14th Feb: 1.1. Scrap Trident Love the Planet day of action as build up to 27th. There is a stall from 12noon to 2pm at the East End of Princes Street. Edinburgh. Big hearts and these will be used for photos which can be used on social media. We will also have petitions, bus info, banners, crane-making, pavement chalking and music. More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/538898022948067/
1.2 13th Feb: this is our normal 2nd Sat event 1230 East End of Princes Street, so we will use it to advertise Scrap Trident Love the Planet.

2. 27th Feb Scrap Trident Demo in London : 2.1.Bus leaves Edinburgh 26th Feb 10.15pm Waterloo place: http://scraptrident.org  for information on how to book tickets. Even if you cannot come with us come and give a good send off could be used to get media attention.                                                                                                                                     2.2 There is a crash space in London for those who wish to stay longer (and meeting on Sunday) It is at Turnpike lane and buses will go there after dropping off in centre of London. See CND website for further details: http://cnduk.org                                                 2.3 MPs should join march. Contact yours and ask them to stay in London

3. Trident continues to dominate the political agenda at Westminster in the run up to the Demonstration on Saturday 27 February. The Government recently announced that the cost of replacing the four submarines has increased by £16 billion. The same document stated that the real security threats facing the UK are climate change, cyber attacks and terrorism – which nuclear weapons do nothing to address. Caroline Lucas, Chair of Parliamentary CND, has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons urging the Government to cancel Trident replacement in light of these announcements.

4. Peace and Justice Centre February newsletter http://peaceandjustice.org.uk                 Events include:
4.1. 140,000 Paper Cranes Workshops Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre, 5 Upper Bow, EH1 2JN Saturdays: 30 January, 6 & 20 February. 2 – 4pm
4.2. Conflict Resolution Skills Training Workshop: for working with groups of young people, 5 – 12 years old. Saturday 13 February, 10am – 5pm.
4.3. The World Is My Country Exhibition Thurs 25 Feb – Sat 12 March Free Exhibition Launch 6pm Thursday 25 February
4.4. Songs of the Unsung Heroes. Saturday 12 March. 2 – 4:30pm. Scottish Storytelling Centre 43-45 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR

5. 5.1 Are you involved with a political party, community group, trades union or student union? Edinburgh Stop the War would be really pleased to do a short presentation on the issues around Britain’s engagement in bombing campaigns in Syria and Iraq and the implications this has for the Middle East and on civil liberties and the economy here. Contact edinburghstw@tiscali.co.uk for a speaker.
5.2 Edinburgh Meeting The next Edinburgh Stop the War Meeting is 7.30pm Monday 15 February at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace – more details will be published on the Facebook Page and the website.
5.3 Syria You can download a copy of their petition at https://www.scribd.com/doc/298238583/Syria-Petition

5.4 Saturday 20 February – at the Assembly Rooms – we will be running a workshop that looks at Trident and war in the Middle East at the RIC Conference – for more details go to http://www.radical.sco

6. Drones Campaign monthly news sign up via website here.

7. On January 28, the UN Open Ended Working Group on nuclear disarmament (OEWG) held its first session in Geneva. The success of the OEWG will require greater public promotion and campaigning around the world – especially in capitals. UNFOLD ZERO has therefore launched a contest to find an inspiring global action to promote the OEWG. Please encourage your mayor, parliamentarian or local religious leader/s to endorse the joint statement A Nuclear-Weapon-Free World Our Common Good.

8. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THE BIG DEBATE WITH GORDON BREWER IN EDINBURGH? St Kentigern’s Church Hall, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR, Friday 19th February, 2016, Doors open at the venue at 11:15am, show is on air from 12pm – 1pm – webpage link to booking form:http://bbc.in/1Al9Rpx , phone 0141 422 7773

9.Benefit in Aid of Edinburgh CND After a successful ‘Plants for Peace’ stall two years running at the Meadows Festival we decided to try a new way of raising funds and have been lucky enough to be offered a comedy benefit night 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
10. Scottish CND executive minutes for February are available

There will be a meeting of Edinburgh CND on Monday 1st February. We will be discussing the build up to the 27th Feb demo and the transport arrangements to it:

