Author: edinburghcnd

edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 10th September

STOP PRESS 1. Monday 18th September 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting – Oppose Trump’s Nuclear Warmongering https://www.facebook.com/events/117168162285716/    At the monthly meeting of Edinburgh Stop the War we’ll be discussing the background to the crisis in Korea. The British government continues to through its support behind Trump. We’ll be planning action to highlight the danger of the current situation and to make it clear that May does not speak in our name. For more details see after next item.

STOP PRESS 2. The Nuclear Ban is ready for signing: In Scotland, on 20th of September, from 12 – 1 pm, there will be a “Citizens Signing Ceremony” in front of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh where anybody present can sign a giant copy of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Please come along to help leafleting and bring a banner. 

Special Edinburgh CND Public Meeting:                                                                                     122 States voted to adopt the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the UN in New York 7 July 2017 – a landmark international agreement that outlaws, categorically, the worst weapons of mass destruction and establishes a pathway to their elimination. WHERE: Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre, 5 Upper Bow, Edinburgh, 
EH1 2JN  (Next to Quaker Meeting House)
WHEN: Wednesday, 13th September 2017
TIME: 5 pm -7pm          Please come to this Edinburgh CND meeting to learn more about what you can do to support the Nuclear Ban Treaty.   Listen to a report back from Flavia Tudoreanu SCND co-ordinator and other women who attended the Open-Ended Working Groups last year and the final meetings at UN in New York this summer. STOP PRESS: we will also have a report (with pictures) of last weeks London Protest against the Arms Fair.

If you miss Wednesday, there is also a meeting on Friday: https://www.facebook.com/events/138361523424864/


Are you worried about the stand off between USA and North Korea? So are we! SCND Says: The threat of nuclear war is real and the North Korean nuclear crisis reconfirms it. Scottish CND  strongly supports a diplomatic solution and urges all parties in the current dispute to refrain from proactive military exercises and inflammatory and aggressive public statements.  Britain and other nuclear weapons states keep updating and modernising their nuclear arsenals when in fact, there’s a clear impetus for disarmament through multilateral diplomacy.  These alarming developments only go to reinforce the importance of the The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, agreed by the UN in July this year. You can read Scottish CND’s statements on North Korea on their website and find a detailed analysis of the crisis on the British CND website. More details about the nuclear ban can be found on www.nuclearban.scot or ICAN’s website.

British CND says : North Korea’s nuclear test has been in the headlights this week, as CND calls for a diplomatic, rather than military, solution to the crisis. Our September edition of Campaign magazine examines the escalating tensions.
Read Campaign magazine: September edition
Take Action:

Is the world heading to nuclear war?

CND is alarmed by the threat of nuclear war in North East Asia and the wider Pacific region. North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons and missiles in defiance of the international community, while the US and its allies continue provocative actions, threats and exercises in or near North East Asia and the Pacific. There is a real danger that these actions will lead to the use of nuclear weapons by intention or miscalculation. There are no safe hands for nuclear weapons and any detonation of a nuclear device would be a humanitarian catastrophe with global impacts. Threatening and isolating the North Korean regime risks escalating the conflict rather than encouraging solutions. We urge the UK Government to use all appropriate diplomatic, international and legal means to end nuclear threats, to push for negotiations with North Korea and a return to the Six-Party Talks involving China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the US. Both immediate and longer term solutions are needed including creating a zone free of nuclear weapons in North East Asia, a process to address the underlying causes of regional insecurity and conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and the promotion of peace, development and cooperative co-existence and security for all peoples in the region. 
We call on the UK Government to reject a military solution to the conflict and urgently use its influence to press for all involved to avoid and refrain from further provocative rhetoric or military exercises and tests. September can be a turning point for a world on the brink of nuclear war
It was truly terrible news that North Korea had tested a hydrogen bomb, against international law, the wishes of the international community and all peace-loving people. It is a disastrous development and CND strongly condemns this action. We add our voices to all those that call for a diplomatic solution. Steps now towards war could lead to our annihilation.
Read Kate Hudson’s blog post for more analysis on this latest development.

More from British CND : Let’s make September count
1. On the 20th September 2017, the nuclear ban treaty will open for signature. States across the world are invited to sign up to prohibit nuclear weapons. This is a giant step forward on the road towards global abolition of nuclear weapons. Over one hundred countries are likely to sign the treaty, but will Britain make the most of the crucial opportunity for peace?
2. CND is calling on Theresa May to take a major step to prevent nuclear war
We have written to the Prime Minister with advice on the actions she could take to prevent a nuclear war. Signing the ban treaty is one of our demands. We invite our supporters to sign the letter and to encourage friends to sign too. We will deliver the letters to Downing Street on the 20th of September.
On the 23rd September, the Guardian will carry a full-page advert in support of the global ban. Edinburgh CND have contributed.
3. Get the message to your MP Local CND groups will lobby their constituency MPs on Friday 22nd September, asking them to support the ban treaty and to urge the government to do the same. Groups are also running stalls in town centres on Saturday 23rd. Please get in touch with details of your local events and we will share them.
4. Write to the local press?
We need to raise awareness of the ban – writing to your local newspaper is a good place to start. You can find a template letter on the CND web site. Feel free to modify it according to the interests and concerns of your local community. Let us know if it is published!                                                                                                                                                           5. Educate; The September edition of the CND magazine also features CND’s peace education programme. Read the magazine here.

