9. Armed Forces Day on 27 June in Edinburgh, meet s at 11am at Friends Meeting House on Victoria Terrace 11am.

1. Two events on Saturday 20th June that  we are supporting: A. Midday at George Square, Glasgow – rally against austerity organised by the STUC. Join the Scrap Trident contingent. Look out for the big banner. B. Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Conscientious Objectors Fundraiser for a CO memorial in Edinburgh. 7:30pm. Saturday 20 June. Pleasance Cabaret Bar. With Margaret Bennett – Christine Kydd – Scott Murray -Protest In Harmony – Norman Lamont & Fiona Thom Lisa Rigby & Penny Stone. Tickets now just £10/ £7 or pay what you can from comemorial.bpt.me or from the Peace and Justice Centre 2. Videos of all the speakers at the recent edinburgh stop the war public meeting are now online: Moazzam Begg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KFr8Vr1W4gSafeena Rashid: https://youtu.be/A_BmgdVT5z4Lindsey German: https://youtu.be/aoxLY0N3oBA 3. #TridentWhistleblower given dishonourable discharge. He could have left on Service No Longer Required if he admitted he was wrong. 4. CND has slammed Pentagon plans to scrap a Cold war-era treaty and deploy nuclear missiles in Europe. Reports emerged over the weekend that the US government is considering this option as part of a review of its policy towards Russia in response to the situation in Ukraine. In response, the UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond did not rule out these weapons coming to Britain. CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said: ‘Frankly, these proposals are a disaster, which would risk the lives of millions of people. The US government seems intent on harking back to Cold War means of resolving their disputes, rather than pursue diplomatic methods. 5. CND congratulates our Vice-Chair Jeremy Corbyn on his nomination for leader of the Labour Party. Jeremy received 35 endorsements from MPs, meaning that he will proceed to the ballot for leader alongside Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall. CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said: ‘Jeremy stands four square against Trident and its replacement and his nomination will now ensure that this issue takes a central place in the forthcoming leadership debates. This is a vital moment for the Labour Party and for the country as a whole. Jeremy Corbyn speaks for a huge progressive constituency in the UK, with a majority of the population firmly against Trident. After the obliteration of Labour’s traditional heartland vote in Scotland – largely on the Trident issue – this is a debate that Labour cannot afford to ignore. Jeremy4leaderCampaignGroup on facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/389930804526606/ ) 6. The Walkatjurra walk is all set for 16th August to take off in a bus from Perth (Australia) and you can print out flyers here: https://walkingforcountry.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/walkatjurra-walkabout-2015.pdf 7. The Scrap Trident Coalition are considering the idea of regular ‘bookable’ tours of the base, letting people see what goes on and what can be seen from the various viewpoints near Faslane and hearing some direct action stories at the places where they took place. It would also involve getting an introduction to the Peace Camp and finding out what kind of support is needed to keep it going. On Sunday, 14th June there was a Pilot Tour to help shape up the idea. Make Tea Not Bombs Sunday June 28th Trident Ploughshares invites you for a cup of tea and a chat about resisting Trident in Glasgow followed by a trip out to Faslane for a wee look at the home of “the bomb” and another cuppa at Faslane Peace Camp. We particularly welcome people who are new to anti-Trident campaigning and want to find out a bit more about it. Trident Ploughshares has been going since 1998 and the Peace Camp has been there since 1982 and between us we have a lot of experience and stories of taking action at Faslane which we would love to share. We will meet in Glasgow at 2pm and make a few quick banners over a chat and a cuppa. Then we will pile into cars to go out to Faslane at around 3pm, arriving at 4pm. We can hang our banners at the North gate (where the vigil takes place every Wednesday) for a wee bit and then dander on down to the Peace Camp for a look at the World’s oldest Peace Camp. We will be back in Glasgow by 7pm (or earlier if you need to be) If you would like to join us please e-mail tp2000@gn.apc.org for more details and tell us if you have your own transport or need a lift. Public transport is an option if we don’t have enough cars. And last but certainly not least HAPPY BIRTHDAY Faslane Peace Camp – 33 years old today!! It’s heartbreaking that the camp still needs to be there but amazing that people have kept such a symbol of resistance to the UKs nuclear weapons going for all that time. The camp will be organising some workshops and visits to the base over the week-end. For updates see their Facebook And if you can’t make it along you could send them a birthday card (and slip a tenner in it). Faslane Peace Camp, Shandon near Rhu, Helensburgh, G84 8HL 8. Drones Campaign Conference: Title: Drones and Forever War – sharing information, building the campaign Date / Time: Saturday 11th July, 10.30am – 4.30pm Location: Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London. NW1 2BJ More information can be found on the DCN website here.