Stop Trident demonstration – the final countdown is on.
The Stop Trident demonstration is 27th February – just five weeks away. How is mobilising going? Don’t forget these upcoming events to get ready:
Constituency Lobby This Weekend
1. If you are available this weekend you can use the CND website to contact your MP and ask for a meeting. If you have any questions or want further information please email parliamentary@cnduk.org
2. Day of Action: Saturday, 6th February
3. Scotland: 14th February Love the Planet Scrap Trident. Watch this space for Edinburgh events. #Lovetheplanet#scraptrident
4. Stop Trident Bus and Tube Adverts: If you’re in Bristol, Leeds or Manchester between 8th February and 3rd March, or in London between 15th and 28th February, watch out for buses promoting the Stop Trident demonstration! If you spot one of the ads on buses or the Tube in London, try to get a photo and tweet it at us using the #StopTrident hashtag!
5. Placard Making Competition: Full competition details can be found on the CND web site

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon will address a major anti-nuclear weapons demo in central London next month alongside trades union and party leaders. The Labour Party has recently launched a formal review of defence policy including Trident and MPs are expected to vote on Trident replacement in the coming months. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which is organizing the Stop Trident demonstration, says the event could be the largest mobilisation against nuclear weapons in a generation. It has attracted the support of over twenty organisations, including War on Want, Greenpeace, Pax Christi, Stop the War Coalition, Friends of the Earth, Quakers and the People’s Assembly Against Austerity.

STOP PRESS: CND have teamed up with designer Katharine Hamnett and ethical clothing company Rapanui to bring you a range of T-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags to help get you kitted out for the colossal demo to Stop Trident. They’re made in an ethically accredited, wind-powered factory and printed on 100% organic cotton. So buy your Stop Trident T-shirt today to support green and sustainable manufacturing, as well as our planet-saving campaign to get rid of nuclear weapons! https://cnduk.teemill.co.uk

Other News:

1.The ‘Great War’ exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Queen St on Sunday, very good, informative and some gender balance. Recommended and topical.

https://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/exhibitions/remembering-the-great-war

2. Ask your MP to support: Early day motion 987 on Nuclear Convoys:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/987

3.Edinburgh University International Development Society have some interesting events next week : https://www.facebook.com/euidsoc/events/

4.Two events in Manchester: A full pdf programme is also attached, with a Word registration form.
These are being placed on the following websites:
http://www.nuclearpolicy.info, http://www.gmdcnd.gn.apc.org,
http://www.chernobylchildren.org.uk

5. The United Nations has decided to re-establish an Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations. It will hold its substantive sessions in Geneva in February, May and August 2016 (with an organisational meeting on January 28). The sessions will be open to all governments as well as representatives of civil society.

1. David Cameron has promised a parliamentary vote on Trident renewal sometime this year although as the Trident spending was in the budget a vote is not strictly necessary. Trident subBut whether there is a parliamentary vote or not the Trident Renewal programme will be rolling along – and of course a Vanguard class submarine is still currently out at sea 24/7 armed with enough warheads to kill and maim millions and millions of people and cause devastation for years to come. The Scrap Trident Coalition is kicking off campaigning in Scotland this year with a Day of Action across the country called Love the Planet – Scrap Trident on 14th February (of course!). Then we will send a big contingent down to London for the CND march and rally on February 27th to make Scotland’s opposition to Trident very clear down where such decisions are made, book tickets here:                                                         Artist Peter Kennard launches Stop Trident placard design competition ahead of the demonstration in London next month, a leading political artist he has launched the Stop Trident placard design competition in association with CND, which he hopes will inspire a new generation of activist artists: http://cnduk.org/component/k2/item/2330-stop-trident-placard-competition         The next meeting of the Scottish Scrap Trident Group will be on Thursday 21st Jan (after the Don’t Bank on the Bomb meeting.

2. The latest issue of nuClear News No.81 January 2016 is now available for downloading here:
http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo81.pdf
AND Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre has now moved: Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre. 5, Upper Bow. Edinburgh. EH1 2JN.
3. Edinburgh Stop the War thanks everyone who supported activities and events in 2015. They will be holding out regular organizing meeting on Monday 18th January, 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace.
They will also have a campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street from midday to 1.30pm on Saturday 16th January.

