Show support on Monday
Organisers of the campaign set up to defend Tommy Sheridan against a political witch-hunt have called on supporters to rally outside of the High Court when Sheridan and his partner Gail appear at a preliminary hearing. Jim Monaghan, spokesperson for the Defend Tommy Sheridan Campaign, said:
"we are calling on supporters of the campaign, and others with an interest in justice, to come to the court to show their support for Tommy and Gail. Politicians who claim expenses fraudulently are seemingly immune from the law, yet Tommy is singled out for a massive investigation that is going nowhere. From the start, this case has been a political witch hunt."
The hearing takes place on Monday 13 July at 10.00am at Edinburgh's High Court.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Defend Tommy Sheridan
Defend Tommy Sheridan
Solidarity have called on the Crown Office to explain the millions of pounds of public money allocated to the pursuit of the partys' Co-Convenor, Tommy Sheridan. Lothian and Borders Police have been investigating the case for nearly two years with, at times, dozens of officers working full-time. Solidarity Press Spokesperson, Hugh Kerr, said:
"The question of why this investigation was launched, and the resources allocated to it, has never been answered. This is a waste of public money and a distraction of Police resources that cannot be justified."
Sheridan and his partner Gail are due to appear at a preliminary hearing on Monday 13 July at the High Court in Edinburgh at 10.00am. Kerr called on Solidarity members to join him in a show of solidarity at the court:
"All socialists, trade unionists and activists should rally against this attack on our comrades. Tommy Sheridan has never failed to stand by the people in struggle and it's time for us to get behind him to end this politically motivated action."
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Vote Frances Villar for Mayor NYC 2009
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Bring on an independence referendum
A poll for the BBC shows an increasing number of Scots back the call for the Scottish Parliament to negotiate for Scotland to become an independent state.
The ICM poll for the BBC shows increasing support for Independence with 42% backing this position, an increase of 7% from 2007.
The poll also shows a majority of Scots (57%) think Scotland's constitutional future and changes to Scotland's tax raising powers should be decided by a referendum.
Well it is clear the majority of Scots want the sovereignty of the people recognised and therefore the right to decide Scotland's constitutional future by referendum. We could look at all opinion polls with this preference.
All Scottish Republican Socialists back a Yes vote for Independence if allowed a say in the matter. Scottish Independence is a first step towards a republic and a move closer to realising a dream of a Scottish Socialist Republic.
The ICM poll for the BBC shows increasing support for Independence with 42% backing this position, an increase of 7% from 2007.
The poll also shows a majority of Scots (57%) think Scotland's constitutional future and changes to Scotland's tax raising powers should be decided by a referendum.
Well it is clear the majority of Scots want the sovereignty of the people recognised and therefore the right to decide Scotland's constitutional future by referendum. We could look at all opinion polls with this preference.
All Scottish Republican Socialists back a Yes vote for Independence if allowed a say in the matter. Scottish Independence is a first step towards a republic and a move closer to realising a dream of a Scottish Socialist Republic.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Interview with Scottish Republican Socialist
This is an interview with Larry Morton a republican socialist and class fighter.
Did you ever meet the SNLA?
I met Adam Busby in Dublin but was disappointed I wanted Scottish militant activity to go beyond mere threats.
What were you a republican socialist?
Yes. That is Scotland is a republic and socialist.
Is there much active support for a Scottish Socialist Republic?
Not really I have started the Scottish Socialist Freedom Group which has picked up some members but in Scotland there exists very little.
What do you think of the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement (SRSM)?
Not a lot I was involved with them in 2006 but they quickly turned against me.
There was a court case wasn't that not true?
There was the sad fact that the SRSM backed a tout against me and sadly the complainer against me had a weak case of racism.
But why?
I had unfortunately sent emails so therefore compromised myself but the British turned against me like I had committed a terrible crime.
Was the victim threatened?
Yes by the SNLA. They were going to burn her house down because she was English.
Do you support this type of action?
No. I do not mind the English my war is against the Brits?
You were banned from attending Scottish events.
Only the tiny SRSM could ban me from attending their Scottish events that might interest republicans.
What do you think of SRSM leader Donald Anderson?
Not a great deal he is obsessed with trivial issues concerned with sectarianism or the Scottish Left.
Do you support an independent Scotland?
Yes as a step towards a republic.
Are you anti-English?
No. My girlfriend is English with Scottish blood not an issue.
Are you a socialist now?
I am a member of Solidarity and a Scottish Republican Socialist and the party are happy with that.
So you want a socialist republic for Scotland?
Yes but one step at a time first independence then the Scottish Left to unite as elected members of the Scottish parliament.
Do you want revolution?
Yes but an armed struggle takes a long time to organise then we are only left with political options by way of the constitutional road which is slow and painful.
Thank You
Interview from Larry Morton of the Scottish Socialist Freedom Group.
Did you ever meet the SNLA?
I met Adam Busby in Dublin but was disappointed I wanted Scottish militant activity to go beyond mere threats.
What were you a republican socialist?
Yes. That is Scotland is a republic and socialist.
Is there much active support for a Scottish Socialist Republic?
Not really I have started the Scottish Socialist Freedom Group which has picked up some members but in Scotland there exists very little.
What do you think of the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement (SRSM)?
Not a lot I was involved with them in 2006 but they quickly turned against me.
There was a court case wasn't that not true?
There was the sad fact that the SRSM backed a tout against me and sadly the complainer against me had a weak case of racism.
But why?
I had unfortunately sent emails so therefore compromised myself but the British turned against me like I had committed a terrible crime.
Was the victim threatened?
Yes by the SNLA. They were going to burn her house down because she was English.
Do you support this type of action?
No. I do not mind the English my war is against the Brits?
You were banned from attending Scottish events.
Only the tiny SRSM could ban me from attending their Scottish events that might interest republicans.
What do you think of SRSM leader Donald Anderson?
Not a great deal he is obsessed with trivial issues concerned with sectarianism or the Scottish Left.
Do you support an independent Scotland?
Yes as a step towards a republic.
Are you anti-English?
No. My girlfriend is English with Scottish blood not an issue.
Are you a socialist now?
I am a member of Solidarity and a Scottish Republican Socialist and the party are happy with that.
So you want a socialist republic for Scotland?
Yes but one step at a time first independence then the Scottish Left to unite as elected members of the Scottish parliament.
Do you want revolution?
Yes but an armed struggle takes a long time to organise then we are only left with political options by way of the constitutional road which is slow and painful.
Thank You
Interview from Larry Morton of the Scottish Socialist Freedom Group.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Solidarity Seek Socialist Unity in Glasgow North East
Solidarity Seek Socialist Unity in Glasgow North East
http://www.solidarityscotland.org/
Scotland's best electorally supported socialist party has agreed to renew efforts to foster left unity across Scotland and specifically to encourage a single left candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow North by-election. Solidarity will contact the leading left trade unions in Scotland again to appeal to them to gather the left groups and forces together with a view to knocking heads together in time for the likely November by-election poll.
Solidarity also agreed that if the left unity process does not develop in time for the by-election then our national co-convenor and former MSP, Tommy Sheridan, should be nominated as the Solidarity candidate. A final decision on this process is to be taken in early September.
Tommy Sheridan said today;
"My preference would be to campaign in support of a trade union backed left unity candidate instead of several socialist parties competing against one and other. . If the timescale available does not allow that process to ferment in time then I will fight hard to win the seat. With 11 years as a city councillor and 8 years as an MSP representing Glasgow under my belt I would probably be the most politically experienced and qualified candidate on the ballot paper".
http://www.solidarityscotland.org/
Scotland's best electorally supported socialist party has agreed to renew efforts to foster left unity across Scotland and specifically to encourage a single left candidate in the forthcoming Glasgow North by-election. Solidarity will contact the leading left trade unions in Scotland again to appeal to them to gather the left groups and forces together with a view to knocking heads together in time for the likely November by-election poll.
Solidarity also agreed that if the left unity process does not develop in time for the by-election then our national co-convenor and former MSP, Tommy Sheridan, should be nominated as the Solidarity candidate. A final decision on this process is to be taken in early September.
Tommy Sheridan said today;
"My preference would be to campaign in support of a trade union backed left unity candidate instead of several socialist parties competing against one and other. . If the timescale available does not allow that process to ferment in time then I will fight hard to win the seat. With 11 years as a city councillor and 8 years as an MSP representing Glasgow under my belt I would probably be the most politically experienced and qualified candidate on the ballot paper".
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Petition for Cuban Five
Click here to sign the petition Obama Grant Visas for the Cuban 5 Families
To: President Barack Obama
Since 1998, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, and Rene Gonzalez, known as the Cuban 5, have been unjustly imprisoned in the United States for trying to prevent terrorist attacks against Cuba.