EdinburghCND will be leafletting at the East End of Princes Street from 1230 on Sat 13th June. We will then join SCND at the Leith Festival

Scottish CND will have a stall at the Leith Festival on Saturday (13 June) in Leith Links. We will arrive at 10.30 am and set up the stall around 11.30 am. It is likely to be busiest in the afternoon, 1 pm to 4 pm. We will be coming through from Glasgow with our two giant puppets, Big Sandy and CiNDy. The stall will have new Bairns not Bombs Tshirts, CND jewellery, tattoos, leaflets etc. Help  appreciated.

6th: ++High winds at the Meadows Festival meant we had to shut down early. We will be back tomorrow (sunday) 11am to close

Meadows Festival – Sat & Sun, 6 – 7 June Edinburgh CND (mega) stall at the Meadows Festival on Saturday and Sunday.  There’ll be plants and second hand books on sale to raise funds plus CND and STW materials as the political part.  Last year it was really successful.  If you can help for anytime between 9 to 5 Saturday and or Sunday please come along. (see previous post for further details)  We will also be at the Leith Festival – Sat, 13 June  Other events this week-end and later

1. Friday 5th June, the Nuclear Free Local Authorities Scotland Forum is holding a special seminar on Trident replacement issues after the UK election. This is being held in the Council Chamber, Renfrewshire House, Paisley from 12.15pm – 2.30pm. The keynote speaker will be Sunday Herald Environment Editor Rob Edwards, who will talk about the allegations made by Able Seaman William McNeilly of the safety and security of Trident submarines, which Rob exclusively broke in the Sunday Herald. Other speakers include CND Scotland Chair Arthur West, Nukewatch Scotland’s Jane Tallents and Bill Kidd MSP.  To attend please email Cathy Birrell, NFLA Scotland Secretary on cathy.birrell@ced.glasgow.gov.uk asap.

2. AUDIENCE INVITATION:The Big Questions will be broadcasting live from The Leith Academy in Edinburgh on Sunday 7^thJune and we’re looking to invite people to be part of our audience.  ABOUT THE BIG QUESTIONS: The Big Questions is the BBC’s flagship live religious, moral and ethical debate show fronted by Nicky Campbell. The show itself features specially invited front-row speakers who have a particular interest, expertise or personal story that relates to one of the week’s debates. These speakers debate in front of a wider studio audience. While we cannot guarantee everyone the opportunity to speak, our audience is sometimes invited to contribute to the discussion too. PRACTICAL DETAILS: We will be recording two episodes in Edinburgh… The first episode will be a live broadcast which requires the audience to be on location at 8:30am on Sunday 7^th June. This will be a more topical programme revolving around the week’s news events. The second episode will be a pre-record which requires the audience to be on location at 12:30pm on Sunday 7^th June. It will eventually go to air on Sunday 14^th June. This will be a special programme revolving around one question – Are nuclear weapons justified? HOW TO APPLY: If anyone would like a seat in our audience, please contact audiencetbq@mentorn.tv or 0141 611 9626. Please include your full name and a contact telephone number.

3. Document Film Festival Spirit of Revolt – Archives of Dissent Scottish Peace Network and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Present Two films and a blether for the centenary of the 1915 Rent Strikes
 Pearce Institute, Govan, Glasgow TODAY 4 June 2015, 7pm Free/ donations welcome Refreshments provided.

4. The next meeting of the Scrap trident Coalition will be in Edinburgh at 6.30pm on Tuesday June 9th
It will be in the Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre, terrace St Johns Church, west end Princes St

5. If you agree that the government has its priorities wrong, join the Scrap Trident bloc on what will be a huge anti-austerity protest in Glasgow on Saturday (am), June 20th 60 thousand people have already confirmed their attendance at 3 demos including London – be a part of this important day!

6. Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Conscientious Objectors Past Present and Future. A Fundraiser for a memorial to Conscientious Objectors and all those who have opposed wars. With Margaret Bennett, Christine Kydd, Fiona Thom & friends, Scott Murray, Protest in Harmony, Lisa Rigby  & Penny Stone. 20 June. The Pleasance Cabaret Bar. Tickets £13/ £8. from comemorial.bpt.me or from the Peace and Justice Centre.

And please sign the petition for a Conscientious Objectors’ Memorial in Edinburgh here. Already over 500 people have signed. The petition closes today, 4 June, so don’t delay!

7. An official march for armed forces day will take place on June 27 at 11am. The march will assemble at 11 am at the Grassmarket and will be marching up to the royal mile and past the National Library and back around to Grassmarket. Suggested assembly at 11 am in front of the National Library with banners and placards.

8. The World Is My Country exhibition and talks. Talk in Edinburgh possibly second half of October.

 OTHER NEWS:

1. Peace & Freedom e-news WILPF Congress & Conference Special Issue now available

2. Scottish CND would like to appoint a part-time Assistant Coordinator to provide maternity leave cover. 

Job title: Temporary Assistant Coordinator 
Salary: £12,477 per annum 
Salary info: 21 hours per week. Fixed term appointment from July 2015 to 31 January 2016
Job Type: Part time
 Closing date: 9 June 2015
Location: Glasgow

Role: 
The purpose of this post is to assist with the administrative work of the Scottish Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.  There will also be a requirement to assist with some campaigning work, in line with the overall strategic direction of Scottish CND as set by the Executive Committee.

3. CND remains unsatisfied with the Ministry of Defence’s response to Trident whistle-blower Able Seaman McNeilly’s allegations, which include claims of negligent security practices and structural inadequacies in Britain’s nuclear weapons system. Less than two weeks after the long list of safety failings were published, the government issued a short statement yesterday (Thursday, May 29th), concluding that ‘most of McNeilly’s concerns proved to be either factually incorrect or the result of mis- or partial understanding’. Minister Penny Mordaunt MP defended the government’s response in a debate later that day on Trident safety, called by the Scottish National Party’s Alex Salmond MP. While Mordaunt was also keen to refute McNeilly’s allegations, she said that further details of the investigation could not be made public for national security reasons.            CND’s General Secretary Kate Hudson said: ‘Looking back at confirmed safety and security incidents in relation to Britain’s nuclear weapons system, the MoD can forgive us for not feeling reassured with their short assessment of submariner McNeilly’s detailed claims.                                                                                   ‘Scottish CND has published a valuable reminder of known dangerous issues with our nuclear weapons system. There is a shortage of staff operating Trident, instances of on-board fires requiring external assistance and there’s even a confirmed incident of British and French nuclear submarines colliding.’While Trident is supposed to keep us safe, it is becoming more and more evident that instead it is a disaster waiting to happen. It is the inherent danger of operating nuclear weapons, as well as the astronomical cost of maintaining them, which is making an increasing amount of the public call for the government to scrap Trident and cancel its replacement.’

Stop press: Band confirmed!

‘Jawbone Walk’, the folk combo who played a set at the stall last year have agreed to play at 12.30 on Saturday at our stall. Their star-studded line up includes K King who played in the legendary all woman ceilidh band Sprangeen a few years ago.

Edinburgh CND’s biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up, our ‘Plants for Peace’ and info stall at the Meadows Community Festival on Saturday and Sunday the 6th and 7th of June. Many of last year’s helpers have committed already for this June, including the band. We start at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. Finish at 5pm. We will be on pitch N17, that’s North Meadow Walk.

Can you help? Scores of supporters did last year, from those who worked on the stall to those who supplied plants, transport, music, tea, cake, labels and 101 other things that made 2014 such a success. £650 was raised and we plan to do better this year!

How can you help? Here’s a list of who/what are needed: Please contact us, details below, to let us know what you can offer.

WANTED:

People to help on stalls: 4 hour morning or afternoon shifts OR any offers of time gratefully received. Please contact us even if you can only help for a wee while. We are trying to build up a rota.
Plants-from eg tomato seedlings to houseplants to shrubs and trees, they’ll all sell! It would be great if you can bring them along to the stall at the Meadows, but if not we can collect. Wee veg plants seemed to be very popular.

Cut flowers on the day (these sell well)

Empty plant pots of almost any number and size to grow sales stock(we used 100’s last year!) asap!

Any spare bags of growing medium (compost) you may have (we used 100’s of litres last year!) asap!