4. An SNP MSP will write to the Chief Constable after concern was expressed about police harassment of peace campaigners who were watching the movement of Trident nuclear weapons across Scotland. Bill Kidd said: “It seems to be a waste of police time to be stopping and questioning law-abiding peace campaigners who are simply performing a legitimate public service by keeping a watchful eye on the transport of nuclear weapons along our roads. It appears that the MOD has, without good reason, requested that police officers detain peaceful nuclear disarmers by means of carrying out spurious car searches. I will be writing to the chief constable asking that this unwarranted practise should stop henceforth”. Neil Findlay MSP (Labour) also commented, “I fully support the police in their work but they have to be absolutely clear that will not prevent peaceful, law-abiding campaigners from going about their business”. Bruce Crawford MSP has put down a motion in the Scottish Parliament which condemns the convoy as “an unacceptable risk to public safety”. The convoy was reported in the National and several local newspapers.
Officers from Police Scotland harassed two groups of peace campaigners in Stirling.
Alisdair Ibbotson of Stirling University CND was standing with a colleague at a roundabout nearby. They were approached by a police officer. He said “Right, your name and address, date of birth, place of birth and nationality. Failure to do so constitutes an offence and you may be arrested. You are formally required to provide your details.” (video)
John Ainslie, Coordinator of Scottish CND, said: “Police Scotland harassed several peace campaigners who were trying to draw attention to the fact that nuclear weapons are transported across the country. The police should support the Scottish Parliament and Government in their categorical rejection of Trident. We should not allow our police to be complicit in a conspiracy of silence or to reinforce the view that driving weapons of mass destruction through our towns and cities is normal and not worthy of note.”

N.B Minutes of the latest SCND Executive are available.

5. On January 11, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held a special meeting in New York to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the very first UNGA meeting in London. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will end his 10-year term in December 2016. The campaign for the next UN Secretary-General has begun and the peace person of 2015 chosen

6. Finally: Talks, Conferences etc – SRF and http://tridentploughshares.org/january-2016-awe-burghfield-briefing/

Bus to the 27th Feb Stop Trident Demo:link to book bus tickets for the Glasgow and Edinburgh buses to your website please
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bus-from-scotland-to-cnd-stop-trident-demo-in-london-27-feb-tickets-20498872680

Please note Edinburgh CND will not be meeting on 4th Jan. Instead we will be supporting the following meeting on the 8th: 

Sister Megan Rice: TRANSFORM NOW PLOUGHSHARES
Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre  5 Upper Bow
Friday 8 January 5:30 – 7:30pm.

At the age of 82 Sister Megan Rice, a Catholic nun, along with two other Christian peace activists, caused “The biggest security breach in the history of the [USA’s] atomic complex” and shut down a nuclear weapons plant for two weeks. She was found guilty of sabotage but the verdict was later overturned on appeal and she was dramatically released from prison after more than two years. Come hear her tell her remarkable story.
“The Holy Spirit guided us” – Sister Megan Rice

Event Organised by:
Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre
Trident Ploughshares

Supported by Edinburgh CND

Saturday 9th Jan 1230, leafleting at the East End of Princes Street

Who would you choose to be the 2015 Arms Control Person(s) of the Year?

There’ll be an Edinburgh Stop the War stall at the east end of Princes Street – Saturday 19th Dec, 1pm – 2.30pm – we’ll be leafletting and petitioning to say Stop the Bombing – turn the tide against war. Even if you can only do half an hour do come along.

On Thursday 24th December some members of Women in Black will be at their usual spot (East End of Princes Street) from 1pm to 2pm. We will also be standing to say Stop the Bombing – turn the tide against war. This is not a Women only event and all organisations and individuals are invited.

There will not be an EdinburghCND meeting on 4th Jan, but we are discussing an alternative event later in the month.

Last reminders of 2015: Stop Trident Demo on 27th February 2016 and

Fundraiser at the Stand:
http://www.thestand.co.uk/show/27151/benefit_in_aid_of_edinburgh_cnd

++++++++++After more than 30 years at St John’s Church the Peace and Justice Centre is moving to 5 Upper Bow* just off The Royal Mile, where they will provide information and resources, have exhibition space, our library, and a small shop stocking T-shirts, badges, books and Fair Trade items, and mailboxes, desks and meeting space for Centre Users.

For 2016 the Australians are planning a walk through the Karlamilyi National Park to the proposed Kintyre uranium mine around the beginning of June (more updates coming soon) and FCNL in USA send greetings to all.