NB 1. See previous post on this site for a civil society appeal for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The appeal is organised by Abolition 2000, one of our partner networks, and is open for endorsement. It is endorsed by Edinburgh CND.                                                           2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/31/uk-must-take-lead-role-in-de-escalating-threat-of-nuclear-war


News from Other Organisations:  

  1. The EWJF is happy to announce the launch of Edinburgh World Justice Festival’s 2017 programme. Events will run from September 30th and end on October 16th.
    They have a wide and exciting array of events this year, including first-hand testimony from Nobel Peace Prize nominee Benny Wenda on the West Papua struggle for freedom, a family friendly day at Bridgend Farmhouse with activities showing how we can live nonviolently to our earth, and instructive workshops  on surveillance, lobbying, justice, climate change and sustainability during our main conference on October 14th.
    Check out the new website here to view the programme and reserve tickets to all our free events, including Edinburgh CNDs event on 11th October. There will also be an open planning meeting on 11th September. Please attend if you would like to be involved.
  2. The Wednesday 31st August meeting of the Scrap Trident Steering Group meeting had a gripping visit from three Korean Peace activists. Meeting notes available. They decided to write an open letter to the US Government, hand it into the consulate in Edinburgh on Monday 5th and send it to the Herald.        Malcolm Bruce signed for ECND                                                                                                                  3. The Scottish branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom have linked up with Glasgow Women’s Library to bring you an event focusing on the Peace Crusades in Glasgow & Manchester. Not all women were in favour of war in 1914-1918.  Many were particpants in the Women’s Peace Crusades.  The event will take place on Saturday afternoon, 1.30-3.30 on 30 September 2017,  at Glasgow Women’s Library. All women are welcome to attend this free event

4.. Ceilidh – Dancing for Nonviolence 15th September St. Peter’s Church – EH8 9PE
7.30pm to 11pm The Greater Spotted Ceilidh Band will be enthralling us with their epic ceilidh set once more: there will be dynamic dancing, fabulous food, outrageous raffle, cooperative games & spell binding storytelling about nonviolence.
The proceeds will both go to this series of community events towards nonviolence as well as Cooperative Game & Conflict Resolution workshops into primary schools run by Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre. For more information see our Facebook event or book tickets by clicking here.

5. The September Edition of Drones Campaign News is out: https://dronecampaignnetwork.wordpress.com/

6. Nuclear Accidents: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/637163/2017-06109.pdf

7. The August edition of the NFLA Newsletter. It contains articles on this month’s Mayors for Peace Conference, upcoming NFLA meetings, a special event for the British nuclear test veterans, the North Korea crisis and the upcoming NDA Stakeholder Summit. 

8 Nuclear Ban Treaty: What faith communities can do next! WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER 2017 6.30 PM Friends House London

9. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue:For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry

 Other News:
  1. A Book:  Voices for Peace, an edited anthology featuring original contributions from Noam Chomsky, John Pilger, space weapons specialist Bruce K. Gagnon and many others https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Peace-Resistance-Full-Spectrum-Dominance/dp/1905570899/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504344167&sr=1-1&keywords=voices+for+peace+colesTopics include North Korea, US-China nuclear relations, Russia-Ukraine and the threat of nuclear war and the importance of space in nuclear strategy. Please consider sending this email to your group. Also, I’m available to give talks, as long as my travelling expenses are covered.
2. Future of command and control (JCN 2/17)
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edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 28/9th August with Special Update 1st September

STOP PRESS on The Korean Crisis
September Meetings/events with EdinburghCND
1. Our monthly  organising meeting will be on Tuesday 5th September at 6pm in the Peace and Justice centre 5 Upper Bow EH1 2JN. All welcome.

2.Nuclear Weapons and Climate Change: Scotlands Chances: Tilman Ruff (ICAN). 5.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House Edinburgh.                                                                                                3. We will be leafleting on Saturday 9th September from 1230 at the east end of Princes Street (before Women in Black)

