STOP PRESS: 30 years on, we must learn the lessons of Chernobyl. 26th April marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. In recognition of that and the subsequent nuclear tragedy at Fukushima, CND has called on the government to abandon plans for a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK.
Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “30 years on from the world’s most serious nuclear disaster, we remember the thousands of lives lost and blighted by the impact of radiation, the homes and livelihoods abandoned and destroyed in Ukraine and other affected areas. Today we bear witness to the legacy of environmental destruction and continuing damaging health consequences that live on.

THERE ARE STILL  HUSTINGS TO ATTEND before the Election on 5th May.  A list of Hustings can be found by clicking on events on the right of this page. Suggested Questions in previous posts.

2 days after the election we will be at the  May Day celebration. The annual May Day march assembles 11.30am at Johnston Terrace on Saturday 7th May and sets off at midday marching (join us behind our banner) to a rally at the Pleasance (with Penny Stone and stalls) https://www.facebook.com/events/1717615495148829/ and events here.

And in June: Our benefit at The Stand: Benefit in Aid of Edinburgh CND at The Stand Edinburgh on Tuesday 21st June. Tickets cost £7 (£5 concs) and can be reserved through the Stand website, their box office on 0131-558 7272 or bought direct from Edinburgh CND on 0131-538 7298 or edinburghcnd.org or on the door. https://www.facebook.com/events/256460924690733/ and events here.

Note there is now also possible to book through Eventbrite:   http://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-benefit-night-for-edinburgh-cnd-tickets-24908790864

Other news:

1. Drones Campaign Monthly newsletter via http://dronecampaignnetwork.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f4b7a7e4e1dc9a526bdcef140&id=309f5a5dec&e=a4fa904f48

2. Peace and Justice Centre meeting: a taster session hosted by Journey to Justice and RSA Scotland On: Monday May 16th, 2016, 9.30 am – 1pm, followed by a communal lunch – please bring your own At: Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, EH1 2JL (From 9.30 am – 1pm ) Please register via this Eventbrite link: http://bit.ly/1RTLEJf
Other P and J sponsored events:
a).Don’t Bank on the Bomb Letter Writing 26 April. 2 – 4pm
Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre Drop in and write letters to Parliamentary candidates and financial institutions. We will provide the materials you need to call on prospective MSPs to commit to ending Scottish Parliament Pension Scheme investment in nuclear weapons and on banks to divest. b). Paper Cranes Workshop Saturdays usually 2 -4pm Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre 5 Upper Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JN The project aims to make 140,000 paper cranes in memory of those killed by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. c) International Conscientious Objectors Day Vigil with Protest in Harmony Sunday 15 May. 4 – 5pm. Footof the Mound, Edinburgh.
Next meeting of Edinburgh CAAT will be on 13 June 7-9pm in Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh.

Governments, disarmament experts, international organisations and civil society will meet in Geneva from May 2–13 for the second session of the United Nations Open open ended working group on Taking Forward Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations(OEWG).
Join  for a free webinar on April 27 at 4pm Central Europe Time to discuss this new diplomatic effort in Geneva. Click here to register

NB  You can Post your questions or opinions on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #LetsTalkNukes. If you do that, your post will appear on the #LetsTalkNukes page.

 

 

