SSP Says Stop the War!
100 000 March in Glasgow
Glasgow was a sea of humanity as demonstrators poured into the
city from all over Scotland and the North of England. They were
joining the demonstration against war on Iraq, part of an
international mobilisation that saw 10 million take to the streets
worldwide on February 15th. So many had tried to come through by
train from Edinburgh that Waverley station was closed for some time.
Some of those gathering at Glasgow Green did not start marching until
an hour and a half after the front of the demo left. The march
attracted all sorts of people who do not want to see an attack on
Iraq and the killing of thousands of innocents. There were thousands
of young people who had come with their friends and made their own
banners and placards, there were veteran campaigners, striking FBU
members and many trade unionists. The SSP had a large contingent on
the demo, joining other parties such as the Greens, SNP and some
Labour branches who can not stomach what Tony Blair is doing.
But all the demonstrators were united in one cause. They wanted to
tell Tony Blair, "not in our name", no to the murder of thousands in
the name of oil greed and US domination. But Tony was not prepared to
face the people. He rescheduled his speech so that he could make a
quick getaway.
As thousands poured into the grounds of the SECC for the rally
speaker after speaker condemned Blair for his lies and hypocrisy.
Speaking for the SSP, Tommy Sheridan MSP called for mass action to
stop the war. He called on the demonstrators to vote out the pro-war
parties. He exposed New Labour, who are ready to spend millions on
war but who cannot find resources to fight poverty or pay our
firefighters. Tommy pointed out that socialists had been campaigning
against Saddam Hussein whilst Britain and the US were selling him
arms and chemical weapons. Finally he contrasted murderous intent of
the war-mongers with another vision of a world of love, justice and
human solidarity.
Order the t-shirt pictured above. Scottish
Socialist Productions
Photos of the
demo by Kevin Williamson
Photo Gallery of Feb. 15th
Demo
more info:
Scottish Coalition for Justice not
War
Scottish CND
Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition
Stop the War Coalition (London Demo)
SSP
opposes Iraqi War
Read the Scottish Socialist Voice for the
latest news.
Sheridan Steps Up Opposition to War
SSP Press Release 19.02.03
http://www.scottishsocialistparty.info/
Scottish Socialist Party Convenor and MSP, Tommy Sheridan today
stepped up the pressure in the campaign against the war.
He tabled an amendment to John Swinney's motion on the war to make it
clear that we should not support a war even if there is a second UN
resolution. He also tabled a motion criticising the Glasgow Police
and has written to the Chief Constable asking him to withdraw his
estimate of only 30,000 on the march.
Tommy Sheridan said,
"The campaign against this war must continue. Tony Blair is in
retreat after the huge turnouts on the peace marches. We must not be
allowed to go to war on the back of him and his friend George Bush
bribing, bullying and threatening the UN into accepting a second
resolution. Unlike all other parties, we say no to war even if the UN
approves it.
I have also written to the Chief Constable of Glasgow asking him to
withdraw his ludicrous estimate of 30,000 on the march on Saturday.
Everyone else in Glasgow that day estimates 80-100,00. What is wrong
with our police? Can't they count or do they have a political
agenda?"
SSP PUTS WAR ON POVERTY, NOT IRAQ ON PARLIAMENT AGENDA
Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist Party MSP and National
Convenor, will next week promote a war on poverty in Scotland, not
against Iraq in the course of the SSP's annual 90-minute debate
slot.
Next Thursday morning Tommy Sheridan will propose two motions. The
first will call on the Scottish Parliament to support the replacement
of the unfair council tax with a redistributive and progressive
Service Tax based on individual income. This radical tax measure
would effect a wealth transfusion in Scotland from the millionaires
and the wealthy to the low paid and pensioners.
Tommy said, "Our Scottish Service Tax proposal would improve the
disposable income of 77% of Scots. Pensioners and low paid workers
would benefit most. Instead of being hammered by the unfair council
tax, they would be taxed according to their income and those on less
than £10,000 a year would be exempt. The wealthy and
millionaires in society would pay more. This measure is a radical
assault on poverty and delivers significant wealth redistribution
throughout Scotland. This is what the Scottish Parliament has failed
to do in the last three years."
Tommy's second motion will urge support for the Scottish Coalition
for Justice Not War's demonstration on 15 February.
Tommy Sheridan said, "The overwhelming majority of Scots are opposed
to the Bush-driven war for oil. They know this war has nothing to do
with justice, weapons of mass destruction or the war on terrorism. It
has everything to do with Bush's desire to control world oil and
extend the American empire."
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