a very successful conference on June 12th with guest speakers, Blair Anderson, Graham Campbell, Brenda Eadie, Janet Fenton, Katie Galloghly-Swan and Annie Lane. This had breakout discussions and practical sessions. RIC also formed part of the Cop-26 Coalition last November. Our activities were favourably reported by Nan Spowart in the Sunday National. This article covered RIC’s special emphasis on the role of stateless nations and indigenous peoples throughout the world.

One of the key issues discussed at our AGM was a revised set of principles. The original 5 Principles were devised in the context of an official UK/Scottish government referendum. It soon became clear that even if the independence vote had been won on September 18th 2014, the likely outcome of the subsequent negotiations would have been decidedly Indy-Lite. The SNP even proposed to bring leading Scottish Unionists, including Gordon Brown, into their side of negotiations!

Today, we are no longer the same political situation. Johnson’s reactionary unionist government is prepared to resort to a wide range of the UK state’s anti-democratic Crown Powers, not only to prevent IndyRef2, but even to roll back the limited democracy conceded under the 1998 Devolution-all-round deal. And we need allies across these islands (and elsewhere, e.g. Catalunya), organised on an internationalism from below basis, to counter their anti-democratic ‘internationalism’ imposed from above, and their alliance with the USA, and any other power opposed to genuine national self-determination. Against all those who would seek to divide us, RIC also emphasises the principle of unity and solidarity in our diversity.

Therefore, it was unanimously agreed to adopt a new set of 6 Principles suitable for the changed conditions we face.

“The Radical Independence Campaign (Scotland) is a campaigning coalition which stands for and organises around the following Six Principles

1) For a democratic, secular, socially just and environmentally sustainable, Scottish Republic

2) Action based on the sovereignty of the people not the UK Crown, leading to the setting up of a Constituent Assembly

3) Action to establish universal health, care, education, housing, income, pensions, and trade union rights; and to win land reform and challenge environmental degradation

4) Equality and opposition to discrimination on grounds of sex, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion/belief, disability or age

5) Solidarity with the struggles for workers’ rights, democracy and self-determination, based on internationalism from below

6) Support for Scotland’s artistic and cultural revival and all its languages”

After a thorough discussion a new constitution was also agreed. This incorporates the best features of the old one but ditches those that did not work and left many individual members without regular contact. There is now a national membership, which is encouraged where possible to work in the Local Groups. Those members, not in Local Groups, can participate in the activities of the national Working Groups. The new constitution ensures that control rests with active Local Groups and affiliated organisations. There is no executive body. Elected office bearers are directly responsible to the bimonthly National Forum delegates. The Working Groups help RIC members to be active in a wide range of political, economic, social and cultural/artistic activities.

The AGM also discussed our next major conference, to be held in June, around the theme ‘For a democratic Scotland in an environmentally sustainable world’. As with last year’s conference, there will be a wide range of guest speakers, plenty of discussion and practical workshops as well. A Working Group is being set up to organise this.

Furthermore, now there is the real prospect of Covid-19 receding, RIC Local Groups and members will once more be more active in public events. These will include the All Under One Banner demos. We will also continue to involve ourselves in local, national and international campaigns, consistent with our Principle 3. We join these campaigns to offer our support, not to try to manipulate and dominate, as unfortunately some others have tried to do. We try to persuade people through our solidarity, printed and online media, and open meetings. In this way we seek to win support for the democratic principle of upholding the sovereignty of the people and for our vision of an independent Scotland.

Allan Armstrong, 5.2.22

RIC EDINBURGH REPORT FOR NATIONAL AGM ON 29.1.22

Edinburgh RIC Organising Meetings

a) 1.12.22 (doubled up with RIC National Forum

After consultation, it was decided the national RIC AGM would be held on Saturday, 29.1.22 from 13.00 – 16.00 by Zoom with the new Constitution and Principles the main items of discussion.

It was also decided to organise a RIC national conference (similar in format to the one held on 7.6.21) around the theme A Just Transition to a Sustainable World and a Just Transition to a Democratic Scotland.

It was suggested that this conference be held in March, but that there should be further discussion at the national AGM. The possibility of organising this as hybrid open/Zoom meeting, when Covid-19 conditions were clearer was also raised.

b) 10.1.22

Motions sand proposals submitted to national AGM (to be circulated by interim national Secretary). 4 delegates were elected.