1. Edinburgh CND is supporting the Anti Arms Trade Fair organized by CAAT
   Saturday 16 April, 11am – 3pm. Foot of the Mound by the Royal Scottish Academy
   (If construction work is on on the day – the East End of Prince’s Street).
   Let’s celebrate our resistance to the dealers of death…
   What moves can we make together to turn investment from arms to renewables, to switch the resources to public funding for health and education?
   Come along to find out the facts behind the dealers of death – the profiteers of the arms trade – big and small and in our midst.
   Find out more about global and UK government military spending, how the arms trade fuels conflict and contributes to the refugee crisis, UK involvement in bombing Syria & Yemen, and how you can get involved in changing all this.
   The Anti Arms Trade Fair is a chance to get the facts out there, to make new contacts and to share our networks.
   Let’s analyse, plan and be inspired by testimonials and speeches from individuals affected by the arms trade and organisations working on alternatives for military spending.
   Paper Cranes Workshop This day and all Saturdays 2 – 4pm.
   Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre 5 Upper Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JN The project aims to make 140,000 paper cranes in memory of those killed by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs
   Meanwhile in London: Tens of thousands of people are getting ready to demonstrate on tomorrow’s People’s Assembly march for health, homes, jobs and education.
   Join the People not Trident bloc to demand an end to plans to replace Trident at a cost of over £100 billion. The money is clearly needed elsewhere, and our campaign needs to take advantage of this critical moment.
   Sign up to the Facebook event Gather 1pm, Sat 16th April on Gower Street London (look out for the CND banner). CND thanks all those who donated to this event.

2. Next meeting of Edinburgh Stop the War Monday 18 April
We meet 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace – hope to see you there

3. Peace Hustings Thursday 21 April. 7:30 – 9:15pm. Augustine United Church.41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1690475707893418/ – Please share and invite friends!Please come along with your questions about the role Scotland and MSPs can play in promoting international peace. Although defence is not a devolved issue, there is a lot we can do on a local level, for example to promote positive alternatives to the declining shipping industry.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER HUSTINGS TO ATTEND A list of Hustings can be found by clicking on events on the right of this page. Suggested Questions in previous post

NB Hustings list has been updated!

4. Don’t Bank on the Bomb Letter Writing 26 April. 2 – 4pm Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre Drop in and write letters to Parliamentary candidates and financial institutions. We will provide the materials you need to call on prospective MSPs to commit to ending Scottish Parliament Pension Scheme investment in nuclear weapons and on banks to divest.

5. The general public, as well as party members, are able to make submissions to the Labour Party Defence Review. Please use this opportunity to tell Emily Thornberry that you are opposed to Trident. Submissions can be made to defencereview@labour.org.uk The deadline is 30 April.
For help see British CND submission to Labour Defence Review and
Labour CND advice on making submissions to the review on their respective websites

6. Public meeting, Saturday 30 April
This is an Important public meeting on the Prevent legislation, which is being implemented in Scotland. 5pm at the Augustine Church on George 4th Bridge. Organised jointly with the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh, SACC and UAF. Check out the FB event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1674489076164375/

7. May Day celebration (supported by Edinburgh CND). The annual May Day march assembles 11.30am at Johnston Terrace on Saturday 7th May and sets off at midday marching (join us behind our banner) to a rally at the Pleasance (with Penny Stone and stalls) https://www.facebook.com/events/1717615495148829/ and events here.
8. SETSUKO THURLOW, HIBAKUSHA THE GLOBAL NUCLEAR BAN INTRODUCTION FOR SCOTS TEENAGERS 4.30 pm Monday May 9th Quaker Meeting House 7 Victoria Terrace Edinburgh EH1 2JL (see previous news on this site for more information)

9. Edinburgh World Justice Festival ‘get involved’ meeting  evening 10th May in the Peace and Justice Centre

10. International Conscientious Objectors Day Vigil  Sunday 15 May. 4 – 5pm. Foot of the Mound, Edinburgh.

11. The next meeting of the Scottish Peace Network is scheduled for 2pm on Tuesday 17 May. In the electron club on the first floor of the Centre for Contemporary Arts on Sauchiehall Street in the Glasgow city centre.  The SPN also have a monthly vigil in Glasgow. Next one: Wednesday, April 27, from 5 to 6pm at Dewar’s statue on Buchanan Street.

12. Our benefit at The Stand: Benefit in Aid of Edinburgh CND at The Stand Edinburgh on Tuesday 21st June.  Tickets cost £7 (£5 concs) and can be reserved through the Stand website, their box office on 0131-558 7272 or bought direct from Edinburgh CND on 0131-538 7298 or edinburghcnd.org or on the door. https://www.facebook.com/events/256460924690733/ and events here.

13. UN Open Ended Working Group: Thanks to the initiative of campaigner Rachel Lever there are now two petitions up and running which urge the UK to take an active and constructive part at the UN Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) in Geneva. Please sign and share both petitions widely! https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Britains_Party_leaders_Take_an_active_and_constructive_part_in_UN_nuclear_disarmament_talks/?cpwdskb
https://www.change.org/p/british-party-leaders-uk-government-take-part-in-un-nuclear-ban-talks-in-may-in-geneva
Are you coming to Geneva in May for the UN Open Ended Working Group? If so, please let us know. Below is some useful information about the May sessions.
Main program – formal plenary sessions
The formal plenary sessions will be held from May 2-4 and from May 9-13. They will include sessions on each of the topics in the OEWG mandate. http://www.baselpeaceoffice.org/sites/default/files/imce/oewg/2016/program_for_plenary_sessions_oewg_may_2-13.pdf for the program.
Please contact unfold zero at info@unfoldzero.org if you have any questions about the OEWG and how to participate.

EVENTS
1. Leafleting with Edinburgh CND: This Saturday 1230 East End Princes Street (all welcome) https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghCND/
2. Hustings ( go and ask your potential MSPs about their views on Trident). Please go along to any you can: Trident questions on the waste of money are always relevant! There are suggested questions in the previous post on this site. A list of Hustings can be found by clicking on events on the right of this page. In particular we invite people to the Peace and Justice Centre Hustings on the 21st https://www.facebook.com/events/1690475707893418/ STOP PRESS 13th APRIL hustings in Restalrig Community Centre and 14th April Broughton St Mary’s (Edinburgh North and Leith)
3. Global Day of Action Against Military Spending in Edinburgh Saturday 16th April, 11am – 3pm On the Foot of the Mound (Or if the current construction work is still on on the day, the East End of Prince’s Street)
Join Groups working on military spending related agendas.
4.May Day celebration (supported by Edinburgh CND). The annual May Day march assembles 11.30am at Johnston Terrace on Saturday 7th May and sets off at midday marching (join us behind our banner) to a rally at the Pleasance (with Penny Stone and stalls) https://www.facebook.com/events/1717615495148829/ and events here.
5. Our benefit at The Stand: Benefit in Aid of Edinburgh CND at The Stand Edinburgh on Tuesday 21st June. This is a busy and crucial year for our campaign-all the more reason to lighten up with laughter while raising money and reaching out to a new audience. Can you help make this night a winner by selling tickets to friends and families, by helping run the event and donating raffle prizes? Tickets cost £7 (£5 concs) and can be reserved through the Stand website, their box office on 0131-558 7272 or bought direct from Edinburgh CND on 0131-538 7298 or edinburghcnd.org or on the door. As well as the money from ticket sales we hope to run a raffle to raise even more cash. This means top quality prizes donated by you! We’ve already been offered red wine by one generous supporter https://www.facebook.com/events/256460924690733/ and events here.

NEWS FROM organisations:
1. April 2016 edition of CND’s Campaign magazine with guest articles from Chair of Parliamentary CND, Caroline Lucas MP and the General Secretary of the Public and Commerciall Services Union, Mark Serwotka. http://cnduk.org/cnd-media/campaign-magazine
2. Peace and Justice News: http://peaceandjustice.org.uk
3. nuClear News No.84 April 2016 is now available for downloading here http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo84.pdf
4. Footprints for Peace (Australia) latest: http://www.walkingforcountry.com.au
5. Since his election as leader of the Labour Party, CND Vice-President Jeremy Corbyn has challenged the consensus on Trident replacement which had developed at the top of Britain’s two main parties. The policy review is now underway, led by Shadow Defence Secretary Emily Thornberry, and you don’t have to be a member of the Labour Party to make your views heard. All of us have an opportunity to influence Labour’s policy on nuclear weapons. http://cnduk.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50a46ed98fb9032bd46d11880&id=f5fc7ac7e6&e=96dcf14be7

6.We received this message from London. Setsuko will also be visiting Edinburgh and will be with us on 9th May. More info to follow.