4. There will be a special meeting on Wednesday 13th September starting at 5pm, also in the Peace and Justice Centre. This will be a report back from the UN conference on the Nuclear Ban treaty and will be led by SCND co-ordinator Flavia Tudoreanu. There will be also be a similar meeting on the 15th (watch this space)
5. Our October Special meeting will be the annual EWJF meeting and will be on Wednesday 11th October (watch this space or see http://www.ewjf.org)
News
1. Those who follow our Facebook page will already know the latest scandal surrounding Nuclear Transportation. Nuclear warheads surrounded by explosives are regularly transported on British roads, yet authorities are wholly unprepared to handle an accident, according to a damning report.
Also see:
Please sign Nukewatch’s petition to the Scottish Government asking them to review arrangements for civil authorities preparedness to deal with a nuclear weapons convoy accidents (you don’t have to live in Scotland to sign but you do need a UK post code)
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/review-preparations-for-dealing-with-a-nuclear-convoy-accident
Please share it with your networks.
You can also read more about the report and download it at http://www.nukewatch.org.uk/?p=683
2. On the International front : The Basle Peace Office/ UNFOLD Zero tell us that the escalating nuclear threats between North Korea and the United States remind us of the importance of nuclear disarmament and urge us to take action to prevent a nuclear catastrophe and support the achievement of a nuclear-weapon-free world. 
The Basel Peace Office also invites you to join them in Basel from September 14-17 for an international conference Human Rights, Future Generations and Crimes in the Nuclear Age. The conference will include the award ceremony for the Nuclear Free Future Award.  They highlight the following commemorative days on which to take action:
3. News from London:  A. CND wrote to the Prime Minister with three clear instructions on the actions she could take to prevent a nuclear war. They invited CND groups to sign the letter and encourage group members to do the same.
– Click here to sign the letter
B. Hundreds gathered in London on Saturday 20th to express concern about the rising tensions between America and North Korea and the dangers of nuclear war. It was a powerful event that was well attended by people from all walks of life, with some brilliant speakers including CND’s own Kate Hudson.
C. CND has some exciting names confirmed for the international conference on Saturday 14th October including:
* Reiner Braun, Co-President of International Peace Bureau (IPB)
* Arielle Denis, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
* Joseph Gerson, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
D. CND will have a statement against Trident in The Guardian on September 23rd and are inviting contributions.
They will be calling on the Labour party to change their policy on Trident, and join the rest of the world in making real strides towards disarmament.
4. In their latest update Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament  (PNND) write about actions on the Korea nuclear crisis, preparations for the 2018 United Nations High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament, signing of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and we mourn the loss of PNND Council Member Tony de Brum, a champion for climate protection and nuclear abolition.
They also report on PNND (and Pugwash) actions/events for the International Day Against Nuclear Tests (August 29), and plans for the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Sep 26). See post 2 in this section.
Launching a ‘preventive‘ military attack against North Korea would not resolve the nuclear threat in the region, it would only ‘make matters much worse‘ according to PNND Co-President Senator Ed Markey, who led a United States bipartisan delegation to Korea and Japan last week.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons opens for signature at the United Nations on September 20.
PNND mourns the death of Council Member Tony de Brum who passed away on August 22. Mr de Brum, who witnessed nuclear tests as a child in the Marshall Islands, went on to become a global leader in the nuclear disarmament and climate protection movements. See also http://www.climatechangenews.com/2017/08/22/tributes-pour-marshallese-climate-hero-tony-de-brum/
NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS:
1. Edinburgh CAAT
A. Saturday 2 September 12-5pm, Edinburgh 
Prop-making for Stop the Arms Fair 
Whether you’re thinking of joining the trip to London or not, you’re welcome at Niina’s flat for some food and letting out your inner artist, be it producing slogans, banners or other props. Paints, brushes and some canvasses will be provided –if you have extra cardboard, sticks or batons, please bring them with you!
Text 07896577877 for the address, or email caatedinburgh@live.com
B. Sunday 3 September, 7-9pm, The Strathie on Iona Street
Drinks and chat with folks at Edinburgh CommonWeal
A relaxed chat about CAAT’s current campaigns on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Scottish arms manufacturing, and their divestment and education programmes.
More on the facebook event page here
**They’ll also be having a Yemen campaign strategy meeting beforehand at 5.30pm on Sunday 3rd at Woodland Creatures**
C.Monday 4 September, 7pm to 8.45pm, Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh
CAAT Edinburgh Quarterly Meeting   regular quarterly meeting. All welcome!
 D. Monday 4 to Monday 11 September, London Stop the Arms Fair in London 
Every two years, the international weapons industry set up shop in London at a huge arms fair, DSEI. The weapons sold here fuel the death, destruction and injustice perpetrated by militaries, police forces and at borders around the world. 2015 saw the biggest-ever protests against DSEI, where hundreds of people took part in a huge week of action, blocked entrances for six days and disrupted the set-up of the fair. With the arms fair planning to return in 2017, the protests will be even bigger and a huge and diverse movement is building to shut it down for good!
Edinburgh CAAT members will be travelling to London for the week of action – get in touch if you are interested in joining us.
E. Wednesday 27 September (exact time tbc), City Chambers, Edinburgh
Edinburgh City Council Pensions Committee Meeting
 The Council’s Pension committee will meet and hear our deputation request on divesting council pensions from the arms trade. Members of the public will be able to attend, and it would be great to have as many supporters there as possible. 
2. Nuclear News A. nuClear News No.99 September 2017 is now available for downloading.
www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo99.pdf
B. They are also asking for funding help:
Cheques, made payable to “no 2 nuclearpower”, to Pete Roche c/o Friends of the Earth Scotland, Thorn House, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR.
Or donate by PayPal. For details see here! : www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/help/donations.phpOr donate via internet banking to Co-operative Bank; sort code 08-92-99
No 2 Nuclear Power a/c no. 65162637
3. ICAN UK  Monday 4th September: ICAN meeting in YORK (Medact’s conference is in York on the 4-6th September), Medact have booked backstage room at the Central Hall for 16.30-18.30 slot. The Ban treaty will be on the agenda
4.  ICAN France ( http://icanfrance.org/ ) have a  group cycling around the UK to raise awareness and share ideas about nuclear disarmament.  If anyone is interested in contacting or meeting up with the group this is the mobile number for Aino as they will be on the move  – +491573258164.  Feel free to pass this email along to anyone who may also be interested – again, I know it is quite late notice!
5. Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre meetings. A. Fri 15 Sept: Ceilidh – Dancing for Non-Violence St Peters Church. Lutton place. 7:00-11:00pm. More info here.
B. Thurs 21 Sept: Celebration lunch for International Day of Peace. For volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved. Peace & Justice Centre.  
C. Sun 24 Sept: Walk for Peace Edinburgh. Starting from the terrace of St John’s church. A gentle mindful walk with poetry, song as we visit peace places around the city. 2-5pm.
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 16th August