It was also agreed to post a notice of the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission consultation meeting on the Edinburgh RIC blog

Events

c) Next Edinburgh OM – 7.2.22, 18.00

2. Edinburgh RIC Assemblies

None have been held over the holiday period

Next Edinburgh RIC Assembly – 23.2.22, 19.00

Scotland beyond the Pandemic? – A radical independence challenge)

Lead off – Simon Barrow (co-editor, with Gerry Hassan of

Scotland after the Virus)

3 ) Other activities

a) Protest against BP being invited to Holyrood, 1.12.21

Edinburgh RIC participated in this:

Reports

b) Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission consultation, 25.1.22, 17.00

See 1b above

Allan Armstrong, Minutes Secretary, Edinburgh RIC, 14.1.22

_______________

PROTEST AGAINST BP BEING INVITED TO HOLYROOD, 1.12.21

Over 60 people attended the protest called by the Edinburgh Cop-26 Coalition on the evening of Wednesday 1st December (see https://edinburghric.org/events/). This was called because of the invite given to BP the major fossil fuel and carbon producer to attend Holyrood to promote its greenwash proposals. Luke Henderson introduced the event for the Edinburgh Cop26 Coalition, and Penny Packham spoke for Extinction Rebellion. This was followed by some suitably amended Christmas carols including one to the tune of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Arrest these oily gentlemen

Let nothing you delay

For they have dried and spilled and kikked

And still do to this day

Corruption, greed and sponsorship

The planet pays the cost

And BP makes profits from oil

Profits from oil

And BP makes profits from oil

Profits from oil

This followed an earlier protest organises by Extinction Rebellion

_____________

RIC EDINBURGH REPORT for National Forum on 1.12.21

Edinburgh RIC Organising Meetings

a) 11.10.21

b) 15.11.21

Edinburgh RIC Assemblies

a) 11.10.21 – The SNP/Green alliance – Is it a Way Forward?

Speakers – Alex Stainforth, City of Edinburgh Green councillor, Tejas Mukerji, SNP Socialists

Both speakers were supportive of the alliance. It could be seen as the best political option that exists at present.

There was discussion over the Scottish Greens’ refusal to support the Labour proposed amendment, supporting a National Energy Public Company.

Th City of Edinburgh’s forthcoming Review of Effectiveness meeting was raised.

The continued issue of the power of the landed interest to thwart progress was raised.

An issue raised in which to look for forward movement is getting a date for the Indy Ref2.

Two areas were highlighted to examine the Scottish Greens’ ability to maintain their political independence.

a) support for continued opposition to the Cambo oilfield

b) Scottish Greens affiliation to RIC (this was due to come up at the party conference (7-10 October)

b) 29.10.21 – Planned joint assembly with Zapatista delegation,

Unfortunately, this had to be a closed meeting hosted by the Autonomous Centre Edinburgh. However Dundee RIC was involved in the meeting the previous evening in the Rad Apple Centre (which had similar non- wider advertising restrictions).

Other events

a) Cop26, 31.10.21-13.11.21

RIC was involved both nationally and locally in the Cop-26 Coalition.

For details of all Cop-26 Coalition activities nationally see –

COP26 Coalition

https://cop26coalition.org/embed/#?secret=2XFpfVFm2k

For final press statement see https://cop26coalition.org/cop26-coalition-final-press-statement/embed/#?secret=L4nIMVWLI0

RIC was asked to organise an official contingent on the November 6^th demo under the slogan ‘It’s Scotland’s Oil – Keep it in the Soil’ (new banner). RIC was also given responsibility for successful the Peoples Summit event on November 8^th ‘Climate Justice means Social Justice’, with speakers from Puerto Rico, Wales and Kabylia.

RIC placed a full page in The National on 31.10.21 (cost £600. Edinburgh RIC contributed £200). There was also a very supportive article, written by Nan Spowart in The National on 7.11.21.

A full report of RIC’s national activities will be given at the next Edinburgh RIC Assembly on 1.12.21.

Edinburgh RIC produced a new banner for the November 6^th demo (see photo – https://edinburghric.org/1448-2/). Some Edinburgh members joined the national RIC contingent, but others joined the Scottish Greens and trade union contingents.

