New SRSM T-shirts on sale

I have been buying new T-shirts from SRSM and as I am not a member I have provided the links below to click on if you want to purchase any of their very good stock.
New SRSM T-shirts and keyring

SRSM Shop

See Below:

Rabbie Burns the Radical

Robert Burns was born on 25 January 1759 in a cottage built by his father William Burness, a gardener turned farmer, in the village of Alloway near Ayr.
Robert's first school was at Alloway Mill. Later his father combined with a few neighbours to hire a tutor, a Mr Murdoch. Given that compulsory school education was not introduced until 1876 and schooling wasn't free until 1891, it could be said that he had a much better education than most lads of his time. Certainly Robert appreciated this and he soon developed a keen interest in reading.
In 1776 the family moved to a farm at Mount Oliphant, south east of Alloway. There they faced years of "unending toil and poverty." The situation got particularly bad after the landlord died and they found themselves "under the tyranny of a scoundrel factor."
Eventually in 1777 they broke free of his clutches and moved onto a larger farm, some 130 acres, at Lochlea near Tarbolton. It appeared more promising although the farm itself was "bleak and bare."
Robert was able to enjoy himself at the Batchelor's Club which he and his brother Gilbert helped found in Tarbolton in 1780. There the members met to forget their "cares in mirth and diversion." The chief diversion appears to have been debate, something Burns in particular enjoyed.
Robert did move to Irvine for a while in 1781, intending to learn a new trade as a "flax-dresser." However the premises where he moved were damaged by fire.
He returned to Lochlea to find his father on his death bed (His father was subsequently buried in Alloway Kirkyard). Robert, Gilbert and their widowed mother moved on to a farm at Mossgiel near Mauchline. The rent was £90 p.a., less than Lochlea. However the first year Burns bought "bad seed" and the second year there was a "late harvest." So he lost "half his crops" (Geddes and Grosset 2000).
His first collection of poems, "Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect", had appeared in 1786. Known as the "Kilmarnock Edition", it included "To a Mouse" and "The Cotter's Saturday Night." It was an immediate success and Burns spent some time in Edinburgh enjoying the acclaim.
On his return from the capital he married Jean Armour and took on the tenancy of Ellisland Farm. 6 miles north of Dumfries. Here he hoped to make a good living using the latest agricultural methods and to thus meet the needs/demands of a growing family.
During his stay at Ellisland he wrote over a hundred songs and poems, including "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon" and "Auld Lang Syne." He also trained as an exciseman as a back up should the farm fail.
When he did secure an exciseman's post however he decided to dispose of the farm altogether and to move his family to Dumfries. His first home there, uintil 1793, was in Wee Vennell. They then relocated to a house in Mill Vennell, now known as Burns Street, at the south end of the High Street.
His literary output remained prodigious. "Tam O' Shanter", one of his biggest achievements, had appeared in 1790. It was followed by songs such as "My Nannie's Awa'" and "Ae Fond Kiss." And this was despite rumours that Burns was increasingly spending his time in "howffs and haunts of seasoned drinkers." Certainly he did imbibe in places like the "Globe Tavern" and the delightfully named "Hole in the Wall."
Burns was also in trouble for his political views. He backed the French Revolution and tried to send four carronades, together with a letter "testifying his admiration and respect" to the French Legislative Assembly. This lead to an official enquiry by the Board of Excise and for a time it looked as if he might be dismissed from the service (Geddes and Grosset 2000).
In any case Burns was already in declining health. He even tried sea bathing in the hope of a cure. He eventually died from endocarditis, the effects of rheumatism on the heart.
Burns was buried in the cemetery at St. Michael's Church, Dumfries. In 1815 his remains were moved to a nearby mausoleum. In Dumfries there is also a statue at the head of the High Street. Erected in 1882, it depicts Burns resting against a tree trunk with a dog at his feet.
Some additional points about Burns....
*Burns was buried in Dumfries in 1796. In 1803 Dorothy and William Wordsworth, visiting the town, had trouble finding the grave. An appeal was launched and in 1815 his body was moved to a new mausoleum. In 1823 a cenotaph was also opened in Alloway on the banks of the Doon.
*The poetry of Burns is taught in Russians schools alongside their own national poets. Indeed the Soviet Union was the first country in the world to honour Burns with a commemorative stamp (in 1956). And even today Burns Societies flourish from Volgograd to Vladivastok and Burns Nights held in the Kremlin have been broadcast on TV.
*Colin Fox, leader of the Scottish Socialist Party, has argued that Scotland should appoint its own poet laureate as a tribute to Burns and to produce verses "true to his egalitarian beliefs." Fox, formerly an MSP, sang "A Man's A Man For A' That" during the swearing in ceremony for the Scottish Parliament in May 2004.
*The song, "A Man's A Man For A' That" is said to put the political ideas of Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man" into verse. Burns, like Paine, supported the French and American Revolutions. Burn's didn't actually join the "Society of the Friends of the People" -the radical grassroots movement of the time- but he was clearly at one with them in their desire for radical reform.
*Ross (2005) argues that it is the radical Burns that we should remember. He was "for the common people and against the corrupting power of the gentry, nobility and royalty." He also "championed a Scottish indentity and language."
http://scottishrepublicans.myfreeforum.org

