Edinburgh Peace and Justice Resource Centre

Bride Nuclear Weapons Conventionor NWC for short, (aka KA) married Scotland, (aka
Alex) at the start of Scotland's Peace Walk in Gretna. The wedding was conducted by the rev Ainslie Walton who had travelled specially from his Glasgow parish to conduct the wedding. He said “As a Church of Scotland minister I am expressing the opposition of my church to the existence because they are unchristian and amoral from every point of view.”
In attendance were the mother of the bride, Women's International League for Peace and
Freedom, WILPF for short (aka Janet). Best man Non Proliferation Treaty NPT (aka Marcus) and witnessed by matron of honour Nukewatch (aka Jill) at the ceremony in which the couple made vows to love and uphold each other for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer till the end of our earthly lives - preferably not by mushroom cloud.

NWC promised that Scotland would be protected from:
-prosecution under international law
-possible terrorist attack
-waste of resources
-the shame of moral evil.

In return Scotland promised to:
-forgo nuclear weapons for ever
-oppose all nuclear bases on Scotland's soil
-support the efforts of NWC
-and work for a nuclear free future.

The deal was sealed with a spirited if less-than-tuneful rendition of Don't You Hear The Bombs Thunder and after the ceremony the bride and groom set off to start Footprints for Peace 2010 Scotland;s Peace Walk, following the routes taken carrying nuclear warheads in and out of Scotland. The march off was accompanied with the age old singing of We're Going to Keep onWalking Forward with great gusto rather than tonal quality.

SCOTLAND'S PEACE WALK

All welcome for an hour a day or the whole month

Footprints for Peace is a global community of friends which aims to educate inspire, and empower individuals and groups in building a sustainable future through the creation of moving communities of walkers. Several of the walkers took part in Scotland's Long Walk for Peace from Faslane to the Scottish Parliament in 2006.
Scotland's Peace Walk will take thirty days at an average of 15 miles per day to cross Scotland along the routes used to convey fully armed nuclear warheads through Scottish towns and villages.
WE don't want or need these weapons and the dangers they bring. We need resources used to create jobs, public services and to tackle climate change and the energy crisis.
Get involved by hosting and helping, walking and talking!
There is more info and a flier and registration form at www.footprints.net!

The Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre joins the world in condemning Israel's deadly attack on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Along with Scottish WILPF, we encourage those who care for peace and justice to act in ways that show their support for the beseiged Palestinian citizens of Gaza and those attempting to bring aid to them. This can be done through lobbying the Scottish and UK Government, writing to the Israeli Government and its allies in the US . We can demand that heed is paid the the UN Security Council and its Resolutions. Additionally we can publicly demonstrate in the streets. The Centre supports the proposed demonstration in Edinburgh at the foot of the Mound this Saturday at 2.00pm.

The Peace and Justice Centre has always condemned any use of violence, including retaliation; this also includes the violence in preventing people from accessing basic food, shelter and medical necessities. We seek to find alternative means of resolving conflict, and believe that dialogue, communication and mutually respectful negotiation can help to achieve this. That is why we supported the Scottish WILPF Song and Dance at Faslane for Nuclear Abolition Day, this Saturday and encouraged people to go there to support a global Nuclear Weapons Convention, like the Convention that banned the use of chemical weapons world wide.

After some discussion with Scottish WILPF, it has been agreed to go ahead with an event at Faslane, which will be smaller than originally planned. We are now suggesting that where groups had intended to attend, only one member goes to Faslane, and the others can help make a good presence in Edinburgh (and other cities where demonstrations are planned)

Peace and Justice Centre volunteer and Scottish WILPF member Penny Stone told us that
while she was working as internatiional observer on the West Bank earlier this year she witnessed an unnarmed civilian population that was threatened and attacked by Israeli soldiers on a daily basis. She added
“An unarmed civilian population. This attack on international unarmed civilians serves only to highlight the ongoing problem. The time is long overdue for the interbational community to act.”