Show your opposition to Trump’s nuclear war mongering. Friday 18th and Friday 25th August from 2pm – 6pm at the east end of Princes Street by the Wellington Statue. Scottish CND, Edinburgh CND and Edinburgh Stop the War are joining together to leaflet and petition and demonstrate our opposition to Trump’s policy and the support it seems to have from the Westminster government.
PETITION: http://act.cnduk.org/petition/StopNuclearWar
A general leaflet and petition on arms sales to Saudia Arabia and the impact on Yemen can both be downloaded from the ESTW resources page at http://www.scotlandstopwar.org/
+++++++18th August: CND Press release: Tensions continue to run high between the US and North Korea, yet the Prime Minister hasn’t thought it fit to comment.
The world is probably closer to nuclear war than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis after Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un engaged in a terrifying war of words over many days. See Website for letter to Teresa May
The US Embassy declined to accept a letter from a delegation of journalists, writers, and peace activists. The letter calls on the United States government to stop its nuclear brinkmanship in the crisis with North Korea.
Millions of people around the world are concerned about the growing threat of nuclear war. Civil society organisations are calling on the British government to call for restraint and a different approach by Britain’s main ally. British Prime Minister Theresa May has been silent about the crisis, despite tensions continuing to grow.
The letter:
Excellency
We the undersigned are extremely concerned about the growing international tension and the dangerous threats that have been exchanged between the Presidents of the U.S. and North Korea.  
We strongly urge President Trump and the U.S. government to employ the utmost restraint and to immediately engage in diplomatic talks with the aim of defusing the current situation. 
It is unthinkable that the threat of nuclear annihilation should be considered as acceptable. At this time people around the world are remembering the effects of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. We are reminded of the death, pain and suffering that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and are determined that people should not have to suffer like that again.
Negotiation and talks to increase understanding between the U.S. and North Korea and to ease the tension must be the way forward. May we humbly remind you that in 2010 a cross-party group of parliamentarians from Japan and South Korea proposed the negotiation of a North East Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone as a solution to the growing nuclear threat from North Korea. This remains a sensible and productive way forward, especially in light of the recent agreement by 120 nations in the United Nations to recognise that nuclear weapons, and threats of their use, are unacceptable and should be made illegal.
People around the world are extremely anxious for their future and we request that you convey our plea for calm and peace between nations to President Trump. We trust that statements defusing the situation can be issued immediately and a diplomatic solution will be sought as soon as possible.
The letter was handed in by: Giles Fraser, journalist and priest; Victoria Brittain, writer and journalist; Bruce Kent, peace activist; Jan Wolf, playwright; Helen Drewery, Quakers in Britain; Carol Turner, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition; Murad Qureshi, Stop the War Coalition
At approximately 1.15pm, the letter will be read out by a member of the delegation. Other members will make verbal contributions before the letter is handed in to the US Embassy. The letter itself will be published tomorrow morning on the CND web site and sent out as a press release and there will be Visuals for photographers
Supporters of civil society organisations involved in the delegation are expected to be in attendance. They will hold placards calling for an end to the race to nuclear war.
Watch Bruce Kent’s BBC 1 discussion about the growing crisis between the United States and North Korea on BBC 1.
Bruce was also interviewed for Radio 4’s Broadcasting House program – he was asked how worried are you?
 
The Scottish CND Global Ban Treaty Working Group are organising a public meeting on on Wed,  23rd of Aug at 7 pm in the Rainbow Room of the Quaker Meeting House (38 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow, G2 4PS).
The United Nations Treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons was adopted in July in New York. A Scottish Civil Society Team, including Scottish CND, and other Scottish partners in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons attended and participated.
This will be a participative meeting, so following a report back from those involved, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and raise issues.

UNFOLD ZERO writes:  UNFOLD ZERO is working with our co-founding organisations, in particular Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND) and the Global Security Institute, for a diplomatic solution to the North Korea nuclear crisis We are also working to reduce the threat of a nuclear catastrophe in other regions (such as Europe and South Asia), and to advance United Nations initiatives and processes to achieve the global prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons.

1.’The increasing tensions and threat of military conflict over North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities makes a diplomatic solution of vital importance and highest priority,’ according to Alyn Ware, Global Coordinator for Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (PNND). In the United States, 64 members of the US House of Representatives have endorsed a letter to President Trump led by PNND members  John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Jim McGovern, reminding the President that military strikes without Congressional approval would violate the Constitution, and urging him to follow a diplomatic approach. In May 2010, a cross-party group of parliamentarians from Japan and South Korea proposed the negotiation of a North East Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone as a solution to the growing nuclear threat from North Korea. The group included a number of former Foreign Ministers as we as the current Foreign Minister Taro Kono, a Co-President of PNND at the time.                                                                                                                                                           2. (with Basle Peace office) August 12 is the United Nations International Youth Day. The theme this year is Youth Building Peace. One important way youth can help build peace is to promote the global abolition of nuclear weapons. August 12 is the United Nations International Youth Day. The theme this year is Youth Building Peace. One important way youth can help build peace is to promote the global abolition of nuclear weapons.