Edinburgh RIC members were concerned about the provocative police handling and kettling of the YCL contingent and joined the protest. The Edinburgh RIC Organising Meeting on 15.11.21 sent a message of solidarity. (see https://edinburghric.org/1448-2/)

b) Pensioners for Independence (PfI), 19.11.21, 16.00

PfI invited Edinburgh RIC to provide a speaker for one f their national meetings. It I was agreed by Edinburgh RIC OM on 15.11.21 that Allan Armstrong should speak. This was a very good event, attended by 29 people, and PfI have posted this on their blog at:-

Another Scotland Is Possible

4. Future events

Next Edinburgh RIC Zoom meeting. 1.12.21, 19.00

It was agreed to have a Zoom meeting with the following topics

a) What we learned from COP 26

b) Thinking about a national RIC conference

c) Organising an Edinburgh RIC social early in the New Year, on a Saturday afternoon, probable venue Summerhall Centre, open to members from throughout Scotland

The Edinburgh RIC OM agreed with a request from RIC members in other areas that this meeting should double up as a RIC National Assembly to discuss items a) and b). This Assembly will be open to all RIC members, but each local RIC group and affiliated organisation should provide 2 voting delegates.

Allan Armstrong, Minutes Secretary, Edinburgh RIC, 23.11.21

_____________

Cop26 STATEMENT AFTER GLASGOW AGREEMENT

“This agreement is an utter betrayal of the people. It is hollow words on the climate emergency from the richest countries, with an utter disregard of science and justice. The UK Government greenwash and PR have spun us off course.

The rich refused to do their fair share, with more empty words on climate finance and turning their back on the poorest who are facing a crisis of covid coupled with economic and climate apartheid – all caused by the actions of the richest.

It’s immoral for the rich to sit there talking about their future children and grandchildren, when the children of the South are suffering now.

This COP has failed to keep 1.5c alive, and set us on a pathway to 2.5c. All while claiming to act as they set the planet on fire.

At COP26, the richest got what they came here for, and the poorest leave with nothing.

The people are rising up across the globe to hold our governments and corporations to account – and make them act.”

_____________

__________

MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY, 15.11.21

Edinburgh Radical Independence Campaign held its latest Organising Meeting on 15^th November. We unanimously expressed our solidarity with your YCL contingent harassed and kettled by the police in Glasgow on the massive Cop26 demonstration on Saturday, November 6^th. We joined the protest when our contingent reached the end of the street where you were kettled and remained until the last contingent had passed.

The YCL contingent was clearly targeted from early in the march. The behaviour of the police was apparently pre-planned, provocative and aggressive. There have been other instances of inappropriate police behaviour during Cop 26. On November 2^nd, women were prevented from returning to their homes and diverted through a dark park, so that a reception could be held for world leaders and royals out of sight of any of the people of Glasgow.

Yours in solidarity,

Allan Armstrong

for the Radical Independence Campaign – Edinburgh

EDINBURGH RIC AT THE COP26 DEMO IN GLASGOW ON NOVEMBER 6th

Edinburgh RIC attended the Cop26 demo in Glasgow on November 6th with our new banner (seen behind the national banner below)

Nan Spowart wrote the following article in the Sunday Herald about RIC”s activities around Cop26.

RADICAL INDEPENDENCE CAMPAIGN BUILDS BRIDGES WITH GROUPS AROUND THR WORLD

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for an independent Scotland to be founded on climate justice.

The call comes from the Radical Independence Campaign (RIC) which was originally set up in 2012 and is now forging more international links and ramping up activity ahead of a new referendum.

The group is taking part in COP26, with members joining protesters on the climate change march yesterday carrying banners emblazoned with the slogan “It’s Scotland’s oil, keep it in the soil”.

Tomorrow it is supporting two meetings, including one on self-determination, climate justice and democracy, featuring people from various countries around the world seeking independence. They will speak about their experience of climate change and their frustration at the lack of an official presence at COP26.

Group member Jack Ferguson said: “We are looking forward to hearing from our friends struggling for self-determination across three different continents at the People’s Summit for Climate Justice on Monday, where RIC has organised a session with activists from other stateless nations.”

Paul Figueroa of the Puerto Rican Independence Party, Joe Williams of the Welsh Underground Network and Anazar U Chavah of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia will help lead a discussion on how independence and climate justice go hand-in-hand.

It is the latest in a series of in-person meetings through which RIC has been strengthening its international links, having last week met privately with seven women from the Zapatista communities in southern Mexico to learn of, and offer solidarity with, their inspirational struggle for self-determination.

Ferguson said: “RIC sees international links as vital so that we can offer our support to people struggling around the world, but also so that Scotland can call on global help when demanding our own right to self-determination from Westminster.

We’re also seeking to build links with the Scottish diaspora globally, encouraging them to support the independence struggle here.”