Plant Labels (lots)

Carrier bags (lots)

Wooden/Plastic crates (to transport the plants and then make display stands from)

We will NOT be selling bric a brac and clothes this year but WILL be selling books.

Books/CD’s/DVD’s (all sorts!)

If anyone wants to donate garden tools, ornaments, seeds, books and suchlike we will have a ‘garden sundries’ stall (and we’ll never turn down bicycles!).

Too busy to take part and don’t have books or anything of garden interest to give?
Please do consider making a donation-it costs £100’s in overheads to put this stall on, a lot to cover, but good value in that we reach thousands of members of the public with our ‘Don’t Replace Trident!’ message.

Thanks in advance for your help, we look forward to hearing from you-Soon!

EP&JC AGM Conscience & Conscientious Objection
Wed 3 June 7 – 9pm. Prof Toby Kelly (Head of Anthropology Edinburgh University.) Dr Lesley Orr (New College, Edinburgh University). St John’s Church Hall. Lothian Rd. Edinburgh.

One World Peace Ceilidh 29 May. 7:30pm – 12midnight Edinburgh Steiner School
£10/£7 from P&J, One World Shop or peaceceilidh.bpt.me  Volunteers needed.

Tuesday 26th May 7.30pm

Stop The War Public Meeting at the Augustine Church, George
4th Bridge: Islamophobia, War and Chaos in the Middle East – the legacy of Bush and Blair. With Moazzam Begg, Lindsey German, Aamer Anwar and Safeena Rashid. Chaired by Zahid Ali

Also the film about the Stop the War movement remains on general release and can be seen at several
venues in EdinburghMore info at http://www.wearemany.com

This weeks big news:

Whistleblower from Trident submarine leaks catalogue of safety and security failings
Report says nuclear weapons could have been detonated through accident and malpractice
Describes Trident as the “biggest threat to the UK” – with a nuclear explosion likely through accident or terrorist attack
Trident is the single biggest threat to UK security. That is the conclusion of a leaked report from submariner William McNeilly, after serving on board HMS Victorious – which is armed with Trident nuclear missiles.
Able Seaman McNeilly is now on the run following his decision to expose what he saw as potentially catastrophic safety and security failings which could cause a nuclear explosion in dock in Faslane, Scotland, or near the UK on patrol.
The report echoes other investigations into nuclear near-misses such as Eric Schlosser’s Command and Control – which uncovered US failings over the past 50 years which almost caused the deaths of millions in US cities.
Please sign the petition to support the Trident Whistleblower, William McNeilly http://chn.ge/1L1u97F
Scottish CND worked with the journalist Rob Edwards to make his story public. McNeilly would be grateful for as much public support as possible and Ask your MP to support the Trident Whistleblower:
22 May 2015 — As a result of the problems with nuclear submarines exposed by William McNeilly, there will be a debate on the safety of Trident in the House of Commons on Thursday 28 May. Please contact your MP to ask them to take action http://bit.ly/whistleMP
Libby Brooks of the Guardian was trying to find out more about where William McNeilly is being held. In her article she says he is held by Navy Police at a military establishment in Scotland, but not Faslane. This could be one of the Edinburgh barracks – Redford or Glencorse? He was detained at Edinburgh airport. A query is out for other suggestions.
Libby’s article suggests he might be moved to England later. It looks like he is facing a charge of absence (AWOL) rather than breach of Official Secrets Acts.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/19/mod-accused-avoiding-public-scrutiny-trident-whistleblower-claims?CMP=share_btn_tw

REMINDER: Saturday 23rd May PEOPLE’S CLIMATE ASSEMBLY Saturday 23 May 2015, from 9:45 to 16:45 (BST) St. Thomas of Aquin’s High School, Edinburgh (EH3)A ONE DAY FREE EVENT FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND. Come to the War, Peace and conflict Workshop.

The Big Debate is finishing its series in Edinburgh this year with a one hour special debating nuclear weapons recording on the afternoon of Sunday 7th of June, with transmission the following Sunday on the 14th on BBC1. Unlike the usual live shows which deal with three questions, this will focus on one topic only, which will be the morality and effectiveness of nuclear weapons. They haven’t decided on exact wording, but we will be looking into a large number of issues; CASD, replacement of trident, morals and ethics of nuclear weapons.

