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COP28 Global Day of Action

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CEASEFIRE NOW, STOP THE GENOCIDE, FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE

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CEASEFIRE NOW IN GAZA

Say NO to Westminster dictatorship!

Join our protest TODAY (23rd November), 3pm, at Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh – the Westminster government’s ‘hub’ in Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament, elected by the people of Scotland, set October 19 2023 as the date for a referendum on independence. But, one year ago today, the unelected Supreme Court in Westminster ruled it was illegal, denying us our right to decide for ourselves.

So today, one year on, we will be outside the Westminster government’s Scottish outpost to tell the British government – and His Majesty’s so-called “Opposition” to boot – that we will not accept this veto by an unelected sub-committee of the ruling class on our right to self-determination.

If you can, please come join us today at 3pm, to help make our voices be heard across Scotland, all the way down in Westminster, and beyond!

Another Scotland is possible!

The ruling class through its Westmonster creatures would like to pretend independence has gone away. Not if we can help it! THEY banned a non-party-political vote. THEY impose assaults on our human rights. THEY attack workers who are seeking to defend their livelihoods and their families. THEY give unconditional support and arms to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.

Whoever is in Number Ten, THEY are certain to continue this approach, so the dis-United Kingdom will sink ever deeper into crisis.

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Maybe, like us, you don’t want to let them get away with it?

If so, and if you can manage it, be there with us at 3pm today at Queen Elizabeth House, 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh!

CEASEFIRE NOW, STOP THE GENOCIDE

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CEASEFIRE NOW, STOP THE GENOCIDE

PROTEST AGAINST THE ROYALS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 5TH AT ST. GILES

Reaction mobilised – The Royal Company of Archers, the Assembly of the Feudal Baronage and the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs

Republic is organising a protest against Charles receiving the `Honours of Scotland’ at St. Giles Cathedral, on Wednesday, 5th July. The official ‘People’s Procession’ starts at 13.15 from Edinburgh Castle, whilst the royals leave Holyrood House at 14.10. The service is from 14.15 – 15.15.

Republic, who organised the protest at the Westminster coronation on May 6^th, is asking people to join the protest from 10.30 in St. Giles Street.

https://www.republic.org.uk/edinburgh_protest

RIC and Our Republic (Scotland), who jointly organised the Calton Hill rally on May 6^th, are organising a rally at the Scottish Parliament at 13.00.

RIC supporters who are free on the day are asked to choose which of these events they wish to attend. The police are unlikely to allow people to cross the Royal Mile.

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Below is the text of RIC leaflet for the day.

The Radical Independence Campaign initiated the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill, signed by nearly 3000 people. 750 attended the rally co-sponsored by Our Republic on May 6^th to protest against the coronation, far more than those watching the official screening in Princes Street Gardens.

Today, we are protesting against Charles receiving the ‘Honours of Scotland’ at St. Giles Cathedral. This is part of the never-ending UK state-orchestrated ‘Britfest’. We have to pay for all this pomp and ceremony and have our streets and lives disrupted yet again. We are still not citizens but live under a constitutional monarchy where sovereignty lies with the Crown-in-Westminster. The royal family enjoys obscene privileges in terms of property, income and status. They certainly use their position to avoid taxes, line their pockets and get exemptions from the laws the rest of if us are expected to obey. But these are rewards given for their role in supporting and promoting the interests of a wider British ruling class.

So, in declaring our homage to this dysfunctional family, oozing arrogance and entitlement, we are also being asked by Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer to give sanction to the City of London, which helped bring about the 2008 Financial Crash; to corporate CEOs who have made super profits during Covid, whilst our employment and residential security, access to health and care are being decimated. We are being asked to approve the major attacks on democratic rights, whether as a striking worker, environmental demonstrator, asylum seeker, potential voters or just publicly critical of the BBC.

And in Scotland, the ceremony at St. Giles reinforces state-backed sectarianism, with its recognition of the privileged position of the Church of Scotland. And we have seen another deeply anti-democratic Crown institution, the Supreme Court deny our right to have IndyRef2, voted for by the Scottish people in the 2021 Holyrood election. But the government has gone further and is now rolling back the powers of Scottish parliament voted for by 74% in 1998. Nobody elected Charles Windsor to be king, or Sunak to be UK PM, whilst Starmer has broken every pledge he gave in the Labour leadership election.

Republicanism means upholding the sovereignty of the people and out right to self-determination.

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RIC CONTINGENT ON EDINBURGH PRIDE, Saturday, 24th June

Saturday, 24th June is going to be busy day for RIC. Dundee RIC will be at the SNP special conference being held in that city. Stirling RIC will be at the All Under One Banner demonstration being held in that city. Edinburgh RIC is asking members and supporters to join the Edinburgh Pride, as we did last year. We will have the leaflet distributed first at at Dundee Pride on June 10th (see below). Some of our supporters who are also in in the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (Scotland) will be joining theKyivPride solidarity contingent and distributing their bilingual leaflet.