Recently, RIC wrote to pro-independence organisations in Wales, Cornwall and the north of England as well as groups promoting the re-unification of the island of Ireland to propose an All Islands International group.

“We want to come together in alliance with all those throughout these islands who see breaking up the British state as the way to achieve major social progress, and work together to end the undemocratic rule of Westminster,” said Ferguson.

“We’re also seeking to build links with the Scottish diaspora globally, encouraging them to support the independence struggle here.”

Tomorrow, the RIC is also speaking at an event to discuss building a fairer, greener, nuclear-free Scotland.

Ferguson said: “This is the start – not the end – of our action as we will be looking at how we can ramp up protest and direct action in the New Year.

“Climate justice has to be central to independence now. Our slogan for the march yesterday played off the slogan of ‘It’s Scotland’s Oil’, which gave the SNP its big breakthrough, but this is a new time and we need to recognise the reality of climate change and our responsibility to take a lead in helping end the fossil fuel economy.

“It is Scotland’s oil and we want an independent Scotland to say we will do the responsible thing and keep it in the ground. The UK Government seems determined to press ahead with the Cambo oil field despite warnings against it from the IPCC and world scientists.

“We need the power in Scotland to regulate the energy industry and be able to say we are going to end oil extraction and put efforts towards a just transition that allows workers in these industries to get new jobs.”

___________

SAVE OUR CARE HOME DEMO, EDINBURGH CITY CHAMBERS, 28.9.21

ALL UNDER ONE BANNER DEMO, EDINBURGH,

Saturday 25th September

EDINBURGH RIC ASSEMBLY –18.8.21

ORGANISING FOR COP-26

An introduction by Mim Black, Press officer Cop 26 Coalition

Mim’s talk on Scottish Independence and the Path to Climate Justice can eb seen at:-https://edinburghric.org/2021/04/23/scottish-independence-and-the-path-to-climate-justice/embed/#?secret=0B340z5sf5

In the discussion the following issues and links were made:-

The history of Cop

The proposed Cambo oilfield

https://scote3.net/2021/08/11/no-new-north-sea-development/)

There are now 30 local Cop-26 hubs and 28 countries have signed up.

Dave S. drew attention to the Edinburgh Net Zero 20390 Climate strategy public drop-in eventhttps://www.eventbrite.com/checkout-external?eid=158991205977&parent=https%3A%2F%2Fedinburghric.org%2F

Pete C drew attention to

how Glasgow trade unionists are organising for Cop-26

https://scote3.net/2021/02/10/glasgow-trade-unionists-organise-for-cop26-and-beyond/

b) the Edinburgh TUC campaign on retrofittinghttps://www.youtube.com/embed/WgJIZptquQQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-gb&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Mim summarised by outlining the Cop-26 Coalition decision to organise an alternative People Summit. There would also be a demonstration in which a radical Scottish independence contingent would be asked to contribute. There would be people attending from outwith Scotland. Volunteers would be asked to provide accommodation (within relatively easy reach of Glasgow). A financial appeal would be made for Visa Support Service so people could attend from outside the UK.

Matters arising f or Edinburgh RIC

Mim asked Edinburgh RIC to get national RIC to organise a Scottish independence contingent at the Cop26 demo. We could approach others to organise a joint Left Independence contingent, e.g. RIC, SNP Socialists, Now Scotland, conter, SSP etc. (Nick thought that the Scottish Greens would organise its own contingent)
Mim invited RIC to provide a speaker for the Peoples Asdembly.

It was agreed that the Edinburgh RIC delegates would raise these two issues at the next RIC National Forum on 4.9.21.Posted byedinburghric 31st Aug 2021Posted in Uncategorized Leave a commenton EDINBURGH RIC ASSEMBLY –18.8.21

Rally for Independence

Faslane for a Nuclear Free Scotland

Saturday, 28.8.21, 13.00- 15.00

These weapons of mass destruction play no useful roll and they put all of us at risk. They only exist as a means of providing the UK Government with a seat at the table with other major imperialist powers who seek to control and dominate, both politically and economically, the world by military power.

The cost of replacing Trident is estimated to be in excess of £205bn, money that could be much better spent on bairns not bombs.

Only Independence can guarantee a nuclear free Scotland, as such All Under One Banner has called this static-rally at the Faslane Navel Base on Saturday 28th August at 1pm. This rally will be staged with due regard to the safety of those attending, and with close cooperation with Police Scotland.

Come along and show your support!