The general election outcome – a narrow majority for the Conservative Party – was unexpected and diasppointing for many of us who felt that a minority Labour government would provide more opportunities for a change in policy on Trident replacement. But on a positive note, since the election there has been an upsurge in protest and street activity and there is every indication that there is a strong anti-Trident contingent of new MPs in parliament – from the SNP and other parties too.
Trident will remain a significant factor in British politics as we approach a 2016 decision on whether or not it should be replaced. We are working in a different political context from the one we were anticipating, but there are many possibilities, both inside and outside parliament for stepping up anti-nuclear campaigning.
CND will continue lobbying all MPs and will arrange a parliamentary lobby day in the autumn. We’ll continue our economic message (especially in light of the anti-Tory cuts protest expected), which will be supplemented by a strong security argument against nuclear weapons.
As well as developing international contacts, who can help their countries put pressure on the British government, we will also aim to build our membership and increase fundraising.
There’s plenty for us to do. It’s never been more important for us to stand together. If you have any ideas or suggestions on CND’s campaigning work, I would welcome hearing them (kate.hudson@cnduk.org). And don’t forget to come along to CND Annual conference in October. One of the days will be for strategy discussion across the anti-nuclear movement so please join us.
Scrap Trident bloc at the End Austerity Now demonstration
The STUC is arranging a massive anti-austerity demonstration on Saturday, June 20th, at which tens of thousands of people are expected.
New trade union briefing
CND has always worked closely with trade unions and will once again be attending various conferences this year to increase support for the Scrap Trident campaign. We have also published a new attractive four page leaflet on why trade unions say No to Trident. Get in touch (sara.medi.jones@cnduk.org) if you would like to order copies to take to your local trade union gathering.

The Drone Campaign Network’s May email newsletter is available . Each month, they send an email containing the latest information, campaign updates and links to resources to help you campaign on the growing use of armed drones. Please forward this email on to anyone who may be interested. To receive our monthly email newsletter, sign up via our website here.

Scottish Christians Against Nuclear Arms (SCANA) are holding their annual Witness for Peace at Faslane on Saturday 23 May 2015 at the North Gate of Faslane Naval Base from 12 noon. It is an opportunity to sing, pray for peace, keep silence and take a symbolic action against Trident. This is an ecumenical event for all ages. The Wild Geese will lead the singing and there will be contributions from speakers, including Sally Foster Fulton, Secretary of the Church and Society Committee of the Church of Scotland. Meeting at 12 noon for worship and ending with a picnic.

A protest is planned for armed forces day on June 27. The official march will be leaving from an assembly point near Edinburgh castle at 11am.

EVENT

The film ‘These Dangerous Women’  will be shown in Edinburgh on Monday 18 May 2015 at 7.30 pm at

Augustine Centre Studio, George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL : you can book a place online: http://bit.ly/1Dg66kA. Or Just come along. The doors will be open at 7pm to give time to look at the photograph exhibition of WILPF women and events in WILPF’s 100 years of working for peace.

The film tells the story of some of the British women who travelled to International Women’s Congress at The Hague in April 1915.  It reviews the relationship between the women’s involvement in the suffrage movement and their desire for a negotiated settlement in place of war to resolve international disputes. There will be Q&A with Film Director from 8 pm.

At the end of May  350.org Australia are running a week of national actions. Right now, Indian mining giant Adani is calling upon The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to help them finance the Abbot Point coal port in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The port would be the largest in the world, opening up 9 new mega coal mines in Australia for export around the world. The action will last about 15-30 minutes and will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 20th May, with the aim to get photos to run in Australia the following Thursday. https://www.facebook.com/events/356472267882534/

Month of Conscientious Objector Events 15 May 5 – 6:30pm. Conscientious Objectors Day Vigil We will gather on the Mound to honour Conscientious Objectors wars, past and present. 