From all the staff at CND, thank you for supporting the campaign this year. Whether you signed our petition, ran a street stall, spoke to your MP or made a much-needed donation we are truly grateful. Working together, we’ve had a big impact this year

Following the decision to bomb Syria Edinburgh Stop the War has organised this public meeting to provide a space to pool ideas and discuss practical steps to take the campaign forward. We will have a small number of short plenary contributions but most of the time will be for discussion and debate – we will organise the event to maximise the opportunities for participation.
Wednesday 16th December Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL 7.30pm to 9.30pm. EdinburghCND is supporting this important meeting (see 2 below)

There may also be a Peace Vigil on 24th December (watch this space)

1. Edinburgh CND Monthly Meeting Monday 7th December 6pm in ACE  17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HA All welcome.  Edinburgh CND leafleting 12.30 Saturday 12th (East End of Princes Street)

2. Edinburgh Stop the War Public Meeting on the situation in Syria Quaker Meeting House Victoria Terrace,7.30pm on the 16th December (the day before the Scrap Trident Meeting)

3. Hot off the presses, and straight from the creative desk of Gwen Sinclair, here are the 2015 SCND Christmas cards, with a topical message about the cost of Trident Renewal. The latest estimate is £167billion – now there’s something to write home about! The wording inside the card says “Seasons Greetings” and “There is a £167 billion coin hidden in the CND Christmas pudding. This is the amount we can save by scrapping Trident” Please buy some to support SCND financially £4 for 10 for pick up and at our stalls £5 for 10 including posting and packing
Order online

4. December Newsletter from the Peace and Justice Centre; http://peaceandjustice.org.uk

5. The latest issue of nuClear News is now available for downloading at http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo80.pdf

and latest issue of Drone Campaign news:  https://dronecampaignnetwork.wordpress.com
 

6. At a timely and important seminar in Oxford recently, ICAN partner organisation NFLA (Nuclear Free Local Authorities) highlighted some very worrying shortcomings in safety at nuclear defence installations and on convoy routes. Sean Morris of NFLA said, “Such concerns alarm us as the announcement of the Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review said virtually nothing about improving defence nuclear safety”.

7. On 27th February 2016, CND is holding a national demonstration to Stop Trident. Help us raise the £35,000 urgently needed, donate today.
This is the most important time for the campaign in a generation. We are just months away from a parliamentary vote on Trident replacement. This is our chance to Stop Trident.
To win, we need to show government and parliament just how many of us want Trident stopped and any replacement cancelled.
CND is bringing the country together on February 27th for a national demonstration to Stop Trident. We need your help to make it as big as it can be. Please donate to help us make this an event that goes down in history. Will you help? Contact CND at campaigns@cnduk.org or 020 7700 2393 to get more information and register to come along.CND is also fundraising.
Women against War Walkabout: 12th December at Aldermaston
Commemorating ‘Embrace the Base’ and protesting against war and nuclear weapons. There is also a London Demo toStop the Bombing of Syria
8. Gabriel Carlyle and Emily Johns are offering to present their 10 poster exhibition and booklet ‘The World is my Country’ in Glasgow on Wednesday 24th February.

9. December 4 2005, Swedish Annie Borjesson was found dead on the shore in Prestwick, Scotland. http://www.thenational.scot/news/lawyer-backs-calls-for-womans-2005-death-to-be-re-investigated.11112

 

Gather at the East End of Princes Street in Edinburgh at 5pm tonight (Thursday 3rd) to say ‪#‎StoptheBombing‬. As we feared the UK bombing in Syria started almost immediately. Bring placards and banners.
Glasgow gather at the same time at the Buchanan Street Steps – look out for similar events in other towns and cities and if there’s nothing organise it yourself. Message us with details and we’ll share as widely as we can.

Two events on Wednesday 2nd December when it is expected that there will be a vote at Westminster on Syria

Scottish Parliament – Don’t Bomb Syria – Build Peace Not War: assemble midday to stand with MSPs to say no to bombing.