News from other organisations:                                                                                                   1. Los Alamos (brief) Bulletin 234: Los Alamos Study Group

2. ICAN  A.. UK and Ireland Mayors for Peace Briefing which outlines activity at last week’s Mayors for Peace General Conference in Japan. It should be of interest to disarmament NGOs and ICAN / NTR group members B. NFLA media release on the Nagasaki Appeal and Special Resolution from the 9th General Conference of Mayors for Peace. 

3. Bulletin of Atomic Scientists articles on the North Korea nuclear crisis.

4. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue:For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry

5. Labour CND has prepared two Contemporary Motions which they hope Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) will submit for debate at September’s Labour Party conference. You can download the motions from their web site.
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 9th August 2017

STREET ACTIVITIES (please help if you can)
1. On Saturday12th August  Edinburgh CND will be leafleting from12 30 at the East End of Princes Street.
2. Scottish CND has received permission to hold stalls in Edinburgh on Fridays in August. The probable format is as follows. Please help if you are able:
i) set up table with some leaflets at far end of Princes Street across from Balmoral Hotel – formerly North British Hotel .
ii) run stall from 2 pm – 6 pm on Friday August 11 , Friday August 18 and Friday August 25
iii) as table and leafleting is running – do some collecting with cans.
iv) have space on stall for locally based groups to put literature and other materials on the stall (that they bring)
v) anyone who can be at the stall or rattle a collecting can on the designated dates – even for a short while will be most welcome
++++3. Next trip to Faslane Peacecamp will be on Wednesday 16th or 23rd. E-mail edinburghcnd@yahoo.com if you wish to go
 ++++4. Stop Press: Listen to Radio 4 Sunday, 9 am, ‘Broadcasting House’ on catch up. Bruce Kent and Rebecca Johnson talking about the current situation between America and North Korea.
—————————————————————————————————–
Today (9th August)  is the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. Last Sunday we remembered Hiroshima. CND reminds us that this is a time to reflect on the horrific consequences of nuclear weapons. It is also a chance to move our campaign forward. This year, the anniversary of the bombings is particularly poignant, as the UN has recently adopted a Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, which will be open for signature on 20th September. Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days remind us of the importance of campaigning for a world free of nuclear weapons, and this treaty is a step towards that goal. CND, SCND and ECND are working to hold the government to account on this treaty, but we need everyone’s help.
ICAN has published a Parliamentary Pledge to try and get our elected representatives publicly supporting the treaty. I know Parliament is currently in recess but please spread it amongst your network so that campaigners have it in their toolbox: http://bit.ly/2uBHKR1
There is a short UK focused video linking the pledge with Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the UK so please spread it on social media.
++++++STOP PRESS from CND Donald Trump has threatened North Korea with “fire and fury like the world has never seen” as the world remembers the 72nd anniversary of the US atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. Carol Turner, CND vice chair, said:
“It’s Nagasaki Day today, when the world remembers the US atomic bomb that hit a Japanese city unleashing a fire storm and winds of 9,000 miles an hour and killing 100,000 people. “It beggars belief that the US president has chosen the 72nd anniversary to threaten North Korea with ‘fire and fury like the world has never seen’. These words mark the real possibility of a nuclear confrontation. “Trump’s outrageous statement in the present climate cannot be interpreted as simply words. He has ratcheted up international tensions, already high, taking the world closer to nuclear warfare than we’ve been for many years.
“The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament condemns Trump’s comments and we call on the British government to take swift action to de-escalate this terrifying crisis before it’s too late.”
————————————————————————————————–
OTHER EVENTS.
1. Origami Cranes Workshops Saturdays in August 2-4pm at the peace and Justice Centre 5 Upper Bow, EH1 2JN
2. CAAT Drumming workshops.We know your drumming itch is getting worse and worse since last week’s workshop had to be cancelled due to adverse weather.
Since many of us are either at the demonstrations against the Israeli government funded Festival of Shalom (see https://www.commonspace.scot/ articles/11435/yvonne-ridley- israels-dark-arts-are-play- edinburgh-nicola-sturgeon- should-be-wary for more info) or out of town, you will have to build up your drumming muscles in other ways for one more week and on the 15 August we can finally hit things with a stick together again. You know what I mean!
So far it looks like next weekend and the start of next week will be dry, so fingers crossed we’ll have the weather on our side. Some drizzle won’t matter as we’ll be sheltered by the Pavilion Café again!
So see you on Tuesday 15 August 2017, 6.30-9pm at the Pavilion Café in the Meadows, for the final collaborative drumming workshop with RoR and CAAT!