Scotland action to stop coal on the Great Barrier Reef Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00pm
36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh EH2 2AD, UK

Tuesday 26th May 7.30pm Stop The War Public Meeting at the Augustine Church, George 4th Bridge: Islamophobia, War and Chaos in the Middle East – the legacy of Bush and Blair.  With Moazzam Begg, Lindsey German, Aamer Anwar and Safeena Rashid

We Are Many is a feature film documenting the antiwar movement. Now going on general release with a simultaneous launch ay 8pm on 21 May across the UK which includes 4 Edinburgh Cinemas: Cameo + Vue + Odeon + Cineworld 

There’s  face book event at https://www.facebook.com/events/901170849934780/ and also details on www.edinburghstw.tumblr.com

OneWorld Peace Ceilidh Edinburgh Steiner School.60 Spylaw Road. Friday 29th May.7:30pm til midnight. Clapshot Ceilidh Band Protest in Harmony Voice Box Theatre Poets. Raffle, Bar & food.Tickets £10 /(£7

from peaceceilidh.bpt.me

OTHER NEWS

The spectacular gains of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the general election are a stark indicator of opposition to the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system, which is based in Scotland, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has said.

The meteoric rise of the anti-Trident SNP has seen their number grow from 6 MPs in the previous parliament to 56 MPs, in an unprecedented election which saw swings of almost 40% to the SNP in some seats. This huge influx comes ahead of the final vote on whether or not to replace Britain’s ageing nuclear weapons system, expected in early 2016.

After an election campaign which was dominated by the question of Trident, CND’s Kate Hudson described last night’s result as a ‘reality check’ for those in favour of spending an estimated £100bn to replace the UK’s four nuclear-armed submarines.

The general election outcome – a narrow majority for the Conservative Party – was unexpected. In the days since the election, there has been an upsurge in protest and street activity.

Trident will remain a significant factor as we approach a 2016 decision on whether or not it should be replaced. We are working in a different political context from the one we were anticipating, but there are many possibilities, both inside and outside parliament for stepping up anti-nuclear campaigning. new petition against Trident 

On the day of the election the Daly Record had a 4-page spread on Trident and an editorial saying “£100 billion wasted on a pointless threat”

NuClear News No.74 May 2015 is now available for downloading. www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo74.pdf

A memorial service for Margaret Harrison will be held at 1 pm on Saturday 16 May in St Mungo’s Episcopal Church, Main St, Alexandria.

Nepal Appeal: To donate go to peaceandjustice.org.uk and click the Donate Button. Be sure to put Nepal Earthquake Appeal in the Purpose field.

Scottish CND volunteers have been travelling around Scotland with our Vote Out Trident message, helped by our giant puppets Big Sandy and CiNDy.

IN EDINBURGH: Last minute before the election leafleting on Wednesday 6^th May: 5pm at the East End of Princes Street.

Saturday 9th is the 2nd Saturday of the month, so we will be out for some post-election leafleting at 1230 also at the East End of Princes Street.

CND’s General Secretary Kate Hudson has this week assessed the manifestos, the hustings, and then the candidate responses on Trident. She found Trident is a live election issue with all parties publishing clear commitments. But the manifestos don’t necessarily represent the views of candidates.

Scottish CND has created an online database with information on what the candidates and the parties say about nuclear weapons. Find out what the candidates in your constituency think here If you haven’t already done so, you can send them an email on Trident here 

CND has also slammed a pro-Trident letter from military figures to the incoming PM saying that it would be irresponsible folly not to replace Trident.

POST ELECTION EVENTS

Month of Conscientious Objector Events 15 May 5 – 6:30pm. Conscientious Objectors Day Vigil We will gather on the Mound to honour Conscientious Objectors wars, past and present. There will be a meeting of the Scottish Peace Network after at the Peace and Justice Centre. For other P and J events check their website.

The film ‘These Dangerous Women’  will be shown in Edinburgh on Monday 18 May 2015 at 7.30 pm at

Augustine Centre Studio, George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL : you can book a place online: http://bit.ly/1Dg66kA. The doors will be open at 7pm to give time to look at the photograph exhibition of WILPF women and events in WILPF’s 100 years of working for peace.

The film tells the story of some of the British women who travelled to International Women’s Congress at The Hague in April 1915.  It reviews the relationship between the women’s involvement in the suffrage movement and their desire for a negotiated settlement in place of war to resolve international disputes. There will be Q&A with Film Director from 8 pm.

Tuesday 26th May 7.30pm Stop The War Public Meeting at the Augustine Church, George 4th Bridge: Islamophobia, War and Chaos in the Middle East – the legacy of Bush and Blair.  With Moazzam Begg, Lindsey German, Aamer Anwar and Safeena Rashid

In Glasgow: 

Stop Arms sales to Israel May 9^th, The Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP (Map) Registration 9am (£10/£5) – Finish 6pm

Scrap Trident meeting 20th May (more information to follow)

 

EVENTS:

1. Edinburgh singer-songwriter, Calum Baird, plays alongside Edinburgh CND’s Penny Stone and legendary Scottish folk singer-songwriter and socialist, Dick Gaughan, at the Pleasance on the 1st of May in celebration of International Workers Day and the May Day weekend.