Alan Bell, Now Scotland

August 28, 2021 at 1:00pm – 3pm

Faslane Naval Base

Helensburgh,

Scotland

G84 8HL

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Helensburgh+G84+8HL/@56.0699265,-4.8290467,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4889a8597b3ec32f:0xf0c7a60c75964bbe!8m2!3d56.0667747!4d-4.817525Posted byedinburghric 22nd Aug 2021Posted in Uncategorized Leave a commenton Rally for Independence

Global Warming and Organising for COP 26

Edinburgh RIC Assembly Wednesday, August 18th, 7 pm

Mim Black (Press Officer, COP-26 Coalition)

for details of this Zoom meeting contact – edinburghric@gmail.com

see article on the impact of the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming

Code Red by Mike Small, bella caledonia

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2021/08/09/code-red/

and

Scottish Independence and the Path to Climate Justice by Mim Black

https://edinburghric.org/2021/04/23/scottish-independence-and-the-path-to-climate-justice/Posted byedinburghric 13th Aug 2021Posted in Uncategorized Leave a commenton Global Warming and Organising for COP 26

RIC EDINBURGH REPORT, 24.7.21

The last Edinburgh RIC report was submitted to the abortive national AGM on 17.1.21.

Edinburgh RIC has continued to organise. No local group reports were taken at the relaunch national RIC conference on 6.2.21 or at the revived National Forum on 26.6.21. Therefore, this report will cover Edinburgh RIC activity since the abortive RIC AGM.

Edinburgh RIC Organising Meetings

11.2.21 – It was unanimously agreed that Edinburgh RIC should continue.

Future events were discussed.

8.3.21 – Agreement on Statement submitted by Stephen Murray.

Future events were discussed.

29.3.21 – Planning a Holyrood election hustings. Initially the SNP were supportive, but the emergence of Alba meant that neither party was prepared to put forward speaker, and Lesley Riddoch had diplomatically declined to chair such a line-up. The Scottish Greens remained supportive throughout, and after the failure of the hustings it was decided that their speaker should address the next Edinburgh RIC Assembly.

In the absence of an election debate links to articles by Allan Armstrong (RSP), Sean Bell, Terry Conway and rs21 were posted at end of report of next meeting

Other future events were also discussed.

26.4.21 – It was unanimously agreed that Allan Armstrong and Nick Gotts should be Edinburgh delegates to the relaunch national conference on

6.2.21.

Myra Galletly would step in temporarily to take over part of the Secretary’s job – the internal Mailchimp mailing.

Other future events were also discussed.

7.6.21 – Report back from relaunch RIC conference

160 signed up, 103 were maximum in attendance at any one point.

Other future events were also discussed

30.6.21 – The Edinburgh RIC Assembly took the form of an Open Organising Meeting. Jack Ferguson, one of the national RIC conference organisers, attended. It was agreed that he would collate a list of all those from Edinburgh, who attended this conference but were not yet members. For the next Edinburgh RIC Assembly on 11.8.21. This would discuss organising RIC activity under relaxed Covid-19 conditions, including participation in:-

Cop-26 events
Covid-19 Fightback
Furthering the campaign for Scottish independence (AUOB events? etc)

From this Assembly an Edinburgh RIC AGM should be organised to elect new office bearers.

In addition, Jack would invite those who signed up as new members (along with existing members) to join national RIC Working Groups. There was a special plea for involvement in the Cop-26 group.

Allan Armstrong and Nick Gotts would be delegates to the nest RIC National Forum on 24.7.21.

26.7.21 – Next O.M.

Edinburgh RIC Assemblies

24.2.21 – Working Our Way Forward

26.5.21 – After the Holyrood election – What now? -Kate Nevens, Scottish Green candidate

30.6.21 – This took the form of an open Organising Meeting (see above).

11.8.21 – Next Assembly (see O.M. report 30.6.21 above)

Other events

17.7.21 – Protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill – Glasgow

1.5.20 – Kill the Bill Protest

1.5.21 – Edinburgh May Day – The Peoples Recovery

Other postings

Scottish Independence and the Path to Climate Justice – Mim Black

Defending Kobane is not a crime – Sarah Glynn

Armstrong, Minutes Secretary, Edinburgh RIC, 22.7.21Posted byedinburghric 30th Jul 2021Posted inUncategorized Leave a commenton RIC EDINBURGH REPORT, 24.7.21

Glasgow protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill

The Edinburgh RIC banner was at the protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill in Glasgow on the 17th July. This protest was organised by the organised by the No Evictions Network.

