BBC News Online
A protest has been held outside Greenock Prison over the detention of asylum seekers there.
Scottish Socialist MSP Frances Curran, was among the protesters. She said that the detention of asylum seekers at the jail was outrageous.
She said: "When is the penny going to drop to the Scottish Executive that people do not go on hunger strike because they are interested in getting a job or a house?
"These people are fleeing terror, they are fleeing the threat of execution, and they are fleeing torture.
"They are very vulnerable people and our society should be giving them help and support.
"We should not be slamming them in a jail cell and locking them away."
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Asylum seekers on hunger strike
Two asylum seekers have sewn their lips together and started a hunger strike in Greenock Prison.
The men, a Russian and a Palestinian, were transferred to the jail from the Dungavel detention centre.
BBC News Online
The Scottish Socialist Party called on the Scottish Executive to make a statement on the use of Greenock Prison to hold asylum seekers.
SSP justice spokesman Colin Fox said Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson should address the Scottish Parliament as "a matter of urgency".
He said: "The use of Scottish jails to hold asylum seekers who have committed no offence and who have not been charged with any crime is an extremely serious development.
"The executive can no longer remain silent when its ministers are now directly involved in the way that asylum seekers are being treated in Scotland."
The men, a Russian and a Palestinian, were transferred to the jail from the Dungavel detention centre.
BBC News Online
The Scottish Socialist Party called on the Scottish Executive to make a statement on the use of Greenock Prison to hold asylum seekers.
SSP justice spokesman Colin Fox said Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson should address the Scottish Parliament as "a matter of urgency".
He said: "The use of Scottish jails to hold asylum seekers who have committed no offence and who have not been charged with any crime is an extremely serious development.
"The executive can no longer remain silent when its ministers are now directly involved in the way that asylum seekers are being treated in Scotland."
Monday, August 23, 2004
Socialist MSP's arrested at Faslane Blockade
BBC News Online
Four members of the Scottish Parliament have been arrested during an anti-nuclear protest at the Faslane naval base on the Clyde.
Scottish Socialist Party MSPs Rosie Kane and Frances Curran and Green MSPs Mark Ballard and Patrick Harvie were among dozens of people taken away.
Faslane is home to Britain's trident nuclear submarines.
Glasgow Evening Times
The Green Party's Mark Ballard was dragged away by police, followed by Scottish Socialist MSPs Rosie Kane and Frances Curran. Ms Kane was carrying a banner with the names of soldiers killed in Iraq, including Gordon Gentle from Glasgow.
The Scotsman
Glasgow MSP Rosie Kane returned to the proceedings after a break, and strapped herself to two teenage girls using homemade submarine-shaped tubing. Police moved in and Ms Kane and the girls were carried off by four officers. The MSP was charged with the same offences as her colleagues. She said: "I’m sick of our taxpayers’ money being spent on the arms race when housing, schools and public services in Scotland are in dire need of funding, and it’s time the electorate gave the politicians a kick in the ballot box."
Four members of the Scottish Parliament have been arrested during an anti-nuclear protest at the Faslane naval base on the Clyde.
Scottish Socialist Party MSPs Rosie Kane and Frances Curran and Green MSPs Mark Ballard and Patrick Harvie were among dozens of people taken away.
Faslane is home to Britain's trident nuclear submarines.
Glasgow Evening Times
The Green Party's Mark Ballard was dragged away by police, followed by Scottish Socialist MSPs Rosie Kane and Frances Curran. Ms Kane was carrying a banner with the names of soldiers killed in Iraq, including Gordon Gentle from Glasgow.
The Scotsman
Glasgow MSP Rosie Kane returned to the proceedings after a break, and strapped herself to two teenage girls using homemade submarine-shaped tubing. Police moved in and Ms Kane and the girls were carried off by four officers. The MSP was charged with the same offences as her colleagues. She said: "I’m sick of our taxpayers’ money being spent on the arms race when housing, schools and public services in Scotland are in dire need of funding, and it’s time the electorate gave the politicians a kick in the ballot box."
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Sheridan: Iraq troops must be brought home immediately
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 12/08/04
Sheridan: Iraq troops must be brought home immediately
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Tommy Sheridan tonight repeated the SSP’s longstanding call for Scottish troops to be brought home from Iraq immediately following the announcement that a soldier from the Black Watch has been killed in Basra.
Tommy said;
“Another young Scots life has been lost to this immoral and illegal war and occupation of Iraq.
“How many more young Scots must be blown to pieces in the name of Bush and Blair’s lies?
“All those Labour parliamentarians who lined up behind Blair in his support for the American imperialist onslaught against the people of Iraq must now step forward and admit that the price of their gutless surrender to George Bush is dead young Scots soldiers.
“In July the Gentle family and the community of Pollok had to bury their young son Gordon, now another Scots family and community are going to go through hell as they face the death of a loved one.
“The Iraq war and occupation has been an unmitigated disaster, surely Tony Blair must now realise that the troops must be brought home immediately.”