The Faslane demonstration provides an important chance at this difficult time to consider the Israeli Government's denial of its own nuclear arsenal while scaremongering about the intentions of the government in Iran. We believe that the best hope for establishing a nuclear free zone in the middle east is the promotion of a Nuclear Weapons Convention.
A nuclear free middle east could provide stability and respect for international law. Those of us going to Faslane will be taking banners and placards designed to make the links, and the prisoners and victims of violence off the coast of Gaza as well as all those who live in Palestine and Israel will be in our thoughts.

Marie-Claire Faray-Kele, the Vice President of UK WILPF who is visiting the Peace and Justice Centre as the keynote speaker speaker at our AGM encouraged our actions with the following words: “Nuclear and conventional weapons epitomise the forces that would divide and destroy the world, they can only be overcome by solidarity, resilience and perseverance of ordinary citizens of good will everywhere working together and campaigning to transform hope into energy towards the realisation of a world free from the menace of nuclear and conventional weapons – thus creating a new era epitomised by peace and justice”.

Phil Lucas, member of the Centre's Management Committee added 'Having lived in Israel/Palestine for three months this year, I know that a growing number of both Israeli citizens and Jews around the world are uncomfortable with the agressive, disproportionate way its present government is dealing with those who oppose its policies towards the occupied Palestinina territories and Gaza in particular.  We must respond to this latest atrocity by encouraging our own government and that of the USA to take a much stronger stand against oppression, and to support those in Israel, Palestine and beyond who are working towards a peace which sees the rights of Jews and Arabs equally valued.'

7.00pm on TUES the 1st JUNE 2010
At this year’s Annual General Meeting we shall have the opportunity of getting a more intimate acquaintance with what it means to be a refugee or asylum seeker.
Marie-Clare Farey came to the UK a few years ago as a refugee from the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She has developed as an effective
campaigner and is an unusually able speaker, now active in working for peace in her homeland while based in London; she is well informed about Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's DRC branch, and how it works alongside WILPF UK.
P & J AGMs of both
Edinburgh Peace & Justice Resource Centre and
Edinburgh Peace Justice Education Centre
will be held at
at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh.
Copies of the Annual Reports will be available for examination in
advance during that day at the Centre.
Nominations for election to either management committee may be
made in writing by members and should be received
at the Centre by 7.00pm on Mon the 31st May 2010
Before hearing from Marie-Clare, there will be an input from one of the present asylum seekers being supported by Glasgow's Unity Centre who will deliver an up to the minute picture of the experience of seeking asylum in Scotland today
We all know that, one way and another, there are a lot of people who
are forced to leave their home-countries and find refuge elsewhere. Too often
this is seen as a threat, a ‘flood’, against which ‘elsewhere’ has to be defended.
This prevents us from understanding the situation in its totality, and ignorance is never a good basis for action. This is a chance to learn a great deal about one of the world’s most difficult problems.Don’t miss it.

Trident replacement breaches the International Non Proliferation Treaty (the review conference is happening at same time as election),
Fails to address good economic governance (we can't afford it),
Denies democracy (it is distinctly unwanted in Scotland where it is housed, undermines a move towards real (human) security,
Fails utterly as a response to terrorist threat,
Is illegal under international law,
Keeping Trident  - or any nuclear weapons - in a big pile has the potential for an accident that would accelerate climate change to the point where human extinction becomes inevitable,
The development of new weapons is using the resources and skills of the individuals and research departments that should be working on alternative technologies to deal with peak oil and carbon reduction.
And that's before we start on the moral issue. Tell the candidates

JAM for YER PEACE
David Ferrard, Stairheid Gossip, Penny Stone, Jim Aitken and Ghazi Hussein plus surprize guests and followed by a presentation on Israel Palestine at 7pm