Wellington Statue – East End Of Princes Street, 5pm – 7pm Vigil Don’t Bomb Syria

 

1. These are dangerous times and it looks likely that there will be a House of Commons vote on Syria early next week.
Don’t Bomb SyriaEdinburgh Rally between 5pm and 7pm on Monday 30th November at the East End of Princes Street. Bring candles, torches, placards and banners.
Contact your MP – in particular ask SNP MPs to adhere to the policy passed at their conference on not bombing Syria
Use the 2-minute lobby tool http://bit.ly/1T4T6Uw to tell your MP Don’t Bomb Syria. LOBBY YOUR MP

2. This Saturday (28th) we will be at Scotland’s Climate March with our Scrap Trident Replacement fund Climate Jobs banner. Meet with us 12noon at the meadows. There is also an STUC March in Glasgow: Refugees Welcome to Scotland Assemble: 10:30am Glasgow Green
March Off: 11am

3. Public Meeting After the Paris killings: NO TO RACISM; NO TO WARWednesday 25 November Friends Meeting House 7 Victoria Terrace Edinburgh
EH1 2JL 7.30pm Organised by: Stand up to Racism, Scotland Against Criminalising Communities, Edinburgh Stop the War

4. The UK government has announced a further hike in the cost of replacing Trident in its Strategic Defence and Security Review published today.
The cost of replacing the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons submarines is set to rise to £41 billion. The government previously stated four new submarines would cost £25 billion.
The new figure comes after the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee reported last month that Trident replacement could rise to £167 billion when maintenance of the system is costed in.
CND is calling a major national demonstration to Stop Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system.
Stop Trident Demo: 27th February 2016
and Stop Trident Days of Action: Saturday, 6th February
Constituency Lobby: Friday & Saturday, 22-23rd January
Invite Bruce Kent to your Stop Trident event!
Check the CND website for updates! The Stop Trident Days of Action and Constituency Lobby are up on the website, where you can register to meet with your MP at the Constituency Lobby, find out where coaches are coming from, and get lots more information. You can also find out which other organisations are supporting the demo so you can link up with them for local actions and events. Just check the website
Join the Thunderclap! Help raise the awareness of the Stop Trident Days of Action and Demonstration by joining the Thunderclap – a mass mobilisation of people on the internet – all you need is Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr! Check the CND website for details
#StopTrident is the hashtag to use for the demo and related events
Just a reminder: if you would like a local media pack to promote your days of action, events and coaches to the demo, please contact pressoffice@cnduk.org.
Leafletting! Let us know if you need more postcards for leafletting in your area. There’ll be a lot of it going on around the country – please help in spreading the word to make sure everywhere is covered.

5. Drone Campaign Network’s monthly email
website here.

6. Edinburgh CND Benefit night on Tuesday 221st June 2016 at The Stand here in Edinburgh (watch this space

7. Battle of the Somme centenary to be marked by UK vigils
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34868249

There will be a Don’t Bank on the Bomb photo / stunt 10am Tuesday outside the RBS Registered office on the East side of St Andrews Square. It would be great to have a small crowd there to stand with the banner. Essentially we have written to RBS requesting a meeting re our concerns about their investments so this will be the start of campaigning here in Scotland on this issue.

and: Leafleting outside Spokes meeting in the evening.

Reminders about up and coming meetings:

1. Scrap Trident Skillshare: Saturday 14 November, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm St Thomas of Aquins RC High School, 2-20 Chalmers St, Edinburgh EH3 9ES
A day of lively and interactive workshops to share knowledge about Trident nuclear weapons and the grassroots campaigns working to scrap them. All welcome. Lunch provided. Book Your Place Now.                         +++There will also be leafleting 1230 at West End Princes Street.
2. Peace is Possible: That’s the theme for Radical Voices Sunday evening, 15 November, at the Constitution Bar, Constitution Street, Leith. All welcome to bring a song, poem or story, or just interest and enthusiasm.
PLEASE NOTE that we’ll be starting at the earlier time of 6 pm. And do pass along the attached flyer to anyone who might be interested in coming.
3. Launch of the Don’t Bank on the Bomb Campaign: Monday 16 November, 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicholson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX
Speakers: Wilbert van der Zeijden, Pax (Netherlands). Rebecca Sharkey ICANUK. Richard Dyer, MD, Medact.
Phil Lucas, CAAT. Speaker from Edinburgh University People & Planet. Chair: Brian Larkin, Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre. Please Book a place here so we have an idea of numbers for catering. Tea and cake provided. At the meeting on 10th November it was areed to draft a letter to be submitted to RBS and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Next meeting 9th December.
Other news:
1. Please do encourage people to use CAATs e-action to email MSPs about their pensions: http://act.foe-scotland.org.uk/lobby/63

2. nuClear News No.79, November 2015 is now available for downloading here: http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo79.pdf