Tickets available here (not sold on the door):

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/the-may-day-concert-dick-gaughan-tickets/173559

http://www.tracscotland.org/festivals/tradfest/events/2685/the-may-day-concert-dick-gaughan

2. The Edinburgh CND banner will be on the march the following day 2nd May: assemble Middle Meadow Walk Edinburgh. There will be a rally at the Pleasance Theatre, 12.30pm. There will be a Peace stall and more singing from Penny Stone (and some other good speakers). Please join us.

3. Edinburgh CND will be meeting at 6pm on Monday 4th May at ACE. This is an informal meeting to plan our next events
4. Don’t Bank on the Bomb Scotland Campaign Meeting. 5 May. 7 – 9pm. Peace and Justice Centre.
5.  Edinburgh CND will  leafleting  at 1230 on Saturday 9th May East end of Princes Street.
6. The Story Collective are exploring Scotlands folk stories and their relevance to modern society and politics.

One of the stories being presented is “Assipattle & the Mestre Stoorworm” about a loathesome sea monster, and making a direct comparison to the Trident nuclear subs (at the Scottish Story -telling centre)

 NEWS:

You may have noticed that Trident has become a major issue in this general election campaign. Have your candidates made their feelings known?

CND’s has criticised Labour’s ‘hypocritical and muddled’ approach to foreign policy. In a landmark foreign policy speech at Chatham House today, Labour leader Ed Miliband pledged a commitment to multilateralism and global institutions, yet he reiterated Labour’s support for Britain retaining nuclear weapons, while failing to set out plans for multilateral disarmament and a global ban on nuclear weapons.

Miliband also criticised the Conservatives for lack of post-conflict planning following the 2011 bombing campaign in Libya and the ensuing migrant crisis – despite it being a war which Labour backed.

CND’s General Secretary Kate Hudson said:

‘Labour can’t have it both ways. Ed Miliband is trying to situate the party as one of multilateralism and international institution-building, but the party’s record is one of supporting disastrous and bloody misadventures: from Afghanistan to Iraq to Libya.

CND at the United Nations

A CND delegation will be heading to the UN in New York this weekend to participate in the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, an international conference on nuclear disarmament. As well as hosting an official fringe meeting, CND will join other NGOs at protest events and meet with Ambassadors. Global Wave to Nuclear Weapons  rally held in New York on April 26 (and other places).

Trident: Time to Move On has launched! Some of you may have seen the  letter in the Observer on  Sunday  –http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/apr/11/letters-trident-not-desirable Please do share the links – especially the petition – with your networks now as every single signature will count over the next three weeks as we attempt to demonstrate to politicians and the mainstream media that any complacency around this issue is sorely misplaced.

Future events:

1. Conscientious Objectors Day Vigilwith Protest in Harmony. 15 May. 5 – 6:30pm. On the MoundPrinces St.

likely to be followed by a Scottish Peace Network meeting at 7 pm at the peace & justice centre

2.The film ‘These Dangerous Women’  will be shown in Edinburgh on Monday 18 May 2015 at 7.30 pm at Augustine Centre Studio, George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL : you can book a place online: http://bit.ly/1Dg66kA.  The doors will be open at 7pm to give time to look at the photograph exhibition of WILPF women and events in WILPF’s 100 years of working for peace. The film tells the story of some of the British women who travelled to International Women’s Congress at The Hague in April 1915.  It reviews the relationship between the women’s involvement in the suffrage movement and their desire for a negotiated settlement in place of war to resolve international disputes.

3.OneWorld Peace Ceilidh Edinburgh Steiner School. 60 Spylaw Road. Friday 29th May.7:30pm til midnight.

4. Workshop on Friday 1 May:  George Wilkes, who directs the Relwar (Religion and Ethics in the Making of War and Peace) Project, works with an inter-disciplinary team of scholars in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and they have been invited to come to Edinburgh to contribute to input and facilitation based on their  contextual action-research and book projects.

We’ll be updating the site on a regular basis with news, information and events.  Do add it to your bookmarks.