Open Meeting on "Cultural Imperialism"

Being held on Sunday 19 September, 1-4pm at STUC, Woodlands Road, Glasgow. Organised by the Communist Party of Scotland. Contributions from CPS, Scottish Republican Socialist Movement, Scottish Greens, 1820 Society etc. All welcome. No charge and refreshments provided.

Forthcoming sessions are also planned on the following topics:
*Capitalism today - a catastrophe?
*Struggle for Scottish Independence

Colourful sights are promised for Wallace Day

From Paisley Daily Express


HUNDREDS of patriotic Scots will descend on Braveheart Sir William Wallace’s Elderslie birthplace later this month to commemorate his murder over 700 years ago.

The traditional Wallace Day parade will take place on Saturday, August 21, and leaves from Ludovic Square, in Johnstone, at 2.30pm to walk to the Wallace Monument, in Elderslie, where wreaths are laid.

In the evening, Elderslie Village Hall will host an evening of entertainment with Ted Christopher and Albannach, and a bar will be available.

Wallace Day is one of the most colourful in Renfrewshire’s year and the march is headed by a pipe band and many of those who go along get right into the spirit of things by wearing tartan and carrying Saltires.

Wallace, along with Andrew Moray, is remembered for defeating an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297.

Organisers say the march dedicated to the freedom fighter will draw hundreds of people from across the country.

Wallace was born in the village around 1270 and went on to become Renfrewshire’s most famous son as, along with Andrew Moray, he defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

He was named Guardian of Scotland but resigned the post after defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.

Wallace evaded English attempts on his life for several years until he was captured at Robroyston in 1305.

He was handed over to Edward I of England, who had him executed for treason at Smithfield, London.

Now the Society of William Wallace will mark his death with their latest rally.

Wallace’s deeds have long stirred patriotic Scots, with many members of the Scottish National Party using him as a symbol of independence.

The 1995 film Braveheart, starring Mel Gibson as Wallace, gave a highly romanticised portrayal of Wallace, and proved popular with many Scots.

For those of a more literary bent, 15th century minstrel Blind Harry’s The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campion Schir William Wallace is the work to turn to. It was also one of the first books to be printed in Scotland, in about 1508.

Not much is know about Blind Harry, who is thought to have lived from 1440 to 1493.

His great legacy is to have recorded stories about Wallace, which he sang or recited in verse form, which went down a storm at the court of James IV.

Hundreds of years later, Blind Harry’s work was translated and adapted by William Hamilton of Gilbertfield, himself a poet.

And it is extraordinary to think now that this became the most commonly owned book in Scotland.

To this day, interest in Wallace is strong.

The imposing Wallace Monument in Stirling, which was built in the 1860s, is visited by thousands of people every year.

The much more modest Wallace Monument in Elderslie was built in 1912.

Tickets for the evening of entertainment at Elderslie Village Hall are £10 and can be booked by calling 01236 830393.
http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2010/08/13/colourful-sights-are-promised-for-wallace-day-87085-27051215/

Protest against BBC Radio Cornwall

Mike Chappell from Kernow branch of the Celtic league is holding a 24 hour sleepless vigil outside BBC Radio Cornwall to highlight the BBC's lack of recognition of Kernow.
Starts 10am on Saturday 21st August till 10am on Sunday 22nd.
Mike will be ripping up his TV licence at 3pm on the Saturday.

Kernow Branch Celtic League have an excellent facebook site.
Also see http://celticleague.net/

New SNP Supporters Group

I have been looking for an active SNP supporters group in Yahoo Groups and have not found one so I have started my own. It is as follows;

News and Debate Forum for members and supporters of the Scottish National Party. Scottish Republicans and socialists are welcome to join.

Here we can debate the merits of Independence and keep up to date with events.
Click here to join the SNP Supporters Group.

If you are interested in Scotland's Independence Party please join today.
Slainte
Larry

About The Scottish Socialist Freedom Group

The Scottish Socialist Freedom Group (SSFG) is an Internet based organisation which exists to educate and inform about republican socialism and activism.

Members are encouraged to support an Independent Workers Republic for Scotland.

The number of members is unknown to the public but a few exist in Scotland and the USA.

Membership exists on our discussion group and those accepted to the discussion group are given automatic membership of the SSFG.

Members are encouraged to join the discussion group and partake in political activity to Free Scotland by legal means only.

Our website @ http://ssfg.weebly.com is there to educate and publicise about political events for independence in Scotland.

The SSFG has a manifesto.

The SSFG support the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement as the true republican socialist organisation for political activity in Scotland.

The SSFG support Scottish parliamentary activity by supporting the SNP as the only constitutional nationalist party that can deliver Independence for Scotland likely by way of an independence referendum.

For information or to join the SSFG on the net contact redlarry1962@googlemail.com.

Slainte
Larry
SSFG

Scottish Republicanism-and What it Means Today

I was emailed about an excellent article by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement on Scottish Republicanism which appeared in the Sovereign Nation An Náisiun Ceannasach.

For over 300 years the nation of Scotland has been shackled
to the political union of unequals that is the British
state. For centuries prior to this forced union Scotland
fought a gallant series of wars of independence against
English attempts at subjugation and annexation. That her
Sovereignty was betrayed by the parcel of rogues in a
nation which were a supine section of the Scottish landed
nobility cannot be disputed, but the British revisionist
historians who claim that this union was popular in anyway
shape or form couldn't be more wrong.
Riots broke out against the signing of the Act of
union the length and breadth of Scotland, indeed the very signatories
to the union had to meet in secret in a cellar in
Edinburgh - such was their fear of the Scottish peoples reaction.
England achieved its union by bribery and coercion
("the rough wooing" as it was called). The signing of the treaty
was conducted with an English Fleet off the Scottish coast and
an English Army massed at the border - the threat to Scotland
should the traitors not sign the Act of Union could not have
been more explicit.
Since the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 (which
made the point that ultimately Scottish sovereignty resided
with the people who had the right to overthrow any King of
Scotland should they bargain away or sell Scottish independence)
there has been a thread running through Scottish politics
that Republicans of today can relate to.
Like all subjugated peoples the Scottish have had
imposed upon them an official history of the victors that has
sought to obscure any understanding of resistance and rebellion
and that has sought to give them a historical amnesia that
prevents them from challenging the myths of the British state.
Religious sectarianism and all manner of divide and rule has
been used by the Anglo/British state and its mis-educators to
weaken and avoid a united Scottish challenge to their rule.
In such a way the Jacobite Rebellions have been
portrayed as doomed romanticism on behalf of a foppish and
effete King when in fact they had as their foundation a sincere
desire on behalf of their clansmen and others for Scottish
independence. Many a Jacobite sword had inscribed on its
blade for Scotland and no union, in English and in Gaelic.
Even more denied and obscured by the Brits and
their academic mouthpieces is the later struggle of Thomas
Muir, a radical Scottish republican and contemporary of Wolfe
Tone, who led the United Scotsmen and had excellent fraternal
relations and practical solidarity with the United Irishmen.
Just as Wolfe Tone can be said to be the Father of Irish
Republicanism so too can Muir be called the Father of
Scottish Republicanism. The British and their lackeys in the
Scottish establishment worked ceaselessly through lies, force
and spies to defeat the plans of the United Scotsmen for revolution
and the re-establishment of Scottish independence
and a Republic in the late 1790s. Muir himself had to flee to
France where he became the first non Frenchman given citizenship
in the French Republic.
The Scottish Radicals of 1820 attempted armed
rebellion and a detachment were captured on route to Carron
where they hoped to seize the cannons of the Brits at the
major cannon producing ironworks there. Hardie and Baird
died on the scaffold and the rest of the leaders were rounded
up and deported to Australia as convicts. In Greenock the
British militia opened fire on the crowd, killing many unarmed
civilians, who had risen in support of the rebellion. In the
Highlands and Gaeltacht resistance broke out sporadically
against the near genocide of the clearances and the latter
parts of the 19th century saw land grabs and the simmering
Crofters War. Michael Davitt was instrumental in helping
organise the Highland Land League. By the late 19th Century
following An Gorta Mor, Scotland saw an influx of Irishmen