EDINBURGH PRIDE MARCH, SATURDAY, 24th JUNE

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Assemble outside the Scottish Parliament at 12.30 pm.

The march goes to The Pride Festival Village in the Edinburgh University Student Union complex.

QUEERS FOR RADICAL INDEPENDENCE

Scotland has not escaped the global assault on LGBT+ rights, led by the far-right in alliance with evangelical Christian groups. A new reactionary movement is gaining ground and progress for queer people in Scotland will stall and even reverse course if we do not challenge it.

The Tories, following in the footsteps of Trump’s Republican Party in the US, have increasingly embraced ‘culture war’ politics in an opportunistic bid to shore up their dwindling support and divide their opponents.

Rishi Sunak has allied with this burgeoning reactionary movement to bring enormous pressure to bear against the Scottish Parliament, vetoing Scotland’s progressive gender recognition law in January and threatening to undermine plans to ban LGBT+ conversion practices.

Meanwhile, his government has abandoned its own plans for gender recognition reform, repeatedly watered down and delayed its own ban on conversion practices, turned the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into a political mouthpiece and touted reforms to the 2010 Equality Act to strip transgender people of what little protection from discrimination they already have.

Disgracefully, some sections of the Scottish independence movement have either turned a blind eye to this backwards slide or have openly supported it. This amounts to a betrayal of all the thousands of LGBT+ people who have campaigned for independence for decades.

The Radical Independence Campaign argues that queer liberation and Scottish independence go hand-in-hand. Self-determination means the freedom to love who we want and be who we are just as much as it means the freedom to decide our own political future. The same government blocking our civil rights is blocking the road towards independence and attacking our democracy.

We want to play our part in building a mass movement from below to deliver an independent Scotland with LGBT+ rights firmly embedded in its constitution. Join us!

No pride in the British state! Radical independence now!

Reject culture war bullshit! Our civil rights are not a debate!

Defend Scotland’s gender recognition reform!

Ban conversion practices now!

End anti-LGBT violence

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CALTON HILL REPUBLICAN RALLY, SATURDAY 6th MAY, 3. 00 pm

Join us on this republican rally, where Connor Baton will be speaking for RIC.

Also come to the Edinburgh May Day rally in the at 11.30 am at Johnston Terrace before joining the rally.

UNISON Lothians Health Branch is holding a social from 7.00pm in the Leith Dockers Club at 17, Academy Street.

also see

The Declaration of Calton Hill at https://www.caltonhill.scot

Announcing the Declaration of Calton Hill

What does republicanism mean?

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SUPPORT THE SUDANESE PEOPLE’S’ RESISTANCE,

Sunday 30th April, 13.00- 17.00 Southside Community Centre,

117, Nicholson Street

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EDINBURGH RIC PUBLIC MEETING, WEDNESDAY 26th APRIL,

7.00 pm, AUGUSTINE CHURCH, NORTH BRIDGE

Preparing for May 6th Calton Hill Rally and action after this

Speakers

Alys Mumford (Scottish Greens)

Connor Beaton (RIC)

Kat Carey (SNP Socialists)

Ross Mackenzie (resigned Labour councillor)

The Democracy Cairn, Calton Hill

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PARTY FOR YOUR RIGHT TO FIGHT

Organised by Trade Unions in Communities

RALLY ON CALTON HILL ON MAY 6th, 15.00,

TO PROTEST THE ROYAL CORONATION

Sign the Declaration of Calton Hill

www.caltonhill.scot

See RIC article in bella caledonia

Announcing the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill

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PROTEST AGAINST THE TORY ANTI-WORKING CLASS BUDGET,

15th March, 11.15 am

UK Government Hub Scotland, Queen Elizabeth House, 1 Sibbald Walk (off the High Street) Edinburgh

Organised by the RMT, supported by PCS, other unions, and Trade Unions in Communities

Working class communities have suffered far too much from the Tory cuts agenda and we urge a turn out in big numbers at this demonstration to make it clear that we won’t tolerate this any longer.

For any queries or further information please contact Regional Organiser Gordon Martin on 07884 655217 or email gordon.martin@rmt.org.uk

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Trans solidarity. Portobello Library, Tuesday 14 March, 6.15 p.m.

Call to action from Lighthouse Books in support of Queer community in Portobello and beyond.

As many will have already heard, a transphobic event is due to be held at Portobello Library 14th March 6.15pm- 7.45pm, titled ’School and Gender Identity’.

Events like this are whipping up a moral panic about trans children by spreading misinformation and fear.

Over the past few months known gender critics have been targeting schools, families and local businesses with inflammatory leaflets, spreading misinformation about trans children.

Though couched in language of concern and free speech, this event is borne of bigotry and intended to fuel and foster anti-trans sentiment. Scratch the surface and it is abundantly clear that the central agenda of organisers is to undermine progress on LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools, and trans equality and solidarity more widely.