3.Glasgow: Info workshop and Nonviolent Direct Action Training around the DSEI Arms Fair 11am-5pm Sat 12th August 2017 CALL OUT to take part in the No to Nuclear Blockade of the DSEI Arms Fair on Wednesday 6th September 2017, Excel Centre London.
Trident Ploughshares invite you to a day of information on the DESI Arms Fair and Non-Violent Direct Action Training on Saturday 12th August 2017 in Glasgow. The info session and training will take place at Glasgow Autonomous Space. 11am-12.30pm: Info on the DSEI Arms Fair and Stop The Arms FairWeek Of Action against it. 12.30-1pm snacks and tea (please bring something to share) 1pm-5pm NVDA Training The call-out is with a view to invite Scottish participants to the No to Nuclear blockade day of the DSEI Arms Fair on Wednesday 6th September. Please come along even if you are unsure but would like to know more. There will be no pressure to sign up and NVDA Trainings are always fun and interesting! For those who do wish to participate, Trident Ploughshareswill be working with Yorkshire CND and others to facilitate the No to Nuclear Day of Action, travel and crash space near London. To register for the training or for more information email: leonnaoneill@gmail.com

4. Plays at the Fringe: (a) an anti-nuclear lawyer suspiciously dying in an accident
1 year post Hilda Murrell @ New Town Theatre,  Freemasons Hall in Hill Street.3,000 Trees Death of Mr William Macrae is about an anti-nuclear man who died in suspicious circumstances a year after Hilda Murrell from6th August at 14.50 daily. (b) Worth catching if you missed it last month (same venue) http://www.developingartists.org.uk/our-projects/and-here-i-am:-palestine
(c) STUC women’s Committee recommend  story of Edith Rigby Suffragette & advocate of workers’ rights, education for all  (d) https://www.eif.co.uk/2017/spiritofunity#.WZCazK2ZOb-
5. Ban Treaty Working Group  NEXT MEETING. 5th September at 4 p.m. in SCND offices in Glasgow. Minutes of the August meeting are available.
We are hoping that our September Open meeting will be a report back from the Ban Treaty conference. Watch this space.
—————————————————————————————–
A POEM
Nagasaki: Midori’s Rosary – a poem by Rowan Williams

The air is full of blurred words. Something
has changed in the war’s weather. The children
(whose children will show me this) have been sent
to the country. In the radiology lab,
Takashi fiddles, listening to the ticking bomb
in his blood cells, thinks, once, piercingly,
of her hands and small mouth, knotting him in
to the long recital of silent lives
under the city’s surface, the ripple of blurred Latin,
changing nothing in the weather of death and confession,
thinks once, in mid-morning, of a kitchen floor, flash-frozen.

When, in the starburst’s centre,
the little black mouth opens, then clenches,
and the flaying wind smoothes down the grass
and prints its news black on bright blinding
walls, when it sucks back the milk
and breath and skin, and all the world’s vowels
drown in flayed throats, the hard things,
bone and tooth, fuse into consonants of stone,
Midori’s beads melt in a single mass
around the shadow with its blackened hands
carved with their little weeping lips.

Days earlier, in Hiroshima, in what was left
of the clinic chapel, little Don Pedro, turning
from the altar to say, The Lord be with you,
heard, suddenly, what he was about to claim,
seeing the black lips, the melted bones,
and so, he said, he stood, his small mouth
open, he never knew how long, his hands
out like a starburst, while the dialogue
of stony voiceless consonants ground across
the floor, like gravel in the wind, and the two
black mouths opened against each other,

Nobody knowing for a while
which one would swallow which.
edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 2nd August 2017 (with special post on 6th)

On Sunday, people around the world will gather to mark 72 years since nuclear bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. CND groups will be meeting across the country to show that we have not forgotten those who died as a result of the nuclear attacks and we are working to ensure it never happens again.
1. Edinburgh CNDs annual event to remember the tragic dropping of a Nuclear Bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 6th August 6-7pm at the Mound Precinct/Princes Street. We will be near the National Gallery on the ‘busker pitch’ closest to Princes Street. 
All invited. Music, Candles, Crane-making, Speeches, Poems, Banners. Bring umbrellas just in case! 
 https://www.facebook.com/events/1506560019405375/?
 +++++++++see also special addition at end
2. On Saturday12th August (3 days after Nagasaki anniversary) we will be leafleting from12 30 at the East End of Princes Street.
 
The Basle Peace Office and UNFOLD ZERO are  encouraging  the use of new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (‘ban treaty’) and the upcoming United Nations High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament to promote nuclear abolition on Hiroshima Day and August 9 Nagasaki Day. For updates and actions and more information see:
Also sign the ATOM Project online petition calling for a nuclear-weapon-free world. Over 300,000 have endorsed so far. Let’s get to 1/2 a million.
For other Hiroshima Commemoration events in Scotland see: 
______________________________________________________________
EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS:
 1.The ‘War on Terror’ In An Era Of Crisis: A Critical Response
 August 5th Venue. For details of this and other events see previous post.
2.Planning meeting for the Edinburgh World Justice Festival 9th August 5pm Peace and Justice Centre. This years Festival runs from 30th September to 16th October and Edinburgh CNDs event is on Wednesday 11th October.
______________________________________________________________
NEWS FROM CND:
1. Peace campaigners have responded to the High Court’s decision to block a bid to prosecute Tony Blair over the Iraq War. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:
“Today’s decision by the High Court to block an attempt to prosecute Tony Blair for his role in the Iraq war is hugely disappointing and means justice has been left undone.
 “Last year’s Chilcot report showed that Tony Blair had no respect for cabinet procedure, no respect for Parliament, and no respect for international law.
 “Iraq was devastated by the war Blair led Britain into, millions of innocent Iraqis were killed, British soldiers were killed, and terrorism has spread across the Middle East.
 “Chilcot revealed the evidence that must now be used to bring Tony Blair to justice.
 “Only when justice is served can we prevent disasters like the Iraq war from happening again.”
2..This September, CND is supporting a conference taking place in York that will bring together health professionals and peace activists to debate, educate and advocate for social justice and demilitarisation.
As well as addressing plenaries on day one of the conference, CND will lead a workshos on day three: Campaigning against Trident in Parliament, parties and civil society.
The full programme can be found on the Medact web site, where you can also register for tickets.
3. A government watchdog has given a ‘red alert’ after another part of the government’s Trident replacement scheme ran over budget.
Although the government’s own figures include a contingency fund, it’s clear that we will soon reach a point where the cost of Trident surpasses £205 billion.
_________________________________________________________________
PUBLICATIONS:
1. The latest edition of Nuclear Free Scotland is available from SCND http://www.banthebomb.org
2. The August 2017 edition of CND’s Campaign magazine. It has all the information you need on the global nuclear weapon ban treaty adopted at the UN, as well as the upcoming arms fair in London.  Read the magazine Download a copy
3. The August/September Peace and Justice News is out: http://peaceandjustice.org.uk/
4. The latest edition of nuClear News – No.98 August 2017 – is now available for downloading here:
www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo98.pdf
5. LOS ALAMOS: Bulletin 233: Please take action: Congress, White House, nuclear industry renew effort to store, process, and dispose of various nuclear wastes in New Mexico and Nevada                                                                                                                     6. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue:For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry
———————————————————————————————– 