Religions for Peace in partnership with Quaker Peace and Social Justice is organising this event with Setsuko Thurlow, May 12 at 6.00pm at Friends House in London.QUAKERS IN BRITAIN AND RELIGIONS FOR PEACE UK A Noiseless Flash – a rare chance to hear first hand the testimony of Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow FRIENDS HOUSE 173-177 EUSTON ROAD LONDON NW1 2BJ THURSDAY MAY 12 2016 6.00 PM (NO CHARGE)
Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of Hiroshima, will be speaking in London on
Thursday May 12, 2016 at Friends House. She will talk about how she has been inspired by the humanitarian initiative reframing the issue of nuclear weapons from deterrence to their humanitarian consequences and the strong push this gives a nuclear Ban Treaty. Setsuko says, “How much longer can we allow the Nuclear Weapon States to
wield this threat to all life on earth? The time has come for action to establish a
legally binding framework to ban nuclear weapons as a first step in their total
abolition.” Setsuko was a 13 year-old student on August 6th 1945, working for the military
in Hiroshima to decode secret messages. At 8:15 that morning she recalls
being given a pep-talk by an Army General when a bluish white flash filled the
room, and she remembers the sensation of floating in the air. She married James Thurlow in the 1950s and settled in Canada where she dedicated her life to working for nuclear disarmament. She has been recognised by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, named Peace Ambassador by Hiroshima City and is the recipient of the Order of Canada Medal, the highest honor for Canadian civilians. In 2015, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2016 she was named Arms Control Person of the Year.

“The truth is, we all live with the daily threat of nuclear weapons. In every silo,
on every submarine, in the bomb bays of airplanes, every second of every day,
nuclear weapons, thousands on high alert, are poised for deployment
threatening everyone we love and everything we hold dear.”

 

April Edinburgh CND meeting is on Monday 4th April 6pm in ACE 17 W Montgomery Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5HA

There is much to discuss (including the events below):

Click on events to see details of events including: Our benefit at The Stand,                         May Day celebration and                                                                                                                           Dates of hustings ( go and ask your potential MSPs about their views on Trident). Please go along to any you can: Trident questions on the waste of money are always relevant!

Please help us to keep the list up-to-date by e-mailing new information on Hustings to edinburghcnd@yahoo.com and we will add them to our list.

Here are a few suggestions for questions:
1. If elected will you join the Parliamentarian Network for Nuclear Disarmament (PNND: http://www.pnnd.org/) and sign ICAN’s Parliamentary Appeal? ( http://www.icanw.org/projects/appeal/) The idea here is to give a clear and concrete expression to the Scottish desire to stand aside from the nuclear weapon states (particularly the UK) and show solidarity with the majority world which favour a global ban. It ties in also with continuing hopes for independence and national status at the UN.
2. Will you commit to working in collaboration with other parties and individuals in other parties on the common platform of disarmament so that the Parliament’s rejection of nuclear weapons is not weakened by inter-party strife?
3. Will you push for the legality of Trident to be properly examined within Scots Law?
4. Will you do what you can to ensure that the Scottish Government takes action on emergency planning in relation to Trident weapon convoys through Scotland?                       5. Hustings Questions from Don’t Bank on the Bomb Q.1 SNP / Labour / Green Party is against Trident renewal but the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme (administered by Fund Managers Baillie Gifford) have invested £244,517 in Rolls Royce which manufactures the propulsion system, (reactors) for Trident submarines. Would you support divestment of the SPPS from companies such as Rolls Royce that manufacture components for Trident and other nuclear weapons systems?
Q.2 With the global movement for a ban on nuclear weapons now supported by 123 countries production, possession and deployment of nuclear weapons is becoming increasingly stigmatized internationally & will sooner or later be illegal. This means investments in nuclear weapons is increasingly a financial risk. Would you agree that it would therefore be prudent for the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme to divest from companies producing nuclear weapons.