Join us in saying no to hatred.

We are proud to collaborate with queer parents, families and community groups to share the following resources in response to their call to action. We hope this will facilitate engagement with what is happening and help as many as possible to play a part – in whatever way you can – in saying no to hatred, and in standing together against the spread of bigotry in our neighbourhoods.

Action:

Contact MSPs, the venue, and council members. (Email templates below)

Join a counter protest on Tuesday

Spread awareness and the message that hatred has no place in Edinburgh.

Get informed. There are loads of resources out there that are rigorously researched and can help you counter anti-trans rhetoric.

Here’s a link to the Lighthouse Bookshop Facebook event

https://www.facebook.com/events/745642446937974/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2252%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22[%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22share_link%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%22invite_link_id%5C%22%3A517847903829565%7D%7D]%22%7D

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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Demonstrate against council cuts

Thursday 23^rd February, 8.30 am

City Chambers

249, High Street,

Edinburgh

EE1 1YJ

UNISON City of Edinburgh opposes the planned £76 million of further cuts to services that will impact on all sectors of our communities.

Hundreds of millions of pounds have been cut from the council budget throughout the years of austerity. As a result of the cuts the most vulnerable in our society are put at greater levels of risk and can slip through the net.

From the cradle to the grave the services provided by council workers and our colleagues in the community and voluntary sector continue to be asked to do more with less.

Exhausted and undervalued staff are leaving jobs across the public sector due to the lack of value placed on them and the services that they provide.

Work related stress and other mental health related illness is a direct result of the unacceptable demands placed on the remaining staff, employers are failing in their health and safety commitments and their duty of care.

Workers continue to see the value of their take home pay decrease year on year due to the below inflation pay awards. The fact that the council have only budgeted for a 3% pay award for the next pay award is an example of how they wish to continue to erode the value of take home pay.

We will be going through each page of the budget cut proposals and calling out the risks that they will cause to our members and our communities.

The Scottish and Westminster governments must invest in local government and enable councils to control their own budgets to truly meet the needs of the public they serve.

The Scottish government must stop treating Edinburgh worse than any other authority and ensure that it receives the finance that is needed to provide meaningful services.
UNISION City of Edinburgh will be holding a demonstration, and making a deputation, to the full council budget

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2 EVENTS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ONE YEAR AFTER PUTIN’S RUSSIAN IMPERIAL INVASION

We are now approaching the sombre anniversary of this continuing attack on civilised democratic values. On the weekend of February 24th 2023, Edinburgh will host events to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine, and pay respect to its sacrifices and its struggle for freedom from tyranny. This will culminate on February 26th at the Usher Hall with a special, one-night-only event, a tribute concert, SALUTE UKRAINE!

SALUTE UKRAINE! will acknowledge the seriousness and tragedy of this anniversary. But it will also celebrate the strength and resilience of Ukraine, it’s independence and its growing status as a leading defender, if not THE leading defender of modern, pluralistic, democratic freedoms across the world. The show’s ticket price is low. This is not a fundraiser, but a coming together of many hundreds of displaced Ukrainians along with Scots in an expression of solidarity and love.

SALUTE UKRAINE! will feature video messages from the frontline and from displaced Ukrainians currently living in Scotland alongside a programme of music and poetry from outstanding Ukrainian and Scottish artists. I

RIGHT TO STRIKE RALLY

Wednesday, 1^st February, 1.00 pm

Southside Community Centre

117 Nicolson Street

Newington

Chair

Willie Black

Speakers

Michael Hogg (RMT)

Tracy Miller (UNISON Lothian Health Branch)

Colin Fox (SSP)

Linda Sommerville (STUC)

(This rally has been organised by the Trade Unions in Communities Hub in Craigmillar (https://tuic.org.uk). Edinburgh RIC had donated £100 to the hub)

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UKRAINE: VOICES OF RESISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY

Lighthouse Books, 43-5 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DB

Saturday, 21^st January, 7.00 – 8.00 pm.

Speakers –

Chris Ford, Ukraine Solidarity Campaign and co-editor of the book

Taras Fedirko, Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, Edinburgh

The world is becoming an ever more violent and oppressive place. Competing imperialisms, some growing in influence, others declining, are jockeying for place in an increasingly unstable global order. Whole nations and peoples have been repressed or invaded, either directly by imperial powers or by their local allies. We have seen this in Iraq, Syria, Kurdistan, Palestine, Yemen and Xinjiang. Most recently, we have witnessed the bloody invasion of Ukraine, launched by Putin’s Russian empire on February 24^th, 2022.

Putin thought that this invasion would be walk over, and the USA and leading European powers initially thought so too. However, Putin’s invasion was met by the resistance of ordinary Ukrainians. Initially they were often unarmed, or only lightly armed. This in the face of Russian heavy artillery, air strikes and then tank-led troops. Women have been to the forefront of these communities of resistance and have been some of the main victims of the continuing occupation. The Donbas miners, with their history of opposition to exploitation and oppression by Ukrainian oligarchs, are also now in the front line of resistance against Putin and his kleptocrat backers. Women and the Donbas miners have already won widespread international solidarity.

This meeting, organised by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (Scotland), invites people to hear the arguments presented in the book, Ukraine: Voices of Resistance and Solidarity. USC(S)’s New Year resolution is to help organise the solidarity necessary to support the people of Ukraine and end the Russian occupation. Self-determination whether, national, social or individual, needs to be defended wherever it is threatened. Please come to this meeting and bring others along too.

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TIME FOR SCOTLAND

Edinburgh Rally, 5.15 pm, outside Scottish Parliament

Why are we organising for Supreme Court decision day?

The Scottish Government has made a reference to the Supreme Court to establish whether the Scottish Parliament has the power to hold an independence referendum.

The case was heard on the 11th and 12th of October.

The verdict will be made public on Wednesday 23 November. That day Yessers must turn out for media who are almost bound to be in Edinburgh and will otherwise do pieces to camera outside an empty forecourt at Holyrood. Will a rally outside the Scottish Parliament get TV coverage? Well, it did on Brexit Day 31 Jan 2020 when 2-3 thousand folk gathered to demonstrate our opposition to Scotland being hauled out of Europe against the people’s will. It was a significant date and the media were in Edinburgh to tell the story of Scotland’s very different reaction to finally leaving the EU. The rally ensured they got the message that Scots actually care with colourful, visual banners, home-made placards and pipes. Filmmaker Charlie Stuart made this short video showing just some of the 15 UK and foreign broadcasters he spotted that night.

Really positive images of indy supporters went right round the globe that night. The chances are very high that we can do it again the day the Supreme Court’s decision is announced. But we need to gather that same day – not wait till it’s more convenient.

Unlike previous Prime Ministers, independence campaigners will not be attacking the legal system or dismissing judges as ‘enemies of the union’. But if the verdict goes against the Scottish Government we will ask how on earth the nation of Scotland – supposedly an ‘equal partner’ in the UK – can ever hold a lawful vote about its own future.

Time for Scotland rallies across Scotland will lay that challenge directly at the door of Number Ten.

Read More

Who’s organising?

A small steering group is organising sound systems, speakers and liaison with Scottish Parliament authorities so everything is ready to roll when we get notice of the verdict. We’ve also set up this website to make notification as easy as possible – so please sign up rather than sending individual messages because as volunteers we have no time to answer.

So, if you’d like to be part of the Time for Scotland protest – please register here.

It is that simple.

And it’s just the start.

Lesley Riddoch (for the Time for Scotland steering group)

ALLAN ARMSTRONG WILL BE SPEAKING FOR RIC. RIC ORGANISED THE ‘LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE’ RALLY AT THE SUPRME COURT IN LONDON ON 11th OCTOBER.

(https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/protesters-supreme-court-call-people-28210259)

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COP-27 INTERNATIONAL PROTEST

Saturday, 12th November, St. Andrews Square, Edinburgh, 12 noon

Many groups which formed part of the Cop26 Coalition (including RIC) will be assembling to march a route that brings to life the multiple crises we are facing. At each location, groups will engage the march in key issues and resistance: expect music, art and excitement! Check out the Facebook event for more info, including the specific route.

This is part of a global day of action called by Egyptian groups organising for the Cop 27 conference at Sharm El-Sheikh. With pressure mounting due to the global cost of living crisis, a record-breaking year of climate catastrophes, and the prospect of yet another unelected prime minister, this is our opportunity to show our leaders, our communities and our international allies, that we’ve had enough of inequality, injustice and climate collapse. On 12 November we take a stand for a more just and sustainable future.

REPUBLICANISM AND ORGANISING THE CHALLENGE TO THE CORONATION

Wednesday, November 2nd, 7.00 pm

Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge

RIC protest at the royal proclamation at St. Giles on 16.9.22

This is national RIC meeting hosted by Edinburgh RIC

Maggie Chapman (Scottish Greens), Simon Barrow (SNP Socialists), Connor Beaton (RIC), Tristan Gray (Our Republic) will speak

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CLIMATE CAMP ’22

This summer Climate Camp Scotland will take place somewhere in Aberdeen, 28th July – 1st August, to take the climate justice struggle to the heart of big oil.

Our camp will be a people-powered experiment where we will eat, learn and live together as well as take action against the corporate greed and profiteering of oil and gas that is keeping people in poverty and destroying our planet.

We invite you to join us in Aberdeen to put an end to new fossil fuels and instead crank forward a community-led just transition towards renewable energy democracy.

Interested? Register to take part now by clicking here, it’s free and helps us out a lot!

+ Read the Practical Information briefing for info about mobility, transport, accommodation, language, food and well-being at the camp

also see:-

As the climate crisis hits home, our governments are pouring fuel on to the fire. Let’s stop them.

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Defend Kurdistan, Saturday, 11th June, 11. am, Scottish Parliament

Film – A Portrait of Sheikh Bayoh, Friday 10th June, 17.00

ANNUAL JAMES CONNOLLY COMMEMORATION

Edinburgh May Day March and Rally, 7.5.22, 12.00 noon

After two years of online May Day events we expect to be back on the streets in 2022. Assemble 11.30 on Saturday May 7th for a midday start at the top of Johnston Terrace – we’ll march to the Pleasa nce where there will be stalls, music and a rally. More details fo follow but please put the date in the diary, share the event with your friends and workmates and make sure that your union branch or campaigning groups that you have links to are organising contingents for the march.

Wednesday, March 30^th, 7.00 – 8.30 pm

Edinburgh RIC

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

If you wish to attend please contact

edinburghric@gmail.com

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Saturday, 12^th March, 14.00-15.30

Zero Covid Scotland

Scotland needs a credible Covid strategy

https://www.facebook.com/events/2171884996297689/?ref=newsfeed

RUSSIA GET OUT OF UKRAINE

Sunday March 6^th 3pm

Castle Street, Edinburgh

Sunday 6th March is an International Day of Solidarity with Ukraine – called originally by Code Pink, CND and the Stop the War Coalition.

This event is coordinated by Edinburgh peace and anti-war groups. We plan to form a human chain along both sides of Princes Street. We will be there in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and with Russian anti-war protestors and we will be calling for a stop to war and for Russian Troops to withdraw.

EDINBURGH RIC ASSEMBLY.23.2.22

Wednesday 23^rd February, 7-9pm Scotland – beyond the pandemic.

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

Scotland after the Virus)

Edinburgh RICs first blended meeting 7.00pm – 9.00pm Wednesday 23 February at Augustine United Ch, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL + ONLINE.

Book https://ric23feb.eventbrite.co.uk + Share https://facebook.com/events/1054480155098748

For those who’d like to meet-face-to-face for the first time in ages it will be great to meet up again; and for those who can not make it in to Edinburgh for whatever reason there will be a Zoom link.

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COMMUNITY LED ACTION FOR EDINBURGH – WHERE NEXT?

Are you a resident of Edinburgh keen to learn what’s emerging in 2022? Come and hear Who’s doing What & When and how you can get involved!

About this event

Find out who’s doing what to tackle Climate Disruption in Edinburgh: 6.30pm – 8.30pm Thursday 3 March at Augustine United Ch, 41 George IV Br EH1 1EL + Online.

Networking: How YOU can get involved!

The Scottish Government is supporting SCCAN to invest in ten regional community climate action networks which will then be able to bid to host one of the Scottish Government funded Regional Community Climate Action Hubs. Louisa Harvey will outline the Government’s plans.

Late in 2021 the City of Edinburgh Council awarded a grant to a partnership of Our Future Edinburgh (OFE)and Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) to establish a Community Climate Action Forum under their 2030 Climate Strategy.

In person at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL plus we hope some or all of it blended so those prevented can attend online. Doors open at 6.00pm for refreshments and viewing the stalls.

The networking event will:

Hear about Scottish Government plans for 2022Hear about Edinburgh’s 2030 Climate StrategyExpand ideas from Edinburgh workshops held in October [LINK] Relate citizen’s initiatives to Edinburgh’s 2030 Net Zero StrategyExplore how SCCAN’s regional networking fits with planned Forum Work out how everyone can contribute in our different ways.

Proposed Timetable

6.00pm Doors Open – Refreshments + Stalls
6.30pm Introductions and Welcome
6.40pm Gill Davies, SCCAN Network Manager [confirmed]
6.45pm Louisa Harvey, Scottish Government CC Division [TBC]
6.50pm Bridie Ashrowan, CEO, EVOC [confirmed]
6.55pm Speaker, Edinburgh Climate Coalition [TBC]
7.00pm Rosanna Rabaeijs, Edinburgh Climate Festival [confirmed]
7.05pm Charlie Wright, Our Future Edinburgh [TBC]
7.10pm Points of clarification / Q&A
7.25pm Break for refreshments / set up World Cafe Breakouts
7.30pm Ten Minutes on 4 tables to find out more: Scotland-wide plans / Climate Forum / Coalition campaigns / Festival events
8.10pm Plenary to capture ideas / priorities / new ideas emerging
8.25pm Feedback opportunities
8.30pm Close

A collaborative event hosted by SCCAN – Scottish Communities Climate Action Network with input from EVOC, Our Future Edinburgh, Edinburgh Climate Coalition and Edinburgh Climate Festival. To be held in person at Augustine United Church with online access via Zoom – link sent to you 2 days + 1 hour before. Key contributions will be recorded.

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Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition

NO WAR – HANDS OFF UKRAINE

Monday, 31^st January

Duration: 1 hr 30 min

Demonstrate for the right of people in the Ukraine to build their own future without threats of war. Demonstrate in solidarity with anti-war activists in Russia. Demonstrate in opposition to the UK’s role in the NATO military alliance. The protest will be at the Russian consulate 58 Melville St, Edinburgh EH3 7HF from 5pm until 5.30pm and then move to the UK government offices at 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh EH8 (just off New Street at the back of Waverley Station) from 6pm until 6.30m. Bring placards. Wear a mask.

Just Transition Commission, National Plan Framework consultation, 25.1.22, 16.00

COP26 PROTEST, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5.00 pm SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Edinburgh COP26 Coalition is protesting at Holyrood on Wednesday, 5pm – 6.15pm because BP is inside spreading greenwash to MSPs, by promoting themselves as the solution to the climate crisis they continue to create.

BP promises net zero by 2050, that is 20 years too late. The United Nations have stated 2030 is the last chance for net zero, after which fossil fuels will have pushed the world well beyond the critical 1.5 degrees centigrade limit.

Bernie Looney, BP’s CEO celebrated ‘higher throughput’ generating £3,3 billion profit in the last quarter of 2021 compared to £86m the year before. Combined with Shell they produce 1.7bn tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. Yet BP paid no corporation tax on North Sea oil 2018-20.

The corporations driving ecocide should not be welcomed but shown the door. They are knowingly endangering humanity’s future. If BP is sincere about net zero, it will immediately announce that its new Vorlich oilfield in the North Sea will not be further developed.

The public is invited to join our peaceful protest. As Greta Thunberg put it, we had enough ‘blah, blah, blah’ in Glasgow: Keep Edinburgh out of it.

JOIN THE RIC CONTINGENT ON
THE COP26 INDEPENDENCE BLOC

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6^th, 12 noon

Gather at the Lord Roberts monument, Kelvin Grove Park

for location see https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lord+Roberts+Monument/@55.8703184,-4.2818544,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x5c1835a9062d00a3!8m2!3d55.8703184!4d-4.2818544)

COP26 EVENTS

Coach Travel to Mass Mobilisation in Glasgow on Saturday 6 November

Cost: £15 solidarity price, £10 regular price, £1 low waged etc. Get your coach tickets here:

Click on this link:

edcoach6nov.eventbrite.co.uk

Or cut and paste this link:

HOST A CLIMATE JUSTICE GUEST

Here is a report from one of the Coalition activists: “I looked this up and eventually managed to fill in their form. Almost immediately I had a request from a young German woman who wants a bed for 3 nights, 4th – 7th November. There is a waiting list of 3,000 people from around the world desperate for accommodation. SO, if you have any space at all, do please consider putting someone up and contacting this network. For most of the time, they will just need a bed and an early breakfast, and maybe some help on the first day to get to the bus station. They will be given other meals in Glasgow.

https://cop26coalition.org/coming-to-cop26/homestay-network

Climate strike, Edinburgh, Friday 29th October

Fridays for Future Edinburgh school strike for climate justice, 2 days before COP so anyone who can’t make it to Glasgow can protest.

https://facebook.com/events/s/school-strike-for-climate/399658455201284/

Halloween, Sunday Oct 31, STOP CLIMATE HORROR

Assemble 10.30, The Meadows. The march will leave around 11am and be heading along the bridges and down the Royal Mile before ending at the Parliament by around 1pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/616361926221096

For wider events see: Global Justice event at-

Global Justice Now activist space for COP26

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DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE HOLYROOD PROTEST BAN

Edinburgh RIC has received the following information about
Demonstrations Against the Holyrood Protest Ban

The Scottish Parliament belongs to us, the Scottish people, not to the politicians. We should have the right to protest there without fearing criminal prosecution. Sadly, the democratic right to peaceful protest is under threat across the UK and Scotland is no exception.

From October 1st, the buildings and grounds of the Scottish Parliament will be designated as a “Protected Site” under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, meaning it will be a criminal offence, punishable with up to a £5,000 fine or 1 year in prison, to be present “without lawful authority”. The only other site in Scotland with the same protected status under SOCPA is that other noted tourist attraction, Faslane nuclear base!

This law has been made by the UK Home Office at the request of the SPCB, the committee of 5 MSPs which runs the Parliamentary estate. It’s a law made in Westminster, not Holyrood, though the Scottish Parliament has the power to reverse it. Legal experts have given their opinion that the law violates the European Convention of Human Rights (EHCR) and that protestors would have a good chance of defeating any conviction in court. But how many people will be in a position to assume the cost and risk of such a legal action?

The effect of this law is to give police a big stick with which to threaten protestors. It won’t be a question of mass arrests, but of “managed protest” where protestors are told what they can do, where they can stand, what messaging is allowed, etc., under threat of arrest.

In the run-up to COP26, what politicians fear most is protestors holding them to account for their failure to tackle the climate crisis. When politicians seek to ban protest, it’s because protest works — not because it disrupts the democratic process, but as a fundamental democratic right and a vital part of that process.