Jam for Yer Peace is an informal end-of-the-month family session, a chance to connect with others, and share a song or a tune, a wee bit of spoken word and a wee bit of information, a way of building peace and justice in the community.
All welcome, and if you would like to contribute to the entertainment, please give your name at the desk on the way in.
Entry, including a simple supper, £8 (£5 conc)
Henderson's at St John's
(next door to the Peace & Justice Centre on The Terrace at St John's Church)
For the April event,we will be joined by:
SINGERS David Ferrard, Stairheid Gossip, Penny Stone and
POETS Jim Aitken and Ghazi Hussein who will read their own work
This month we are finishing up a little bit early (6.30 instead of 7.00) because this event will be followed by Penny Stone giving a presentation on her recent experience in Israel/Palestine with the Ecumenical Accompaniment programme. Penny's talk will be well illustrated, inclede songs, and there will be opportunities for questions and discussion and promises to be a lively event, starting sharp at 7.00pm

By coming to a Jam for Yer Peace, you are helping to raise funds for the Centre in a way that can also entertain you and provide a great opportunity to practice 80/20 eating - an important action for Climate Change that only requires us to enjoy 80% seasonal local food and make sure the 20% of extras – coffee, chocolate, olive oil or bananas, for instance are fair-traded!
Come along, contribute to the entertainment, or just sit back and enjoy!
is an informal end-of-the-month family session, a chance to connect with others, and share a song or a tune, a wee bit of spoken word and a wee bit of information, a way of building peace and justice in the community.
All welcome, and if you might like to contribute to the entertainment, give your name at the desk on the way in.
For the April event,we will be joined by singers David Ferrard, Stairheid Gossip,Penny Stone and poets Jim Aitken and Ghazi Hussein who will read their own work

We are finishing up a little bit early (6.30 instead of 7.00) because this event will be followed by Penny Stone giving a presentation on her recent experience in Israel/Palestine with the Ecumenical Accompaniment programme. Penny's talk will be well illustrated, and there will be opportunities for questions and discussion and promises to be a lively event, starting sharp at 7.00pm

Entry, including a simple supper, £8 (£5 conc)
Henderson's at St John's
(next door to the Peace & Justice Centre,
the terrace, St John's, Princes Street, Edinburgh)

Helping to raise funds for the Centre can also entertain you and provide a great opportunity to practice 80/20 eating - an important action for Climate Change that only requires us to enjoy 80% seasonal local food and make sure the 20% of extras – coffee, chocolate, olive oil or bananas, for instance are fair-traded!

Come along, contribute to the entertainment, or just sit back and enjoy!

We hope to engage a freelance Administrative Assistant - Click on - About The P&J

At Faslane this Easter Saturday April 3rd Trident Ploughshares is organising a Symbolic Blockade of the Nuclear Submarine Base as part of a European Day of Action to ban nuclear weapons. At every European NATO nuclear weapons base in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Belgium, nonviolent actions will make European resistance to nuclear weapons visible.
Meet at Faslane Peace Camp at 12noon. Walk to the North Gate starts at 12.30 pm sharp. Symbolic blockade (non-arrestable) of Faslane North Gate from 1pm. Scottish Clergy Against Nuclear Arms (SCANA) will host a communion service at 1.15pm. Hot drinks provided. Bring a picnic, cakes to share, your friends, music and creativity, and signs of hope for a world without nuclear weapons.
Getting there. Take the train from Glasgow Queen St to Helensburgh Central. Then the 316 Bus from Princes St (just across from the Helensburgh train station half a block to the left). The bus waits for the train so you have to go straight out to catch it. Alight at Faslane Peace Camp. Cars will also meet the train to ferry people to the start of the walk.
There will be a unique chance to take part in a blockade without the risk of getting arrested. In response to our letter notifying the base that we will be blockading the Senior Police officer at Faslane has told us that the North Gate will be closed and there will be no attempt to clear the entrance.
If we ever want to get rid of those nuclear weapons, European governments have to take initiatives now. It's now or never!
Join in making European resistance to nuclear weapons visible.
As we head toward the NPT Rreview Conference in New York in May momentum is building for the abolition of nuclear weapons. In Japan more than five million people have signed a petition calling for nuclear weapons to be banned. Let's show that the demand for disarmament is as strong as ever here in Scotland.
More details from tp2000@gn.apc.org