and women as a direct result of the genocidal policies of the
Anglo/British state. Combining with the hundreds of thousands
of cleared from their land, Gaels of the Highlands who
had been forced into the urban industrial central belt, particularly
around Glasgow, fired an angry working class with rightful
grievance and a sense of injustice against the British state
and its ruling class. Thus they emerged with an innate dslike,
distrust and hatred for the Anglo/British state and a strong
desire for Irish and indeed Scottish independence. Out of this
working class came two of the greatest Republican socialists.
In Edinburgh was James Connolly and in Glasgow John
MacLean. They took the fight for independence and the
republic of the workers to a new plane of struggle.
Whilst Connolly was organising Irish workers and small farmers
for revolution in Ireland, MacLean was developing the
forces for revolution in Glasgow and on Clydeside. MacLean
broke with the British left due to their supine acceptance of the
imperialist slaughter of WW1 and came out for a Scottish
Workers Republic. In 1919 English soldiers and tanks were
placed in Glasgow in order to quell the growing rebellion that
was known as a Red Clydeside. He himself was jailed for
“Despite the best efforts of the unionist Labour
quislings in Scotland and their masters in
London, the question of independence runs
throughout modern Scottish history. It truly is
the elephant in the room on all political matters
in Scotland. Recently the twin tectonic plates of
independence and unionism have collided and
the attempt by the Brits to "kill independence
stone dead through devolution" has done
nothing of the sort.”
sedition on a number of occasions and his popularity
amongst the workers of Glasgow and Scotland can be
gauged by the 200,000 who came out to meet him from the
train on his release from Peterhead Gaol.
Despite the best efforts of the unionist Labour quislings
in Scotland and their masters in London, the question of
independence runs throughout modern Scottish history. It
truly is the elephant in the room on all political matters in
Scotland. Recently the twin tectonic plates of independence
and unionism have collided and the attempt by the Brits to
"kill independence stone dead through devolution" has done
nothing of the sort. In fact devolution has merely whetted the
appetite for independence in Scotland and the one party state
hegemony of the unionist Labour Party, which stretches over
50 years, has been broken with the election in 2007 of the
first Scottish National Party Government. As republicans we
can confidently say that the SNP whilst being a constitutional
nationalist party, has at its base thousands of republican separatist
members and supporters and indeed even amongst its
elected representatives a good few solid republicans and
republican socialists. Salmond himself was once a member
of the expelled republican socialist 79 Group.
From our perspective and given the political terrain
and conditions the SNP is the credible democratic electoral
challenge to unionism and the British state. Whilst we maintain
a revolutionary republican perspective towards independence
we should urge all Scots and Irish Republicans living
in Scotland to support the SNP in elections and campaign
and vote in any upcoming referendum put forward by the
SNP for full Scottish independence.
The anti colonial and anti imperialism of the struggle
for Irish independence and Scottish independence and
the fact that both struggles and nations have so much commonality
against English dominion mean that the 32 CSM in
Scotland and our Vol Charles Carrigan Cumann have not
neglected to fully engage in the struggle for Scottish independence
alongside our support and solidarity for our comrades
and their struggle for Irish sovereignty, independence
and the 32 County Republic.
The 32CSM have worked alongside and supported
efforts by the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement including
attending the John MacLean March and Rally in Glasgow
and the Anti Sectarianism march and rally at Glencoe. We will
continue this work for a Scottish Republic which we believe
could be the closest ally for the 32 County Irish Republic.
Whichever nation first gains a victory against Anglo/British
imperialism and their continued denial of our national sovereignties
will have a profound effect on the struggle in the
other. Not least because of the crisis it will create in the false
identity of British unionism that exists in both Ireland and
Scotland.

Bannockburn Rally

Saturday June 25

Bus from Glasgow 11 am from North Frederick St, George Square

2pm from 1314 Inn (Next to petrol station at the Bannockburn Trust)
to rotunda on Bannockburn site.

Speakers:
Duncan Fenton Wallace Society
Dr Jas D Young. Scottish Labour Historian
Gerry Cairns SRSM

Coach taking us to the Tartan Arms, Bannockburn Village.

Entertainment:-
White Rose
Ted Christopher
Clannadonia
Others.

Bus leaving for Glasgow 11.30 pm.

Welsh Republican Rally

Welsh Republican Celtic camp and Abergele Martyrs March and Commemoration.


The Celtic camp starts on Friday 2nd July just outside Abergele, North Wales and on Saturday 3rd at 1pm a march and commemoration of the two MAC Volunteers killed on active service in the fight for Welsh independence. Wreaths will be laid at the graves. Republicans from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia will attend.


Transport from Scotland will be provided at small cost and bring tent.