Other News:

1. Global Day of Action Against Military Spending.
   The purpose is to raise awareness on military spending issues and to make the event more visible and more attractive to the public by having several groups working together, thus raising awareness more effectively, which would benefit all groups.
   All groups could have information stands and leaflets to give out, although it would be great to also have a common leaflet to give out on the day. We have asked Rhythms of Resistance and others if they could come and play some music on the day, and there may be some speakers too. If you have any other ideas for the programme, fire away! Nothing is set in stone yet, and collaboration is key to make it a nice event.
   When: Saturday 16th April, 11am – 3pm
   Where: On the Foot of the Mound (Or if the current construction work is still on on the day, the East End of Prince’s Street)
   Who: Groups working on military spending related agendas, hopefully you
2. Trident Ploughshares: SEE NUCLEAR WEAPONS . .
   they’re vile and stupid and costly. We want to do our bit for global disarmament. So we told them about it, again and again. We blockaded Faslane and took to the streets. We elected an anti-Trident Scottish Parliament. We elected anti-Trident MPs in May last year and shook a saltire at the big demo on 27th February this year . AND THEY STILL HAVEN’T PAID US ANY ATTENTION so now we are heading for Berkshire for 7th June for the Scottish Day in the Month of Peaceful Direct Action against the nuclear weapon assembly plant at Burghfield where people from all over the UK and beyond will be doing their best to put A GENTLE SPANNER IN THE WORKS. People will be doing different and imaginative things to disrupt the ongoing work of the plant. Some of these things could lead to arrest but there are also support tasks to be done and people doing these will not be risking confrontation with the law. JOIN US IF YOU CAN To give real support to peace folk down south (including our MPs) who have to face a much more apathetic and even hostile response compared to Scotland To show our commitment to ridding, not just Scotland, but the UK and the world of nukes, To signal to the UK government that resistance to Trident will continue, whatever Westminster decides. There will be shared transport to and from the area and accommodation when we get there. We are also holding a special prep meeting on 19th APRIL in Edinburgh from 1.30 to 3 pm in the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre, 5 Upper Bow, Edinburgh, EH1 2JN, close to the castle. FOR MORE INFO scotland@tridentploughshares.org                                                                                                    3. A Trident Warhead convoy that arrived in Scotland on 10th March was stopped briefly in Balloch. If you see this convoy on the road let Nukewatch know on 0345 4588 365. Videos and more information from Nukewatch or see the briefing from Scottish CND                                                                                                                                          And for anyone who couldn’t get to the big Stop Trident demo in London in February you can still catch a bit of the action on Live Stream (see earlier post).                            4.The President of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), Christine Blower, this week called for an end to Trident as she addressed her trade union’s annual conference. The NUT is just one of many organisations which has supported CND’s People not Trident campaign, agreeing with us that the government’s cuts aren’t based on the needs of the economy, but on politics. It is unacceptable that the government can spend well over £100 billion on a weapon of mass destruction, but it can’t find the money to pay teachers and nurses a decent wage, build enough homes or invest in safe and secure energy sources. Join CND as we march against Trident and in favour of health, homes, jobs and education in London on Saturday, April 16th. (N.B. See last news for job in London Office)                                                                                                     5. Link to the Drones campaign in Germany.  http://www.ramstein-kampagne.eu/appeal/  On the link it asks you to sign the petition and share on fb.          6. Scottish Parliament Elections  Women’s Voices The SWC is holding a women’s voices hustings event on Saturday 9th April. Women will be given the opportunity to discuss key issues, concerns and priorities not only with other women, but with representatives from Scotland’s main political parties. Those attending will participate in a Question and Answer session with those standing for election to the Scottish Parliament.  Date: Saturday 9th April Venue: Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor, 1-9 Grosvenor Terrace, Glasgow G12 0TA Timings: 10am – 1.30pm