Here are the arrangements for those traveling to the national demo in Edinburgh on 13 March, plus some updated info.
Assembly will be at the Scottish Parliament at 11.00 on the grass area towards the park.
March off at 11.30, setting off up the Royal Mile
The Rally will be in the Grassmarket at 12.15

- TRAINS will probably be on strike on the day, ie not running.
- PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUSES TO EDINBURGH to the bus station as usual. Get to parliament by exiting bus station to Princes Street, turn left into Leith Street, left again into Calton Road, turn right when you get to the end of Calton Road and you will see the Parliament at the bottom of the Royal Mile. Walking down the Royal Mile could be difficult, see below (PEDESTRIANS)
- PRIVATE BUSES WITH PASSES will drop off at the Holyrood Palace and Parkcar park,in Holyrood park opposite the Parliament. These buses will then park up in King's Stables Road adjacent to the Grasmarket which is where they can be boarded after the rally for the return journey.
- CAR PARKING This car park is managed by Historic Scotland and controlled by the Royal Park Constabulary and is not normally available to visitors to the Parliament. A small number of spaces will be allocated for our use and if you need one, please get in touch with Peace & Justice Centre asap with details inc. registration number. Please do not use this car park without prior confirmation.
There is presently work going on around the entire perimeter of the parliament (inc lower section of the royal mile) and a trough is dug up.
Difficult and expensive at the best of times, parking anywhere in the area is not recommended!
Parking at the multi-story can park in Castle Terrace is very close to the rally in the Grassmarket, and there is access to and from this car park in King's Stables Road as well as Castle Terrace.The route for walking to starting point for the march is along the Grassmarket, along the Cowgate past Dynamic earth where the route to the assembly point will be signed. (This walk takes approximately 15 minutes)
Those approaching down the Royal Mile should turn left after Royal Mile School - the route will be signed
-TIRED PEDESTRIANS If you want to get to the parliament from somewhere in Edinburgh, the bus which goes there is the number 35. Details of route and times can be found at
http://lothianbuses.com/r35.php
WEE GENERAL UPDATE
In addition to the First Minister Alex Salmond, our wonderful Protest In Harmony singers (don'tcha love 'em) and the speakers mentioned on the flier, broadcaster Lesley Riddoch is joining the platform to give us some feisty words, and the super.r.r.rb Commotion drummers will be out in their women's colours kilts,so every chance of us all being heard us in Edinburgh Castle!
Still looking for extra stewards, knowledge of Edinburgh an advantage but not essential, if you can help please email with your mob no. and be prepared to turn up a wee bit early.
The edinbuggers are looking forward to a big turn out on the day!
Mind yer banners so we know where you are all from.
More fliering, postering, talking, facebooking, and general bigging it up to be done in the last coupla weeks, please contact us if you are willing to help out
Publicity materials available3 from P&J in Edinburgh or SCND office for you westcoasters.
Hope this helps
- HELP NEEDED! Please get in touch if you would like any further info
mob 07795594573

Website: www.mesp.org.uk

From Friday 5 March - Thursday 18 March 2010 the 7th Annual Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace, MESP 2010, will bring together people from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds, people working with peace, conflict, reconciliation and justice, educators, teachers, scholars and students, people from artistic and cultural backgrounds, people working with health, well-being and healing experiences and concerns, people from diverse cultures, traditions and communities and people froma across the Scotland and internationally. more generally, everyone participates in an individual and non representative capacity, to allow people to draw upon their own experiences and to share their unique visions and perspectives, and people of all backgrounds who respect the Festival ethos are warmly invited to participate in this spiritual, educational, artistic and cultural and international festival which celebrates peace and mutual understanding. There will also be pre events in the weeks before (you can search these in www.mesp.org.uk), including a Middle Eastern Film Festival and exhibitions and displays, and some may want to participate in some events in a CPD capacity