Building a Republican Socialist Voice

What is necessary to create Democracy for Scotland in the coming months and years is for the Scottish Left to embrace the beliefs and aspirations of true republican socialism. That we are clear that the economic and social problems that weigh heavily down on Scotland have to be tackled with independence and socialism and a programme that is created by and for republican socialists in line with wishes of the Scottish Left.

While the Left Unity initiative should be welcomed for socialists and trade unionists to provide a united front to the electorate what is also required is a programnme of intent for republican socialists to present as a new model for activism as a basis to rally around our beliefs and campaign for the objectives of the Scottish Socialist Republic.

What is needed is alternatives to the moribund and inept tenets of nationalism.

That the SNP alone cannot liberate Scotland from issues of social decline or poverty it has suffered through the years.

That activism goes beyond misplaced faith in parliamentary solutions and represents core principles that we can unite and fight around to secure a new society based on need instead of greed.

That to secure democracy is not just about independence but removing the exisiting institutions and representatives of the British state and building and creating new ones. That Scotland no longer lives under the shadow of the crown or it's powers.

That Scottish independence is a necessary first step to a socialist republic so republican socialists actively campaign for a referendum on independence.

And activism means street activity to go out to the people and sell the beliefs and message of republican socialism. That a programme of action be drawn up that goes beyond one party input or sectarianism and persuades sections of the Scottish Left of the importance and lack of contradiction in utilising republican socialists principles and beliefs when fighting for a Socialist Republic against a monarchist system.

The above is set out by the Scottish Socialist Freedom Group more will follow.

Solidarity with Gail and Tommy Sheridan

Solidarity Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan has served with legal papers confirming that the prosecution against him will go ahead - more than a year after he was charged by police.

His wife Gail, also 44, was also served with an indictment over perjury charges.

Sheridan, who recently appeared on Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, was awarded £200,000 in damages after he took the News of the World to court in 2006.

However the rich scab newspaper refused to pay the damages

The Crown Office said the indictment contained a charge of perjury against the politician and another charge of attempting to persuade someone else to commit perjury.

His wife faces one charge of perjury.

A hearing is now scheduled to take place at the High Court in Edinburgh on February 26.

The perjury investigation was launched after a judge claimed conflicting evidence in the trial might have meant some people were perjuring themselves.

Sheridan and his wife have always denied the allegations and criticised the way Lothian and Borders Police handled the investigation.

The couple appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to answer the charges in March last year and were released on bail.

Sheridan's solicitor, Aamer Anwar said: "Both Mr and Mrs Sheridan maintain their innocence and are determined to fight this."

The lawyer also says that the media should respect the family's privacy.

Solidarity Scotland's Socialist Movement have posted a defiant message on their website

Police harrassment of FRFI activists in Dundee

PUBLIC REPORT OF POLICE HARRASSMENT AND CHARGING OF FIGHT RACISM! FIGHT IMPERIALISM! STREET PROTEST.. DUNDEE SATURDAY 17.01.09

The day had started very well with a militant, angry and noisy protest march against Israel’s attack on Gaza going into Dundee’s city centre. After the rally, activists from Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism, one of whom had spoken at the event, set up a protest stall in the Murraygate to continue building support for the people of Gaza and Palestine.

Once again the city centre ambassadors demanded we remove our stall as we did not have permission or insurance. Once again we told them no! The police were called this time and proceeded to threaten the comrades with Breach of the Peace or causing alarm. It was suggested they go and consult their law books and superior officers as we were not backing down to such contrived charges. They appeared to accept this but returned an hour later with a van and told those present that this time they had come up with obstruction as a charge. Third time lucky for them maybe but the comrades then began speaking to the gathering crowds explaining what the police were doing and asking them to stay around as witnesses, sign the petitions and support political rights. People were told to check out the You Tube videos about the cops in Liverpool trying to close down protest there and to check out Dundee Arrest on You Tube where a comrade was violently assaulted and arrested by Tayside police for handing out leaflets about Cuba. Speakers explained that when people start to protest here about unemployment, low wages and rent rises that the same cops would be out attacking their rights too. We were speaking out for the people of Gaza who were dying at that moment and we would not allow the police to silence us.

Talk about obstruction! - by now there was 1 police van and 100 people prepared to listen to speeches and chants about free speech. Comrades from the Socialist Workers Party joined the protest having been harassed for doing political work for Gaza that week.

By now the police action was a very public affair and they were not looking so comfortable. They charged Michael with obstruction under Section 53 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. As Michael explained to the youth present this was one of the hated Margaret Thatcher’s laws and it was no surprise that her favourite bobbies were digging it up now!

Michael was threatened with arrest if the stall was not immediately removed and after consulting with the comrades and the crowds it was decided to call a rally in the Murraygate at 12 the following Saturday to protest the harassment and charges.

We call on everyone to openly and publicly challenge this attack on democratic and political rights. Get up! Stand Up! Stand Up For Your Rights!

DEFEND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!

NO TO POLICE INTERFERENCE!

RALLY AT MURRAYGATE 12 NOON DUNDEE SATURDAY 24.01.09

Contact the campaign on frfiscotland@yahoo.co.uk.

VENCEREMOS!

WE SHALL WIN!

800 march at Gaza protest in Dundee

800 Protesters have held a march in Dundee against the conflict in Gaza.

From BBC News Report

The march, organised by Tayside for Justice in Palestine, was followed by a rally in City Square.

It comes as Respect MP George Galloway has said he intended to lead an aid convoy to Gaza.

A spokesman for Tayside for Justice in Palestine said: "Even before the military attacks, the Israeli blockade had turned Gaza into an open prison.

Thousands attend Gaza protest march in Edinburgh

Organisers estimated that 10,000 attended yesterday's Gaza protest in Edinburgh.

Police stationed themselves at various points throughout the march filming demonstraters. Protesters were prevented from getting near the US consulate by the cops who themselves complained that they were pelted with shoes, boots, red paint and wooden poles.

Terry McCafferty (video)

Terry McCafferty is an Irish POW, who had his license revoked after serving 6 years in Maghaberry gaol. His license was revoked by the Secretary of State and he was taken back to gaol just days before his first Christmas with his young family in 6 years, he had only been released a few weeks. There has been no explanation from the Secretary of State Paul Goggins as to why his license was revoked.

We have little doubt that there is no reason for Terry's license to be revoked and we believe it may be a spiteful reaction to the release of the Derry Four. It is quite clear that M15 did not get the result they wanted in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin and they have ordered that Terry be imprisoned due to the fact he has been recently released and his first Christmas with his family for years. It was designed to cause maximum misery to Republicans.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement call on all Republicans to unite to ensure that this spiteful action be overturned immediately.