3. News from CND (UK): The Chief of the UK Defence Staff criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s refusal to launch a nuclear strike, amidst the growing debate on Trident replacement. CND is joining calls for the Defence Secretary to take action against this political intervention, as – in our democracy – the military is required to be politically neutral.
General Sir Nicholas Houghton’s comments are the latest example of the flagrant disregard for due process regarding the UK’s nuclear weapons system; just weeks after the Prime Minister David Cameron’s arrogant assertion, ahead of a Parliamentary vote, that the government will order four new Trident submarines.
CND needs your help to challenge these attempts by the political establishment to bypass democratic channels and pre-empt the debate. Right now, they’re organising meetings across the UK to give the people a voice in the debate on whether Britain should have nuclear weapons or not. And on February 27th, there will be a huge national protest in London to demonstrate the massive opposition to Trident replacement. Following the lobby on the 4th there will be a Constituency lobby on 22-23 January to keep up the dialogue and pressure for an anti-Trident vote.
Saturday, 6th February
In the run up to 27th February, we’re planning Stop Trident days of action. Please use these opportunities to raise awareness and mobilise for the big demo! Organise a street stall, public meeting, film night or stunt on these days – or at other times if these dates don’t work for you. If you need speakers or help with any planning, don’t hesitate to contact me at campaigns@cnduk.org.
Please book coaches to the demo! I’m pleased to report that there are already coaches coming from Norwich, Bath, Exeter, Northampton and Edinburgh. Let me know the details of your coaches and I’ll promote it on the CND website. Also, if you would like a local media pack to promote your days of action and coaches to the demo, please contact pressoffice@cnduk.org. You can also join CNDs letter writing media activists
4. Tuesday, 17 November, commemoration of the 1915 rent strikes and the march through Glasgow on 17 November 1915 that led to the Rent Restriction Act freezing rents for the duration of the war (see earlier post)

Free this afternoon (8th) 4pm? Why not come have some fun at an free interactive Cooperative Games workshop with Elena Rodriguez from Educacion en la Nonviolencia in Madrid. Leith Community 12A Newkirkgate EH6 6AD 

On Monday 2nd November EdinburghCND had a meeting to discuss the issue of the Nuclear Convoys that regularly use Scotland’s roads. If you are not familiar with it: here is the link:
DEADLY CARGO View on vimeo.com Preview by YahooWe are trying to put together a list of people who may be available to oppose these convoys. If you can consider being on such a list, please email edinburghcnd@yahoo.com.
We would also like to get this video seen as widely as possible, so please share to Facebook, Twitter etc. You can also learn more at the Edinburgh Skillshare on 14th November (see below)

Don’t Bomb Syria
It’s likely that there will be a vote at Westminster in the near future to sanction Britain joining the US, Russia, Turkey and other countries in bombing Syria. More bombs are not the answer to the Syrian crisis.
Two things you can do:
1. Please contact your MP to make your opposition to more bombing clear. You can use the online tool on the Stop the War website to do this.
http://stopwar.org.uk/…/stop-the-bombing-of-syria-now-lobby…
2.Labour’s opposition is crucial but the indications are that many Labour MPs may vote with the Tories. Please make your views clear to Ian Murray MP either through the use of the online tool or by ringing 0131 662 4520 or emailing ian@ianmurraymp.co.uk If you live in Edinburgh South lobby Ian at his Minto Street surgery 9am 2 November

The latest Drones Campaign 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.
To receive the monthly email newsletter, sign up via website here.

The Peace and Justice Centre have moved temporarily to share a small office between Edinburgh Interfaith Association and the One World Shop on the lower level of City of Edinburgh Methodist Church (Nicolson Square)
To find us look for the One World Shop entrance down the stair at the front of the building. We are just to the right of that. We will continue to be open from Tuesdays – Saturdays 10am – 4pm. The latest P and J newsletter is available http://peaceandjustice.org.uk

The Annual Conference of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will take place on Saturday 7 November 2015 in St Columba’s by the Castle Church, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW. (map) Registration from 10.30 am. Meeting starts 11 am. Close 4 pm. Speakers Brendan O’Hara MP Brendan is the Defence spokesperson of the Scottish National Party and MP for the Argyll and Bute constituency which includes Faslane. (biography) Thomas Nash
Thomas is the Director of Article 36. He has played a significant role in the latest international move to ban nuclear weapons. His particular expertise is in how the experience of prohibiting land mines and cluster munitions can be applied to eliminating nuclear weapons. He has worked for the New Zealand and Canadian foreign ministries and as Coordinator of the Cluster Munitions Coalition.