Demonstrations against the Ban

Thursday 30th September, 11am
(the day before the ban comes into effect)
No Protest Ban at Holyrood – rally at Parliament
Facebook Event

Saturday 2nd October, 11am
Embrace our Parliament!
To surround Parliament with a ring of people holding hands, to exercise our democratic right to protest and to stop the Holyrood protest ban.

EMBRACE OUR PARLIAMENT

OCTOBER 2 @ 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

holyrood map

Surround the Scottish Parliament with a ring of people holding hands, to protest against the designation of Holyrood as a “Protected Site” under SOCPA, making protest a criminal offence.

The messaging for this action is simple: The Scottish Parliament belongs to us, the Scottish people, not to the politicians. We should have the right to protest there without fearing criminal prosecution.

If you feel strongly about this, get along to our Parliament on Saturday 2nd October at 11 am and show your dissent. Meet up at at the grassy amphitheatre in front of parliament (see map link).

https://commonweal.scot/event/hands-around-our-parliament/?vgo_ee=GvkiOWjKWZIInkIb8gGS1nS7Cru3nl7cXZgCzKrxlPhOV8PCHCW2SQhD%2BF%2Fb8KUk

Edinburgh RIC Zoom Assembly
Wednesday 29^th September, 7pm

THE SNP-GREEN ALLIANCE –
IS IT A WAY FORWARD?

Alex Staniforth – City of Edinburgh Green Councillor
Craigentinny & Duddingston

Tejas Mukerji – SNP Socialists

contact edinburghric@gmail.com

SAVE OUR CARE HOMES

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION, 28.9.21, 9.30, EDINBURGH CITY CHAMBERS

UNISON will be hosting a public demonstration outside the Edinburgh City Chambers on Tuesday 28th September from 9.30am as we continue to put pressure on decision makers to #SaveOurCareHomes.

The story so far: https://unison-edinburgh.org.uk/care-workers-launch-campaign-to-save-edinburgh-city-council-care-homes/

The demo will coincide with the meeting of the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) meeting taking place at 10am.

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PROTESTS AGAINST THE KING CHARLES’ SECOND CORONATION IN EDINBURGH, JULY 6th

Graham Campbell of the SNP Socialists speaking at the rally

Edinburgh RIC members participated in the protests against King Charles second coronation, the receiving of the Honours of Scotland on Wednesday 5th July. The prorest outside St. Gilecs was organised by Republic and the prorst outside Hilyroos was organised by Out Republic. The speakers at the Holyrood event were Patrick Harvie, for the Scottish Greens, Graham Campbell for the SNP Socialists and Myra Galletly for Edinburgh RIC.

Speech by Myra Galletly

Hi, I’m Myra Galletly, speaking for RIC on behalf of Allan Armstrong, who isn’t well enough to speak today.

RIC, The Radical Independence Campaign, initiated the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill, signed by almost 3000 people – and we co-sponsored with Our Republic the protest against the coronation on May 6^th.

We’re protesting again, this time against an event which is bizarrely being passed off as a people’s event, with The Church of Scotland claiming the theme of the ceremony is the diversity of Scotland! In reality, it’s yet another pompous extravagant event, surrounded by a massive security exercise, presumably with marksmen on top of St Giles and other buildings as they were when the Queen died. All this at a huge cost to public funds, to celebrate a monarch and family who enjoy obscene privileges, and who are exempt from laws – like environmental, animal welfare, workers’ rights and anti-discrimination legislation. The Guardian has revealed that the monarch has immunity from 160 laws. And if that wasn’t enough, The Crown has the right to veto laws that might affect its interests – public and private – before Parliament can approve them.

For RIC, the main reason for protesting today is that, because of the role of the monarchy in the UK constitution, we are subjects not citizens. Sovereignty doesn’t lie with the people but with The Crown in Parliament. A House of Commons document explains, and I quote, “The Royal Prerogative is one of the most significant elements of the UK constitution…. It allows Government Ministers to, among many other things, deploy armed forces, make and unmake international treaties, and dissolve parliament.

This undemocratic UK state is now denying Scotland’s right to determine our own future, by denying an independence vote. And it’s even rolling back the powers the Scottish Parliament has by blocking its legislation.

Nobody elected King Charles, just as we didn’t vote for Rishi Sunak to be Prime Minister. RIC believes that change is long, long overdue. We need to replace unelected leaders with our own democratically elected parliament, which owes its allegiance, and can swear its allegiance, not to the monarch and the Crown, but to the people who elected it.

Two leaflets were handed out:

JOIN THE EDINBURGH PROTEST AGAINST THE SECOND CORONATION ON JULY 5^th

Republicanism means upholding the sovereignty of the people and out right to self-determination

RIC’s flag for a Scottish Democratic Republic was displayed at the Holyrood rally and the following leaflet was also handed out.

THE FLAG FOR A SCOTTISH DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Scotland’s radical history

Blue– the colour of the radical wing of the Covenanters.