SPECIAL POST ON 6th: On this day, 72 years ago, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan – the first use of the most terrible weapons in human history. The bomb is estimated to have killed between 100,000 and 180,000 people, and devastated the city. The horrific results of this attack did not, however, prevent an order to drop an even more powerful atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki three days later. In two blinding flashes of light, the cities were destroyed.

Edinburgh CND is remembering the victims of these attacks today: 6th August 6-7pm at the Mound/Princes Street (buskers spot near National Gallery). See http://www.banthebomb.org for other Scottish events.

This year, the anniversary of the bombings is particularly poignant, as the UN has recently adopted a Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, which will be open for signature on 20th September. Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days remind us of the importance of campaigning for a world free of nuclear weapons, and this treaty is a step towards that goal.

August 6
city of 300,000
can we forget that silence?
in that stillness
the powerful appeal
of the white eye sockets of the wives and children who did not
return home
that tore apart our hearts
can it be forgotten?

TŌGE Sankichi, translated by Karen Thornber

edinburghcnd

Edinburgh CND News 25th July 2017

The next meeting of Edinburgh CND will be on Tuesday 1st August at 6pm in the Peace and Justice Centre. All welcome. We have plenty to discuss, including all the issues below:
With the upcoming anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki next month, many CND groups (including Edinburgh)  have started to organise events in your area to commemorate the two catastrophes. 
Please check http://www.cnduk.org to see what events have been planned so far, across the UK, and to get involved.
The details of the Edinburgh Hiroshima event are as follows: Edinburgh CNDs annual event to remember the tragic dropping of a Nuclear Bomb on Hiroshima in 1945 6th August 6-7pm at the Mound Precinct/Princes Street: Next to the National Gallery. All invited. Music, Candles, Crane-making, Speeches, Poems, Banners
On Saturday12th August (3 days after Nagasaki anniversary) we will be leafleting from12 30 at the East End of Princes Street.
For those in the west there will be an event at Barshaw Park Peace Garden on Sunday 6th August. Meet at the car park off Glasgow Road at 5pm to walk together to the Peace Garden. 
Edinburgh World Justice Festival. This is taking place from 30th September to 16th October and Edinburgh CNDs event is on Wednesday 11th October.

+++++++STOP PRESS 26th July: Breaking news from Dumbarton++++
The PF dropped his insistence on the 100m exclusion zone around Faslane & Coulport so Angie & Brian are being released (see news item 3 below for further explanation)

NEWS FROM CND and ICAN
1. On 7th July 2017 a powerful step toward a nuclear free world was taken at the UN headquarters in New York. After the last few months of negotiations, The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has passed the UN General Assembly with 122 countries in favour! This is great news and we look forward to the opening of the treaty for signature on September 20th.
The official UN statement hopes the treaty will provide an “unambiguous political commitment” toward achieving global disarmament and developing a dialogue about nuclear weapons. CND recognises the hard work that went into making this become a reality. It was a global effort and it’s great to see tangible results.
The spotlight is now on the UK government which opposed the negotiations and says it won’t sign up. This exposes the emptiness of its claims to back multilateral disarmament. Now we need to exert all our efforts to make the government change course and get on board with the global majority.
CND handed in 7,000 petition letters to 10 Downing Street. The letters, addressed to Theresa May, call attention to the attempts by the UK to undermine the Global Ban talks and the failure to engage in the process. The stack of paper was so big, it was taken down there in a suitcase so thanks to all of you that signed or helped us with the process. We will keep you updated as to the government response.
2.The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) today welcomes the publication of a major new report by Med-act that focuses on the UK’s harmful reliance and dependence on maintaining nuclear weapons at a time when the large majority of UN members have formally called for a ban on such weapons.  Med-act is a public health charity that inspires the medical community to act on the social, political, ecological and economic determinants of health. Like NFLA, it is a supporting member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).   
The Med-act report  ‘A Safer World – Treating Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons’, calls to account the UK Government for its aggressive nuclear weapons policies and the continued funding of the Trident nuclear weapons programme. 
Key points from the report include: 
·        A new international treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons, agreed by 122 countries on the 7 July 2017, re-opens questions about Britain’s continued possession of nuclear weapons. 
·        Despite claiming to want a world without nuclear weapons, by boycotting the treaty negotiations, the UK is sidestepping global efforts to achieve genuine multilateral nuclear disarmament.   
·        The UK has 120 ready-to-fire nuclear warheads in deployment; with a further 95 in reserve, but the credibility of these weapons for deterrence is crumbling. 
·        Britain has an opportunity to demonstrate its diplomatic prowess and soft power to take a lead on multilateral disarmament and make the world safer – but only if the government is prepared to abandon its reliance on an increasingly redundant and dangerous approach to national security. 
NB The NFLA also have an interesting media release on The confusion over the UK’s plans to leave the Euratom Treaty (see their website)
3. Angie Zelter and Brian Quail are still in prison flowing the actions at Coulport 11th July. Brian Larkin of the P and J writes: On Tuesday July 25h July Sheriff Noran McFadyen denied an appeal of special bail conditions by Angie Zelter at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh. She and Brian Quail both remain in prison. She is grateful for all the cards and letters of support.
Neither Angie nor any supporters were allowed to attend the Appeal hearing but immediately the hearing lawyers told Jane that Sheriff Macfayden barely listened to arguments put forward by Counsel acting on Angie’s behalf and seemed to see Angie’s many years of principled nonviolent campaigning as a reason to keep her in prison.