A full report, written by Maria Elena Carpintero Torres-Corvedo by can be seen on bella caledonia.

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2021/07/19/how-the-no-evictions-network-is-fighting-the-nationality-and-borders-bill/

The following poem by Ewan Girvan was read out on the Buchanan Street steps

THE NATIONALITY AND BORDERS BILL

This Immigration Bill is a spell

Cast by callous Johnston and inhumane Patel

Their logic is all tapsalteerie

They peddle truth most insincerely

We a’ want tae bring

Human smuggling tae an end

But what they want is

No welcome whatsoever and to send

Everyone back across the channel

Or imprison them for years

No this bill is concocted

Of veiled threats and tears

Ah mean, if your hoose wiz bombed tae bits

Or your sexuality wiz questioned

Or ye were raped and tortured

In a regime of repression

According tae this evil bill

What ye have to dae

Is tae pipe up here and then

We hiv just to say

And ask yer torturer” Could you be so kind

To describe your cruel mistreatment

And if you do not mind

Prepare my immigration documents

It’s for the UK government

I hope you understand

They won’t let me seek asylum

Unless I have my papers in hand”

No it appears to me that the only thing illegal here

Is this Bill that traumatises the traumatised with fear

Cast by the callous inhumanity of Johnston and Patel

We must deft this bill, Let’s break this spellPosted byedinburghric 22nd Jul 2021Posted inUncategorized Leave a commenton Glasgow protest against the Nationality and Borders Bill

Radical Independence Conference

Saturday, 12th June, 11.00-17.30

https://ric.scot/program/embed/#?secret=pyuDEpyjdSPosted byedinburghric 7th Jun 2021Posted inUncategorized Leave a commenton Radical Independence Conference

EDINBURGH RIC ASSEMBLY-26.5.21

AFTER THE MAY 6^th HOLYROOD ELECTION – WHAT NOW?

An introduction by Kate Nevens – Scottish Green Regional List candidate Lothians

What happens next?

All Green MSPs will campaign and vote for a referendum within this Parliamentary term
We will continue to build the Green YES movement and vision, and work with the broader independence movement and sister Green MEPs in the European Parliament
We will work with other parties in parliament on key priorities, laying the groundwork for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland eace

Our vision for an independent, fairer and greener Scotland

Investing in a green recovery and playing our part in global efforts to tackle the climate crisis
Reversing the politics of austerity, addressing social, gender and wealth inequalities, and valuing the role of care in the economy
Being a voice for peace and human rights on the global stage, and a sanctuary for those who need it

Voice & actions for peace

Nuclear-free world
AND end all support to conventional arms industry
Decolonising aid & trade; standing in solidarity with oppressed groups
Contribute to global roll out of COVID-19 vaccine

Abolish the Home Office (and Defund the Police)

End dehumanising asylum application process and end immigration detention / close Dungavel
Reunite families & provide safe passage
End outsourcing of asylum accommodation
End No Recourse To Public Funds
End Police Scotland support to Home Office

Climate Justice

Ending oil and gas extraction
Restorative climate justice and reparation funds
COP26
Collective global action

For further information contact

Kate Nevens

Kate.nevens@scottishgreens.org.uk Twitter: @katenevens

greens.scot/ourfuture

This was followed by contributions from those attending the meeting. Issues raised included the following:-

A Labour Party member said that many members in Scotland were becoming increasingly disillusioned with their party in Scotland and that some were likely to join the Scottish Green Party.

The significance of autonomous campaigns, such as those around Extinction Rebellion and Living Rent were raised. Others added the action taken at Kenmure Street in support of migrants threatened with deportation, and the Sisters Uncut demonstrations following the Sarah Everard murder, highlighted the growing willingness to take the sort of action which would be needed to defy the UK state in the forthcoming Scottish independence campaign.

Another contributor thought that the demand to defund the police, which made immediate sense in the USA and had been highlighted by the Black Lives Matter protests, would need to be rethought in the UK contest.

The issue of the political pressures on the Scottish Green Party arising from going into coalition with the more neo-liberal SNP needed to be considered.

The prospect of the Scottish Greens giving their backing to the Radical Independence campaign was raised. This could be brought up at the next Edinburgh and national meetings.Posted byedinburghric 6th Jun 2021Posted in Uncategorized Leave a commenton EDINBURGH RIC ASSEMBLY-26.5.21