Red– the colour of the Social Republic, whichappeared in the Naval Mutinies in 1797 and the MerthyrRising of 1831. In 1848 it became the symbol of the SocialRepublicanism of the Springtime of Peoples. The Paris Commune adopted their red banner. It was flown by the Red Clydesiders.

Green– the colour representing Scotland’s Irish community who have advanced republican and internationalist thought in these islands and contributed to the 2014 vote in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire to secede from the Union.

Symbolic

Blue – historically the generic colour representing a Scotland uniting the Lallans-speaking Lowlands with the Gaelic-speaking Highlands and Islands. Updated today to include all those living in Scotland, bringing their own languages, who wish to be Scottish citizens.

Red – linked with the role of early women in bringing about social change and the symbolism of red in ‘Blood Relations: Menstruation and the Origins of Culture’. It also represents a warm welcome to migrants.

Green–a concern for our environment.

Physical

Blue– the seas and skies of Scotland.

Red– the red soils of the Borders, the red shales of the Central Belt, the red rocks of the Highlands and Islands, e.g. Torridon and the Red Cuillin.

Green– the forests and fields of Scotland.

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EDINBURGH PRIDE, Saturday, 24th June

Edinburgh RIC attended the Edinburgh Pride rally on Saturday, June 24th, We handed out the Queers for Radical Independence leaflet which had already been handed out at the Dundee Pride rally.

We want to play our part in building a mass movement from below to deliver an independent Scotland with LGBT+ rights firmly embedded in its constitution. Join us!

No pride in the British state! Radical independence now!

Reject culture war bullshit! Our civil rights are not a debate!

Defend Scotland’s gender recognition reform!

Ban conversion practices now!

End anti-LGBT violence

——-

RIC Stirling was also involved in the AUOB demonstration in Stirling on June 24th

and RIC Dundee and the SNP Socialists ar the SNP special conference in Dundee on June 24th

_________________

WE ARE CITIZENS NOT SUBJECTS

The Radical Independence Campaign initiated the 2023 Declaration of Calton Hill, signed by nearly 3000 people. We welcome those attending today’s rally organised by Our Republic. We are here to challenge Charles’ coronation – a UK state-orchestrated ‘Britfest’.

We are expected to give homage to Charles and all his heirs as if we still lived under a feudal monarchy. Under feudalism the state was ruled directly from above by kings and queens, backed by whatever level of force they thought necessary. Lords, ready to swear homage, were licensed to oppress their feudal ‘inferiors’. In return they provided military backing for the monarchy whenever required.

There have been significant changes since those days, but is it is revealing that the British ruling class still wants to impose a servile subject status upon us. We are not citizens but live in a state where sovereignty lies with the Crown-in-Westminster. This means Charles exerts little power in his own right. The Windsors enjoy obscene privileges in terms of property, income and status, but these are rewards given for their role in supporting and promoting the interests of today’s wider British ruling class.

So, anybody declaring their homage to the dysfunctional Windsor family, is also being asked by Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer to give sanction to the City of London (with its special UK constitutional protection) and the greed-driven corporate CEOs (hiding their cronyism behind a screen of Westminster-backed market confidentiality). Together they helped bring about the 2008 Financial Crash and have made massive profits during Covid. Meanwhile, any security of employment and domicile, access to health and social care are being decimated. We are also being asked to approve major attacks on our democratic rights, whether as striking workers, environmental demonstrators, asylum seekers, potential voters or critics of the BBC. And that now extends to the Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be – 500 miles from that anti-democratic cesspit in Westminster and Buckingham Palace. Nobody elected Sunak to be UK PM. And nobody voted for Charles Windsor.

And in Scotland, we now have another deeply anti-democratic Crown institution, the Supreme Court, denying our right to hold IndyRef2. Exercising this right was voted for by the Scottish people in the 2021 Holyrood election. But the Tories, with active complicity or little opposition from Labour, has gone further. They are now rolling back the powers of Scottish parliament voted for by 74% in 1998. Power is being transferred from Holyrood to the UK hub just off the Royal Mile. This is BOSS – British Occupied Subject Scotland.

We no longer have the constitutional means to achieve Scottish independence. Our protest today anticipates the organised withdrawal of participation in the UK state’s directly imposed institutions. And beyond that we look to extra-constitutional, non-violent, direct action until we have completed Scotland’s unfinished Democratic Revolution.

Nae tae BOSS – British Occupied Subject Scotland

Aye tae a Scottish Democratic Republic

Freedom come all ye

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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 and 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

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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.wordpress.com/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 Staniforth, 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.wordpress.com/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.wordpress.com/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

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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.”

_____________

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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.”

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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.wordpress.com/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

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 role 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

Code Red

and

Scottish Independence and the Path to Climate Justice by Mim Black

https://edinburghric.wordpress.com/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.

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 defeat this bill, let’s break this spell. Posted by edinburghric 22nd Jul 2021 Posted in Uncategorized Leave a comment on 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