CND has welcomed Shaker Aamer’s release from Guantanamo Bay and has renewed calls to finally close down the infamous prison.
After 13 years of detention and torture, without being charged or put on trial, the British government today confirmed that Shaker is on his way home to his family in the UK.

The Scottish Peace Network is organising a vigil to protest the glorification of war inherent in the official Remembrance Day ceremonies. We will be gathering at 10:30 on Sunday, November 8, at parliament square along the royal mile in Edinburgh. Shortly afterward, a march organised by British Legion will pass by on the way to a wreath laying ceremony attended by various dignitaries. Everyone welcome to our peaceful protest. We will have a banner and placards but you are welcome to bring your own. We will be distributing a flyer.

Edinburgh World Justice Festival review, planning meeting and AGM 7.30 Wednesday 4 November
City of Edinburgh Methodist Church halls, 25 Nicolson Square, EH8 9BX Edinburgh
https://www.facebook.com/ events/149962378689207/

The second Big Scrap Trident Skillshare is on Nov 14th in Edinburgh please book a ticket now. It’s from 10am – 4.30pm at St Thomas Aquins School, 2-20 Chalmers St, EH3 9ES
We will again be looking at the convoys that transport Trident warheads on our roads and how we can use the global push to ban nuclear weapons to support our work here in Scotland. Learn about ways to engage with your elected reps and the new campaign against investment in nuclear weapons companies. Explore the knotty issue of jobs at Faslane and hear about experiences of nonviolent direct action and faith based resistance. Practical workshops on how to present the arguments to the public and how to get your message seen will set you up to go out and decare loud and strong SCRAP TRIDENT! (and there will be home made cake again!!) For more information see here Book a free place at the skillshares here Share it on Facebook

Don’t Bank on the Bomb Campaign Launch– 7 – 9 pm. 16 November City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square EH8 9BX Companies that manufacture nuclear weapons depend on banks and financial institutions investments. RBS is the largest investor in nuclear weapons in the UK. Many pension funds, including those of our public institutions, also invest in them. Anyone with a bank account or a pension may be tangled up in this web. But that also gives us the power to demand divestment. Find out how to get involved and help remove support from companies that profit from nuclear madness.  Book place at dontbankonthebombscotlandlaunch.eventbrite.co.uk  or call EP&JC on 07541 023022

The Scottish Parliament has just adopted a strong position against Trident renewal with 96 MSPs supporting the motion and only 17 voting against. There was a clear attempt during the debate for MSPs to put their opposition to Trident first and party politics second.

CND welcomed the decision taken by Scottish Labour  to oppose the replacement of Trident, the UK’s nuclear weapons system. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “Scottish Labour’s decision to oppose Trident replacement is another nail in the coffin of the UK’s nuclear weapons system. This decision means that 75% of people in Scotland voted for parties which oppose the nuclear weapons system hosted at Faslane and Coulport.” A new report from Reuters showed that the true cost of renewing Trident will be far higher than the huge sums already mentioned. Labour CND held a fringe meeting on Friday evening at the Labour Party Conference. During the day on Friday was leafleting to publicise this meeting and to attempt to influence the vote on holding a debate with further leafleting and lobbying on Saturday to encourage delegates to vote against Trident.

Please sign the petition to the UK government started by the Tweeddale Peace Group:
Decommission and remove Trident weapon systems from the UK.
We call on the Westminster government, in compliance with international law, to implement the complete decommissioning and removal of all nuclear weapon systems from UK soil and waters.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/110665
YEELIRRIE UPDATE Right now the world’s largest uranium company – Cameco of Canada – is seeking the State government’s all clear to mine WA’s biggest uranium deposit at Yeelirrie in the northern Goldfields. You can help by letting the EPA know that uranium mining is unnecessary, unsafe and unwelcome.[]

CAAT Edinburgh local meeting on Monday 9th November, 7-8:45 pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. An article about the new local campaign:https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/2836/andrew-smith-and-mark-bitel-disarming-the-scottish-parliament.  They are seeking a Voluntary Development Worker to work with the lcoal campaign for about 2 hours per week. A small honorarium and expenses are offered.