[ends]
Press Release: 12/08/04
Sheridan: Iraq troops must be brought home immediately
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Tommy Sheridan tonight repeated the SSP’s longstanding call for Scottish troops to be brought home from Iraq immediately following the announcement that a soldier from the Black Watch has been killed in Basra.
Tommy said;
“Another young Scots life has been lost to this immoral and illegal war and occupation of Iraq.
“How many more young Scots must be blown to pieces in the name of Bush and Blair’s lies?
“All those Labour parliamentarians who lined up behind Blair in his support for the American imperialist onslaught against the people of Iraq must now step forward and admit that the price of their gutless surrender to George Bush is dead young Scots soldiers.
“In July the Gentle family and the community of Pollok had to bury their young son Gordon, now another Scots family and community are going to go through hell as they face the death of a loved one.
“The Iraq war and occupation has been an unmitigated disaster, surely Tony Blair must now realise that the troops must be brought home immediately.”
[ends]
Monday, August 09, 2004
Tommy To Snub Queen At Parly
Sheridan: I'll boycott opening bash
Scottish Sun, 09/08/04
By ANDREW NICOLL, Scottish Political Reporter
SCOTTISH Socialist leader Tommy Sheridan and his party colleagues last night vowed to snub the Queen at the opening of Scotland's new Parliament building.
They plan to boycott the ceremony and leave their six seats at Holyrood empty in a protest against Royal pageantry.
Instead, they are planning an alternative "people's celebration" on the day.
News of the snub came as Mr Sheridan launched a scathing attack on the SNP after Parliament's Presiding Officer head George Reid accepted an appointment to the Queen's Privy Council.
The lifelong appointment will see Mr Reid titled "the Right Honourable" and allows him to add the letters PC after his name. Mr Sheridan said: “we have no wish to parade behind a feudal figurehead who symbolises elitism, privilege and deference and we find it frankly staggering that leading members of the SNP have become such ardent royalists.
"Can anyone take the SNP seriously now ? As a party they are committed to ending the union and yet here they are accepting royal patronage and desperate to tug their forelocks to the Queen at the lavish ceremony to open the politicians palace.
"Hundreds of members will be dismayed that their party has now become New SNP by Royal Appointment."
MSP's are barred from taking their seats unless they pledge allegiance to the Queen. But the Socialists made their oaths under protest.
MSP Colin Fox was ordered out during last years swearing in because he insisted on singing A Man's A Man and colleague Rosie Kane had the words "My oath is to the people" inked on her palm.
Scottish Sun, 09/08/04
By ANDREW NICOLL, Scottish Political Reporter
SCOTTISH Socialist leader Tommy Sheridan and his party colleagues last night vowed to snub the Queen at the opening of Scotland's new Parliament building.
They plan to boycott the ceremony and leave their six seats at Holyrood empty in a protest against Royal pageantry.
Instead, they are planning an alternative "people's celebration" on the day.
News of the snub came as Mr Sheridan launched a scathing attack on the SNP after Parliament's Presiding Officer head George Reid accepted an appointment to the Queen's Privy Council.
The lifelong appointment will see Mr Reid titled "the Right Honourable" and allows him to add the letters PC after his name. Mr Sheridan said: “we have no wish to parade behind a feudal figurehead who symbolises elitism, privilege and deference and we find it frankly staggering that leading members of the SNP have become such ardent royalists.
"Can anyone take the SNP seriously now ? As a party they are committed to ending the union and yet here they are accepting royal patronage and desperate to tug their forelocks to the Queen at the lavish ceremony to open the politicians palace.
"Hundreds of members will be dismayed that their party has now become New SNP by Royal Appointment."
MSP's are barred from taking their seats unless they pledge allegiance to the Queen. But the Socialists made their oaths under protest.
MSP Colin Fox was ordered out during last years swearing in because he insisted on singing A Man's A Man and colleague Rosie Kane had the words "My oath is to the people" inked on her palm.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Unions question minimum wage reform
Scotsman.com News - Politics - Unions question minimum wage reform: "Ritchie Venton, trade union organiser for the Scottish Socialist Party, called the prospect of a higher London rate 'the thin end of a dangerous wedge'.
'The next step would be to start arguing that where there are higher levels of unemployment, areas like Scotland, then there should be a lower minimum wage,' he said. "
'The next step would be to start arguing that where there are higher levels of unemployment, areas like Scotland, then there should be a lower minimum wage,' he said. "
Dungavel protest after asylum seeker’s alleged suicide
Dungavel protest after asylum seeker’s alleged suicide
At the Scottish protest, speakers included Socialist MSP Rosie Kane and Aamer Anwar, the human rights lawyer.
Ms Kane said: "Everyone who arrives at Dungavel is supposed to be checked by a doctor. What was done to assess the mental health of this obviously desperate young man? Someone should have spotted that he was a suicide risk and appropriate steps taken."
At the Scottish protest, speakers included Socialist MSP Rosie Kane and Aamer Anwar, the human rights lawyer.
Ms Kane said: "Everyone who arrives at Dungavel is supposed to be checked by a doctor. What was done to assess the mental health of this obviously desperate young man? Someone should have spotted that he was a suicide risk and appropriate steps taken."
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