Edinburgh latest University occupied in Israel protest
The Edinburgh occupation
They said that there was no such thing as student radicalism anymore, however occupations at 24 of Britain’s universities (4 here in Scotland) have put paid to that particular myth. The Scotsman on Thursday 12th February reports that the wave of protests and University occupations against Israel’s targeting of Gaza are “the most culturally significant in over a decade.”
Glasgow University students have entered into occupation.
”We are currently occupying the top floor of the Computer Science building in solidarity with the Gazan people, and in protest to the war crimes committed by the state of Israel against the Palestinian people, the University's complicity in this via links to the arms trade, and the BBC's refusal to show the DEC appeal.”
Following the overnight continuation of our occupation and a hugely succesful solidarity rally on the steps of the McCance, University of Strathclyde Principal Andrew Hamnett has conceded the following:
£100million siphoned from council schools in PFI subterfuge!
SOLIDARITY - Scotland’s Socialist Movement, claims to have uncovered a long-running ‘subterfuge’ by which central government funds - publicly destined for council schools - are routed instead via local councils to help pay PFI/PPP charges.
The Scottish Executive/Government once had a fund called the Schools Fund, a ring-fenced capital grant to local authorities “for the purpose of making improvements to the school estate.” In the financial year 2007/08 this amounted to £146.05million. [source d]
A group of 50 Strathclyde University Students have occupied the McCance Building in protest at their Universities links to arms companies and the Israeli water company Eden Springs.
The students have presented the University with a series of demands which include removing Eden Springs from on campus, scholarships to be granted to Palestinians in Gaza and that the University condemns the recent attacks on Gaza.
Solidarity Scotland’s Socialist Movement offers our support to those striking workers in construction and the oil refineries across the country who have taken a stand to defend the right to work, the principle of trade union rights and to prevent the undermining of collective bargaining.
We support those demands made to protect jobs, wages and conditions. We especially support those demands that recognise that the focus of the workers anger is not that of foreign nationals but rather anti-trade union employers who seek to undermine the hard fought for gains by trade unions over the decades in those industries.
To the employers this is not a question of the nationality of the workforce employed but of the profit they can be wrung out of hiring cheaper, preferably non-unionised labour. It is also about undermining organised labour wherever it appears.
Save Our Schools Rally, Saturday 14th February, George Square 11.30am
The New Labour run City of Glasgow Council is facing a major revolt from working class communities following the recent announcement that up to 25 schools and nurseries could close in the city.
There have been two noisy and colorful protests outside the city chambers already by parents angry at the plans as well as well attended public meetings across the city in areas like Ruchill and Wyndford whose schools face closure. Parents from both these areas chained themselves to railings outside the council meeting and vowed to fight the council and its plans.
(News release from UNISON) Glasgow Council's 21 Community Service Supervisors, on strike for three weeks over proposals by Glasgow Council to cut their pay, are planning to take their case to the public with demonstrations and to escalate their action.
The supervisors remain on indefinite strike action, but the Council remain intransigent and are still refusing to withdraw the pay cuts the strikers face under "service reform" proposals.
The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) will project the banned DEC appeal for Gaza on to the wall of the BBC in Edinburgh at 5.30pm today. Join the SPSC demonstration at Edinburgh - BBC East Scotland, The Tun, Holyrood Rd 5.30pm Speakers include Pauline Goldsmith, one of the four signatories of the actors' boycott letter.
In Glasgow at 4.30pm a demonstration will be held at Glasgow - BBC Scottish HQ, Pacific Quay organised by Stop the War.
Solidarity with Gail and Tommy Sheridan
Solidarity gives our full support to our Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan and his partner Gail. We will continue to fight alongside Tommy against injustice, and in defence of whoever is victimised by the rich and powerful. Solidarity reaffirms our commitment to campaign for justice for the Palestinian people; to fight school closures in Glasgow; cuts and redundancies across the country, as the economic crisis deepens; and to engage in 'left unity' initiatives aimed at strengthening the voice of the socialist left as we approach the forthcoming elections.
Events Calendar
Glasgow University students have entered into occupation. 
Following the overnight continuation of our occupation and a hugely succesful solidarity rally on the steps of the McCance, University of Strathclyde Principal Andrew Hamnett has conceded the following:
