Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre

The Pleasance Cabaret bar was the venue for a packed and lively celebration for International Womens Day, organised by Gude Cause as part of the lead up to the re-enactment of the Women's walk for suffrage which took place along Edinburgh's Princes Street in 1909. The programme was compered by the P & J's first co-ordinator, Kathy Galloway, the present leader of the Iona Community, who made no bones about the links between the struggle for universal suffrage and equality, and women's desire for peace and justice, with the continuing importance of direct action in that struggle high on the agenda.
The concert opened with Penny Stone leading an irresistible African women's call (and response) to work, leading into an evening of songs and music as eclectic as the assembled audience, with soulful Klezma, assembled choirs, with material freshly written for the occasion as well as songs and tunes drawn from far away or long ago.
The organisation, numbers and the enthusiasm augur well for Gude Cause which was launched in the Scottish Parliament on the 9th October 2008, at an event hosted by Marlyn Glen and chaired by Joyce Macmillan. Gude Cause are organising the re-enactment of the 1909 procession on the 10th October this year, which was supported in a motion made by the City of Edinburgh Council on 15th April 2008.
Gude Cause Committee members meet with the Edinburgh Council transport chiefs today to continue discussion of the route in the context of the tramworks in Edinburgh.
The concert line up included Wildfire,Eileen Penman, Mae Shaw, Stairheid Gossip, Protest in Harmony, Alison McMorland, Gica Loening, Raise Yer Hem, Mhaire Campbell.... and many more.