Throughout their incarceration the Cuban 5 have been victims of multiple human rights violations. One of the most unjust and inhuman of these violations has been the systematic denial of visitation from their relatives; a basic right of all prisoners. The U.S. government has imposed a number of obstacles and unjustifiable delays in granting visas to their families. Hence, some of the Cuban 5 have only received an annual visit from family.
In the cases of Gerardo Hernandez and Rene Gonzalez, the situation is far more critical, as their wives have not been allowed to visit them in prison so far. Olga Salanueva, Rene Gonzalez’s wife has been denied visas to visit Rene based on unfounded arguments and pretexts. According to the U.S. government, Olga’s presence in the U.S. is a risk to national security. This argument is absurd because Olga lived in the U.S. for two years and two months after her husband’s arrest and was never linked to his federal charges nor was she ever accused of any herself. Also, it makes no sense to deny her a visa on an account of alleged intelligence activity since Rene was never accused of espionage.
In 2002, Gerardo Hernandez’s wife Adriana Perez was granted a visa to visit him. When she arrived to Houston Airport in Texas, she was arbitrarily detained, isolated, deprived her of her passport, photographed, and subjected to illegal questioning by the FBI for eleven hours and then sent back to Cuba. She was never allowed to visit Gerardo. Subsequently, Adriana has been denied visas to visit her husband.
The U.S. government asserts that she is a risk to national security. There is no proof or rationale that her presence will negatively impact national security. As with Olga Salanueva, Adriana’s name is not mentioned in the accusatory minutes linked to the Cuban 5’s charges. If the U.S. government had any evidence against her they could have arrested Adriana the moment she entered U.S. territory, but they didn’t.
President Obama, your decision to close Guantanamo Prison and your belief that Cuban-Americans should see their families in Cuba proves you believe in human rights and the reunification of families.
This denial of visas is keeping families apart and is a horrible human rights violation. In order to bring to an end to this flagrant violation of human rights, we ask that you intercede in this matter and grant visas to the families of the Cuban 5 and allow them to see their relatives on a regular basis.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
To: President Barack Obama
Since 1998, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, and Rene Gonzalez, known as the Cuban 5, have been unjustly imprisoned in the United States for trying to prevent terrorist attacks against Cuba.
Throughout their incarceration the Cuban 5 have been victims of multiple human rights violations. One of the most unjust and inhuman of these violations has been the systematic denial of visitation from their relatives; a basic right of all prisoners. The U.S. government has imposed a number of obstacles and unjustifiable delays in granting visas to their families. Hence, some of the Cuban 5 have only received an annual visit from family.
In the cases of Gerardo Hernandez and Rene Gonzalez, the situation is far more critical, as their wives have not been allowed to visit them in prison so far. Olga Salanueva, Rene Gonzalez’s wife has been denied visas to visit Rene based on unfounded arguments and pretexts. According to the U.S. government, Olga’s presence in the U.S. is a risk to national security. This argument is absurd because Olga lived in the U.S. for two years and two months after her husband’s arrest and was never linked to his federal charges nor was she ever accused of any herself. Also, it makes no sense to deny her a visa on an account of alleged intelligence activity since Rene was never accused of espionage.
In 2002, Gerardo Hernandez’s wife Adriana Perez was granted a visa to visit him. When she arrived to Houston Airport in Texas, she was arbitrarily detained, isolated, deprived her of her passport, photographed, and subjected to illegal questioning by the FBI for eleven hours and then sent back to Cuba. She was never allowed to visit Gerardo. Subsequently, Adriana has been denied visas to visit her husband.
The U.S. government asserts that she is a risk to national security. There is no proof or rationale that her presence will negatively impact national security. As with Olga Salanueva, Adriana’s name is not mentioned in the accusatory minutes linked to the Cuban 5’s charges. If the U.S. government had any evidence against her they could have arrested Adriana the moment she entered U.S. territory, but they didn’t.
President Obama, your decision to close Guantanamo Prison and your belief that Cuban-Americans should see their families in Cuba proves you believe in human rights and the reunification of families.
This denial of visas is keeping families apart and is a horrible human rights violation. In order to bring to an end to this flagrant violation of human rights, we ask that you intercede in this matter and grant visas to the families of the Cuban 5 and allow them to see their relatives on a regular basis.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
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