Angie and Brian will appear in Dumbarton JP Court tomorrow, Wednesday 26th July, for an Intermediate hearing, and Angie will have a further opportunity to submit a second appeal in the coming week. The case has attracted considerable media attention in Scotland. And the comic book writer Mark Millar, creator of Civil War and other Marvel comics, has paid Angie’s legal fees.  An online petition has gained over 4,200 signatures. Westminster SNP group voiced its support for Zelter and Quail and SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor, a member of Scotland’s Justice Committee, has contacted the Lord Advocate of Scotland to call for a review of the case. [6] Brian Quail has not so far appealed and will remain in custody at least until the intermediate hearing scheduled for Dumbarton Justice of the Peace Court on Wednesday 26 July. Brian and Angie are both scheduled to appear for trial in Dumbarton Justice of the Peace Court on 3 August. Supporters are encouraged to attend the trial. Read the full report on the TP blog at:

http://tridentploughshares.org /trident-protester-angie-zelte rs-appeal-of-bail-conditions- denied/  Please Share this article and keep sharing our Facebook posts about developments to help spread news of the story as it develops. We are posting from https://www.facebook.com/tride nt.ploughshares/  page which is the one with our logo on it so please LIKE that page if you have not done so. You can also support the action by Following @TridentPlough on Twitter and Retweeting any of our Tweets, and writing to Angie and Brian. NB Brian also had a letter in The National on 24th July

4. Bite the bullet and call a halt to Trident Sunday Herald, 23rd July 2017 http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/sunday_herald_view/15428311.Bite_the_bullet_and_call_a_halt_to_Trident/

The full programme can be found on the Medact web site, where you can also register for tickets.

——————————————————————————————————
EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS:
1.The ‘War on Terror’ In An Era Of Crisis: A Critical Response
A one day conference hosted by New Foreign Policy. A unique event bringing together academics, researchers, campaigners – and you. This event examines and exposes the legacy of the ‘war on terror’ – from Iraq to Islamophobia – and sets out a new approach. Be part of the discussion. Date: August 5th Venue: CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall St Time: Registration from 10am
 NOTE: Please book tickets in advance to help the organisers prepare the best possible event:www.newforeignpolicy. eventbrite.com
2. Edinburgh CAAT: Upcoming events and activities
Tuesday 1 August, 6.30pm to 9.30pm, Pavillion Cafe in The Meadows, Edinburgh
Super fun workshop for beginners or pros
Tuesday 8 August (exact time tbc), Drummond Community High School, Edinburgh
Demonstration against the Festival of Shalom
A letter from the Drummond Community High School Parent Council objecting to the festival can be found attached to this email. Contact Mark or Colin for more details. 
Thursday 17 August, 7pm to 8.45pm. At the Castle Arms (just along from Quaker House)
CAAT planning meeting for the Yemen/Saudi campaign
We’ll be making detailed plans for the next campaign activities. All welcome! Contact Kate for more details.
Sunday 3 September, 7pm to 9pm. The Strathie, 17 Iona Street, Edinburgh
A relaxed chat with members of CommonWeal Edinburgh North and Leith about current CAAT activities.
Monday 4 September, 7pm to 8.45pm, Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh
CAAT Edinburgh Quarterly Meeting
Our regular quarterly meeting.
3. Medact’s conference is in YORK on the 4-6th September, this could be a good time to convene a meeting for ICAN UK partners and others that want to work on the ban treaty in the UK. It is likely to be on the Monday 16.30 to 18.30. ++++++The full programme can be found on the Medact web site, where you can also register for tickets.
4. Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre: International Peace Day Ceilidh – Fri 22 Sept. Don’t forget about the P and Js regular crane-making sessions.
AROUND THE WORLD:
1. LOS ALAMOS: Bulletin 232: Nuclear power for your home and business http://www.lasg.org/ActionAlerts/2017/Bulletin232.html
2. AUSTRALIA: the activities against Uranium mining continue:For the latest update: https://walkingforcountry